New to this

Hello,

I am a 49yr old male, US Army Combat Engineer. Until 11 September, 2011 I was an avid street bicyclist of 20+ miles atleast three times per week, located at the US Army Sergeant's Majors Academny (Student), Fort Bliss, Texas.

On 8 September 2011. I collapsed in the instructor's office without warning and was taken to the emergency room. The Sierra Medical (ER) El Paso, TX., told me nothing was wrong with me, but just in case go see a cardiologist.

That day, 8 September. I went to see the Academy physician and he gave me an EKG that said I was a 49yr old healthy male. with no cardiac issues. He then stated "I will have a cardiologist to call you in 3-5 days, to see if they want to see you".

On, 12 September, I was walking across the physical fitness field, after a light 30 minute workout, and feeling fine. The next thing I feel is somebody picking me up off the ground. Due to being afraid of being drop from the Academy, I stated I was fine. The instructor stood me up and looked me in the face with a strange concerned look and said "Rob, no you are not, you are going to the ER".

On 12 September, approximately 1.5 hours after collapsing, I arrived at the ER and the doctor was saying he could only see a 1st degree av block and 59 BPM.

Then, as I am told, I had an attack and my heart rate dropped to 25 BPM and I went from 1st degree mobitz one to 3rd degree mobitz two.

On the evening of 12 September, William Boemont Medical Center, El Paso, TX, implanted a temporary pacemaker and a permanent pacemaker on 13 September, with a pacing of 71 BPM due to the fact my normal pacing without a PM was 36 BPM.

Now, my color is back, I do not get fatigued so easily, but I am now concerned about the future with the Army and what I can do so far as exercise. I am walking, with normal limitations of post implant surgery.

Looking back the cardiologist stated I had been walking around with atleast a 2nd Degree AV Block mobitz type I for a couple years or more. The ER physician and cardiologist both stated I just happened to be in an ER when the 3rd degree occured.

Any comments?

4 Comments

Welcome

by MSPACER - 2011-09-18 03:09:34

You should be able to return to cycling in about a month or so. I'm an avid cyclist as well. I started to ride again about four weeks post implant. You may still have some pain in the are when you hold onto the handlebars.

Speak to your doctor, but you should be able to exercise with no problem after you have recovered. You're just lucky that you got your pacemaker in time!

Getting back out there

by Tac - 2011-09-19 06:09:56

After surgery the Dr restricted my road riding for 8 weeks and my mnt bike riding 12 weeks. The Dr concern was that I might fall and pull my leads out. I have never fallen on the rd bike but the seed had been planted. So I began running and continue to do so and I have resumed my biking activities (I have still not fallen on the rd bike but can not say the same about the the mnt bike).

On the low end the PM paces at 45 to a max of 150. After a year of increasing conditioning my max hr is hitting the high 170s.

I see no reason you shouldn't continue to gain strength and excel in your career.

Good luck in your recovery!

Looking for clues, bones, hints???

by Robparsons - 2011-09-24 03:09:25

Blessed with the Cylos DR-T PM by BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG on 13 September 2011, due to a 26 BPM issue.

Do Schwinn Evolution Comp, stationary bike, to keep my legs strong and in two more weeks will use it for upper body strength and endurance.

Avid triathlete, until 12 September 2011, but plan to get with it again. In addition, some favorite training regimes are CrossFit and PX90.

Goal: Start and finish the Transmountain Marathon, El Paso, Texas Spring 2012.

1) Anybody foresee issues with these exercise regimes?

2) Is there some type of heart monitor, for exercise, the Biotronik PM's will not interfere with?

3) Can you suggest a link or PM exercise website considered safe for PM patients?

Rob Parsons

PM vs. HR Monitor

by Robparsons - 2011-11-29 12:11:42

Not sure what happened, but after they adjusted the PM my Polar HR monitor works without any problems. Go figure.

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

Member Quotes

Sometimes a device must be tuned a few times before it is right. My cardiologist said it is like fine tuning a car.