Arm motion limitations?

I know everyone has asked this but why no military presses (pushing weights above our heads)?  Does this also go for regular arm movements or martial arts? Just curious. I was told I could wear out the wires with my pacemaker?  Could somebody please assist me with this. Confused 44 year old.
Thank you.

4 Comments

depends who you ask!

by Tracey_E - 2010-10-29 02:10:55

For the first 6-8 weeks, definitely restrict your arm movements as it's possible to dislodge the leads. After that, it depends who you ask. Some drs are more conservative than others! Depending on how's it's placed and your build, it's possible to get a kink in the lead and need it replaced. I had this happen to me. I still got 15 yrs out of the lead, I had it 10 yrs before it showed up impeded and I was able to use it another 5 yrs after that. I guess it's possible if I'd had a more conservative dr who told me not to do so much that it might not have happened, but then again there's no evidence that my activities caused it either. And in reality if I'd been told to hold back I probably wouldn't have listened, lol. And no, I'm not babying my new lead either! I'm living my life and not worrying about it. That's just me, your mileage may vary :o) Ask your dr, do your research for yourself, and decide what's right for you.

The risk with martial arts is taking a direct hit to the pm. It's not likely you'll hurt the pm but it will HURT. Your skin isn't nearly as tough as that hunk of titanium in there. The general recommendation is not to spar if you have a pm. There are several companies that make protective shirts for sports. Again, do your homework and decide what's right for you, there is no one answer as to what's best.

Join the Club

by Creaky - 2010-10-29 10:10:07

There are many posts on this subject. As I am just beginning this post pacemaker journey myself I am no expert. Ronaldo has suggested that we each ask our health care folks questions EVERY time we see them, and share any info gained with the members here.
Hopefully this sharing will help all of us make the most of our situation.
As a former martial arts practitioner (Aikido/TaeKwonDo), my first guess would be that the rapid arm extensions and stretching and "hard" falls could potentially pull out or damage the leads. I understand that there is also a difference depending on which vein they used for access. In my case it is the Cephalic Vein. Look up the anatomy of the veins online. Some people have posted that there can be pressure on the leads between the clavicle and the upper rib. I don't know. It seems to me the head of the Humerus is more likely to press on the leads.
Good luck, stay in touch, and don't rush the recovery.
Harry

Primary concern: the leads

by Edouard - 2010-10-29 12:10:22

Creaky has a point that it is important not to do anything that might displace the leads, particularly in the first few weeks following surgery.
I'm curious. Were you told not to do these exercises for 6 weeks to two months after surgery, or were you told never to do them again - ever?
I apologize to any reader who has read my story before. I was admitted to hospital on Friday night of a long weekend. I therefore had plenty of time to express my concerns about continuing my competitive swimming lifestyle. The EP, the cardiologist, the floor supervisor, the nurses were all quite reassuring that I could continue without problem, as long as I spent 6 weeks not swimming, to give the leads time to settle. I met my surgeon, a young girl just out of kindergarden, about 20 minutes before surgery. She told me that my swimming days were over. Her exact words were: "In life, the are tough choices to be made". I did not react well. On my insistence, she checked with her supervisor and came back to announce that she would make a cephalic vein insersion rather than the usual sub-clavian entry. I took this to mean that I would be able to swim afterwards. I've been back in the water since late July and last week competed in my first race since the operation.
Just a suggestion: you might want to check with your local YMCA. They sometimes have programs geared specifically for heart patients. Your hospital may also have a partnership set up with a fitness center. I know that this is the case for the Montreal Heart Institute, which has set up the Centre EPIC for its patients.
I hope things work out for you.
Best wishes and good luck
Edouard

Newbie questions

by dlt21 - 2010-11-13 03:11:16

Hi
I just had PM installed 9 days ago. I am seeing the doctor on monday for first check up. I usually workout everyday so this is rough time. I guess 6-8 weeks is normal time frame for not lifting left arm above heart. My question is can you do any exercise ,eliptical ,treadmill or any light weight exercises like curls,
how about situps ??

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