Stamina

Hey everyone

My question is around stamina and physical exertion   I was in relatively good shape prior to my pacemaker implant last year. I am currently active with walking and leisurely bike riding but when I try to exert my self I am so quickly out of breath and my muscles ache and feel like they are starved for oxygen. I want to believe I am just out of shape but something tells me it more than that. Has anyone else experienced this??I believe my heart block was triggered by exercise in the first place but I thought this would be a non issue now that I'm paced 

Thank for any advice. 

 

 

3 Comments

upper limit

by Tracey_E - 2017-07-06 08:23:37

It sounds like you might be bumping your upper limit. When it happens, count your pulse. I'd be willing to bet it's exactly 120 or 130.  With av block, our sinus node works normally but sometimes the signal doesn't get to the ventricles. The pacer will make sure the ventricles keep up, but they can only pace as high as  the programmed upper limit. They often send us home with an upper limit of 120-130 which is fine if you are older and sedentary, not enough if you are young and active. What happens is we work out and the atria gets up to 140 (or whatever) but the pacer is only getting the ventricles to 120 and it feels exactly as you described. Call and ask to be seen, or if you have a home monitor hit the button to initiate a download and tell them when it happened. It's an easy diagnosis and fix. 

Stamina

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-07-06 08:46:17

I agree with both comments written.  Cardiac Rehab is an excellent means for monitored, measured exercise to rebuild your body. I got my upper limit raised form 130 to 150 and added the pm's rate drop resonse. These adjusted setting have helped a lot.

Recognize that there may be another issue besides heart rate.   Check for low or dropping blood pressure. After I recognized this as an issue and adjusted my actions I can function much better. Getting too hot, running and standing too quickly after bending over are issues for me.  Also, hydration is very important.  Most of us do not hydrate properly.

Thank you everyone

by ljoyce - 2017-07-07 14:26:43

This is all great information. Thank you to all who replied. I will ask the clinic about these options for rehab and settings. Hopefully it's an easy fix and I can fully participate in an active lifestyle again. 

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