Hockey after pacemaker

I am 58 and just had a pacemaker installed this month. I have payed ice hockey since I was a kid and still do at least twice per week. I need to get back on the ice. Does anyone play and what differences, if any, did you find after pacemaker. How long after installation until you were back playing? Thank you in advance for your comments. 

4 Comments

after you heal, go for it

by Tracey_E - 2018-08-20 22:40:23

Doctors vary widely, anywhere from 4-12 weeks for sports/full activity. You may or may not feel up to it at that time. We're all built differently, doctors place it differently, we heal at different paces and have different tolerances for pain, so it's hard to say how long it'll be.  I don't play hockey but was back to Crossfit after 4 weeks, but it was more like 3 or 4 months before I was no longer cautious, was back to my old weights, didn't notice any pulling or discomfort. Not saying it hurt that long, that's just how long I was more aware of it. It will not feel good if someone slams into your shoulder before it's fully healed so dipping your toes is probably better than jumping back in head first. 

The biggest difference you're likely to notice is you feel better. Now that your heart is beating normally, you'll probably have better stamina. 

Don't forget the guard!

by BOBTHOM - 2018-08-24 20:39:23

Don't forget to buy one of those guards to put over the device.  Not that the device will be damaged but having it pushed in hard say by taking a shot from a shoulder or the puck could be quite painful!  If you do a search on here I know there are posts from others who purchased them.   Good luck!

Thank you!

by Charlied20 - 2018-08-25 10:20:39

i did not know there was guard for a pacemaker. I’ll look it up. 

guards

by Tracey_E - 2018-08-27 16:06:42

The shirts are from a compay called paceguard. But it'll be a little redundant under hockey gear! I wouldn't bother, jmho. 

You know you're wired when...

You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.