New at this

I am 30 years old, I am a rock climber and love swimming and Hiking. Little bit of an extremist... Wel I had to have a pacemaker dual chamber inserted as my heart rate dropped to 8 beats per m. So it seems the inner body went extreme, I am stuck with this. I have no idea what I'm allowed to do, swim, climb or nothing at all. It is frustrating. All the girl in the Dr's room said was not to pick up my arm too high or I might pull out a wire and they had to do the whole procedure over again. So here I am eating and eating.... If I try to exercise it feels like my breath was knocked out of me, and I am left gasping for air with the world spinning around. I get pale and sweaty... I really need help or info....

8 Comments

Everyone is different

by travlin50 - 2010-12-10 05:12:16

You will be able to return to your outdoor life, it will just take some time. Some people feel better right away and others take several months or even a year to feel better. When did you have your pacemaker surgery? You are young and must be very fit, so I would imagine your recovery will be fast and you should get you life back soon. Your doctor will tell you when you can start to exercise again. Wish you all the best.

go back

by Tracey_E - 2010-12-10 08:12:06

How long have you had it? The restrictions on raising your arm are usually only for 6-8 weeks until you heal, after that you should be able to get back to your regular activities.

If you are getting out of breath so quickly on exertion, odds are good your settings need adjusted. The settings they send us home with are rarely appropriate for someone young and active and it's common to need them tweaked. Ask about it at your next check and tell them what's happening. If that doesn't take care of it, ask to get on a treadmill and let them watch what happens to your heart with exercise, that was a huge help getting mine fine tuned. I do whatever I want now! I hike, ski, roller blade, work out with weights.

Good luck! If you have more questions, please let us know. Most drs don't have many (if any!) young active patients but there are a lot of us here.

Activities

by mike thurston - 2010-12-11 11:12:18

Wow - 2 heart attacks at 30 - that is a lot to deal with. I have had 2 heart attacks, 1 at 42 and a 2nd big one at 48. Currently I am in permanent a-fib and 100 % PM dependent with a defib. A third of my heart muscle was lost. I climb, road ride, mountain bike and weight lift. I am not great at any of these things but still enjoy myself. I take lots of meds and have to push but it is worth it. Not knowing your exact issues and not being a Doctor I can't offer a medical opinion but I would certainly want to remain active and would probably find a Doctor who is open to that as long as it is reasonable.
Best wishes,
Mike

Thank you

by Mindover - 2010-12-11 12:12:52

I had my operation on the 5th of November 2010. Not that long ago, I had 2 heart attacks. The specialist said to forget about my activities. The alternative I guess is walking once they ajusted the rate as you say. I know it is set on 60 beats permanently and my rate during the day is around 60 to 70 beats.

Wil have to wait for them all to get back from christmas leave, thank you.

Climbing

by bigtony46 - 2010-12-12 04:12:02

Iv had my pacemaker three years and it made little differance to my sporting activities.
I work out in the gym taking my heart rate to 190bpm,climbed to 18000 feet and going to 21500 feet soon.
The only thing Iv been advised not to do is heavy contact sports and they dont know how PMs perform at altitude at -30c and bellow.
Best Wishes
If it feels right do it.
Tony

Sport activities

by westies2803 - 2010-12-12 05:12:43


Hi Mindover

I got my PM in April 2010 and have found that within reason I have been able to return to Running & gymn execise without too many problems.

I have recently run my first 1/2 marathon, my only problem was ensuring that I kept hydrated, otherwise it was possible to get dizzie spells.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Wesries2803

Just keep trying

by christ1381 - 2010-12-15 12:12:58

I got my first pacemaker at 28 in July 0f 2008, and I was in the gym for full activity by end of August. Truthfully, I blew out my knee that October playing football :P and that recovery has been far harder. Just keep in there

Slow down a little bit

by GQ - 2011-03-01 04:03:15

I'm 42 and I just to go to the gym everyday. I got a pacemaker last year and since then I got my leads replaced twice. I just got them replaced two weeks ago. Either the weight i was using was too heavy or the movement was abrupt.
Now, I will start slowly and see the results. I just don't want to give up my life style that sudden. I still feel young.

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