slow cardio

Just got a pacemaker on June 7, 2011 (6 days ago)--primarily because a very slow heart rate (brachycardia).  I pretty much rested for a few days then started doing 30 minutes of slow cardio (burned about 340 calories) on my recom. bike. Took bp and heart rate after--hr was 79. Today I did 45 minutes of pretty easy cardio (burned 400 calories approximately)--took bp and hr 3 minutes after--heart rate = 79. I felt some heart "flutters" after today’s exercise session-- never felt these before ever!

questions

1.  Am I just doing cardio at too slow a pace?  Should I be doing cardio this soon?
2.  Is my Medtronics pm set at 60-140?
3.  I still have lightheadedness symptoms now and then and feel tired in the afternoons. Is this to be expected or a function of the setting of the pacemaker?  I go to the pacemaker lab this next friday--what are good questions to ask the technicians?
4.  What are these "heart flutters"????

Sorry about the disjointed nature of this post. I have so many questions-- hard to write a quality post.

7 Comments

New Pacemaker Questions

by SMITTY - 2011-06-13 03:06:11

Hello Biceps,

Welcome to the Pacemaker Club.

So far as I know there are no limitations on exercise a few days after getting a pacemaker, so long as that exercise doesn’t involve arm and shoulder movement. As for the pace, since we do not know if there are any issues, other than bradycardia, with your heart this is one for your Dr.

Your PM could have almost any low and high settings. I see people say their’s are low 45 to 70 and highs 110 to 140. Mine were 80 and 130, so again it is your Dr call. I will add that often times the initial settings are changed during your first visit.

Heart flutters or arrhythmia, is not uncommon after getting a pacemaker or having any procedure involving the heart. I’ve had many different heart procedures over the last 25 years (ranging from bypass surgery to stents, pacemakers and heart caths) and I think I have had arrhythmia to some degree after each. Most of mine have been short lived, a few weeks to a few months, and some think they found a home, but all eventually go away.

As for questions to ask, for starters take the four questions you asked here and see what answers you can get. I would suggest that you will get better answers from your Dr than from a technician. It has been my experience that nurse/technicians doing checkups are not always well versed in all things about a PM, but will give an answer of some kind rather than being honest and saying "I don’t know."

The lightheadedness and fatigue may indicate a need for some changes in your PM but that too depends on other heart issues you may have, if there are any.

One last thing. You never have to apologize for the quality of your post. Hang around for a while and you will see the quality of what many of us offer as replies.

Good luck to you,

Smitty

Exercise

by Pookie - 2011-06-13 03:06:30

Hi Biceps:)

It's just my opinion, but I think you're trying to get back into exercising a bit too quickly. But what do I know, I'm not a doctor.

Keep in mind that when we receive our pacemakers they are usually implanted with default settings until you have your first "interrogation" so perhaps your upper setting is not high enough. Let them know just how much exercise you like to do and they will know whether to adjust the settings or not. And be careful, especially with your arms as you wouldn't want to pull out a lead which would require your going for another surgery. Usually it takes a good 6-8 weeks for the lead to settle in.

I too felt extremely tired and a lot of other members also write about having to take an afternoon nap. I guess it's our bodies telling us to slow down after all you are still in the healing stage.

You asked if your settings are at 60 & 140; only the PM tech will know that so ask if you can have a copy of the print out. It will give you a lot of information, however, a lot of it won't make sense but we have a few members who are pretty smart in helping decipher what it all means. And on that print out you will see what your lower and upper settings are. I always encourage people to ask for these printouts (if possible, because I know some hospitals/clinics won't) because then you can follow any changes that have been made and if you ever have a problem, you can refer back and see what adjustments were made.

I think if I were you I'd just take up walking until you get to talk this over with the professionals.

Take care and welcome to the site:)

Pookie

Depends

by ElectricFrank - 2011-06-14 02:06:31

You probably haven't had a checkup as yet where the pacemaker is programed for your needs. During this period you can have a lot of symptoms that are related to the setting not being optimum.

Some facilities let you go that way for a number of weeks for their convenience. I called them had my adjusted in only about 10 days after the implant. Make all the difference.

frank

Poss too early

by climber - 2011-06-14 05:06:56

I had my PM fitted last October. I was told not to excercise for 6 weeks after op. I started running again after that, with no real problems. As the months have gone by, I have felt palps when I'm pushing my self up-hill whilst mountain walking or running. I may need my upper stetting higher. I'm having my 2nd offical PM check today, I'll see what the PM tech says. Stay with it, it takes time.

thanks

by biceps72 - 2011-06-14 11:06:27

what a great group thid is!!!! I go to the PM lab this next Friday; will fill everyone in on what happens. I am and have been an exercise freak my entire life. Probably because of that I have no other cardiac issues except brachacardia (at least that we know of (passed the stress EKG, etc. My cardiologist was very pleased with my physical conditioning byt DID NOT ME LIFTING WEIGHTS FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS. He told me I could do cardio but wanted me to nake sure my left elbow aleays stays below my left shoulder. I am actually excited about going to the PM lab because I still don't feel perfect (probably shouldn't expect to either at least for awhile).

This is a great group as previously mentioned but one thing needs to be pointed out as most of you know. Literally 1000s of people are doing "perfectly" well with their PM (I have talked to 2 (man and a woman, bothy ounger than me and almost ridiculouslt physically active). Thesae 2 individuals gave me great hope BUT they don't know about this site-- THEY ARE TOO BUSY LIVING A NORMAL LIFE. -- there could be a forum entitled "I have a PM and it gave me back my life so I love it!"


My point is a simple one. This group is unlikely a good cross section of people that have PMs. It is likely made up of newbies (like me) scared to death and full odf questions, people that are still having medical issues that may or may not be related to their PMs and finally the "experienced" people that have had PMs for a while and have pretty much seen or heard of it all with respect to PMs BUT STtILL TAKE TIME TO POST COMMENTS an their opinions.

I thank you all; your comments help us newbies get over the shocking and scarey revelation thart we have a PM..

biceps72

I agree

by ElectricFrank - 2011-06-15 02:06:19

There is another group of folks who have pacers and have just accepted that they will be limited for the rest of their life. Many could do much better if they had a doc who understood the pacer. This isn't the only place to get info, but is a good one.

Then there are several of us who enjoy helping folks.

enjoy,

frank

the theme

by smithlink42 - 2013-12-26 06:12:25

the theme of the site is really good and reflecting the scene in true sense. I like it! fitnash health

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

Member Quotes

Hi, I am 47 and have had a pacemaker for 7 months and I’m doing great with it.