Start swimming

I've had my PM for 8 weeks and would love to start swimming. I've never been a competitive swimmer but love the serenity of having my ears submerged in water and the repetitive nature of laps. I've been good about not raising my arm over my head for 2 months, but feel like I'm ready to start swimming. However, I'm a little bit afraid of the pulling motion of the strokes. Naturally, I'll ask my doctor first, but I'm just wondering about those of you in the trenches so to speak and what your experience has been. Any recommendations?

By the way, I love this group. It's so nice to hear anecdotal evidence--things doctors don't or won't discuss with us.

Happy New Year and blessings of good health to you all!

Bev

6 Comments

swimming

by me2 - 2012-01-02 01:01:06

I've had a pacemaker for close to 2 years. Started swimming laps as soon as cardiac rehab was over. Rehab lasted 3 months. I swim the breast stroke and do about one third mile 3 times a week. I'm 76 and the exercise helps keep me fit.
me2

swimming

by aldeer - 2012-01-02 10:01:53

I started at five weeks...should have waited at least one more week because my pm moved down. Some doctors do not want you to swim...depends how long of a lead wire they left in and where the pm is located. A couple of times I had a sharp cramp over the pm, so just stopped for the day....I have been swimming for over 4 years with it now and really enjoy the exercise. Happy New Year...hope it is a great one for you. aldeer

Swimmer

by richan - 2012-01-03 10:01:00

Hi,
I have been involved with competitive swimming since the mid 50's. When I received my PM (a bit of a downer), my cardio told me that I should wait 8 weeks before reaching with my left arm - took me a while to get back my range of motion. before I had the PM placed, I talked with my cardio and told him what I wanted to accomplish - he placed longer leads ( I have a slight "buldge" next to the outline of my PM). Some PM's have limitations. Mine is a Boston Scientific (Guidant) which triggers from a motion sensor while walking/running etc - body being upright). While being prone in the swimming pool, that sensor doesn't always kick in. So, there is another sensor that triggers from breathing. Faster breathing will increase heartrate. When I am doing interval sets, I have to hyperventilate as fast as I can between send-offs. Eventually, about half way (or longer) into the work-out, I finally am able to keep up with the rest of my lane-mates. It takes a while to get a sustained higher BPM.
Anyhow, it is much better than not having a PM. Way better!

Hang in there,

Richan

Thank you

by nuhealth - 2012-01-03 12:01:50

I want to thank all of you for your responses. While not competitive, swimming is just one of my favorite exercises.

Richan: you answered another question I had but didn't actually post; that is re: heart rate. Since I can't swim yet, I've been walking with a heart monitor on. It used to be that I could walk with an average HR of 130. Now, I find that it's difficult to get past HR of 95, and at that rate, I'm completely out of breath.

@me2: no one mentioned cardiac rehab to me, so I'm hoping I can just try the pool. I'll listen carefully to my body's inner wisdom.

Regardless, I have put a call to my cardiologist this morning. We'll see what he has to say. Again, thanks for your stories and help.

Bev

go for it bev!

by Hot Heart - 2012-01-05 04:01:10

at first i was really nervous and didnt pushj my left arm too much, now......i love just thrashing around in the pool doing the backstroke.

Once the wires are bedded in it would take a real disaster to pull them out.

Re being out of breath, have you got your rate response on??? it made such a difference to me!!

HH

Swim Hard and enjoy

by OldImer - 2012-01-18 04:01:10

I am nearly 69 and have been a competitive swimmer most of my life.Had a pacemaker inserted almost 4 years ago because of bradycardia. Got back in the water as soon as the incision was healed and slowly got back to swimming.Within 3 months I was competing again and have been at it ever since. I workout with a masters team and swim very hard practices.Only problem I have ever had is that I sometimes get a small swelling in the arm next to the pacemaker area after a hard workout. It quickly goes away and the Docs have told me not to worry about it.Never have had any problem with the pacemaker or leads.If the Doc says you can swim, go for it. It is the best form of exercise.

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A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.