How much exercise should I do

Hi all,

I've had a bi-ventricular pacemaker for almost a year now (due to LBBB and slight arrhythmia) and I'm looking for some advice on exercise. Should I be pushing myself to do more exercise (which is what I'd like to do) or should I be respecting my condition and taking it easy. I'm 57 years old and would like to try and keep up with the grandchildren (if possible). My cardio when questioned on the subject just said exercise responsibly. I would greatly welcome any advice. Thank you.

4 Comments

Hmmmmn

by mike thurston - 2011-08-12 04:08:29

Hey Baz,
Sort of have to follow your instincts. I had two MI's in my 40's the second one at 48 years old took out 1/3rd of my heart and now at 59 and years of issues , procedures, trouble etc. etc. here I sit. in permanent a-fib, totally ablated, 1 stent, a pacemaker and defib, 100 % dependent and running off a 3 volt batt. set up in Cardiac resync. theraphy. despite this i have tried to be very active all along. I road bike, mountain bike, rock climb, lift weights, swim. I am very slow and get pretty winded going uphill on singletrack or road. I have not done anything but top roping since getting my PM but hope to lead climb again someday. My knees are real bad and in some ways they hold me back more than the cardiac issues. I don't know if it is smart or not to do all this but I do know I enjoy it and that is the times I feel most alive and least concerned about my issues or dying. After all I will die one way or another so I might as well do what i want as long as I am not endangering anyone else. If I asked 10 Doctors what they thought I would get lots of different answers I am sure from stop to go for it. Start slow, build up, pay attention and have fun is what I think. One thing about exercising a lot - I am sure I will notice fairly quickly if my issues deteriorate as I am in tune with what i can normally handle. Just my thoughts.

Cardiac Athletes

by mike thurston - 2011-08-12 04:08:48

Forget to mention this great site for inspiration regarding Heart Patients and exercise.

cardiacathletes.org

Check it Out.

as much

by biceps72 - 2011-08-12 11:08:52

as you can do provided you feel well.

If it feels good

by Sunny70 - 2011-08-16 03:08:51

Im a 69 yr old female but more like a 50 yr old. My cardiologist said as long as you feel ok doing it ...go for it. I have a biotronik 2 lead. I have brady/tachy and have had my pm since July 8, 2011. I feel fine and want to skydive and zipline. Doc said no reason I cant but cant figure out why I'd jump from a perfectly good airplane.lol I wont be doing any of those until 2012 however as that is when I had planned to do them. I felt him telling me if I felt fine doing it was a reasonable answer but everyones situation is different. Figure Im going to make the most of this blip in the radar.He also told me to try not to think about the pacemaker and just consider it a backup. Works for me:)
Good luck.

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You trust technology more than your heart.

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