Lifting weights with a pace maker

I wanted to get back into some weight lifting I have been told that my leads are probabilty scarred on pretty good now had the impant the end of april 2018 for complete heart block. But I was told to stay away from chest excerises due to the possibilty of damaging the leads. My question for all of you who lift weights what excersises and or range of motions can you do and how much do you normally lift with weights. I don't want to risk damaging my device in any way and I would hate to have to get new leads. Are their any muscle groups I can't work out or excersies I should aviod I am just trying to get a general Idea from people. I obviously need to start very slow and light.

3 Comments

weights

by Tracey_E - 2018-10-18 18:09:15

For sure start easy and build up. If something doesn't feel right, back off and try again in a week. You may feel sore after at first because you're tugging on fresh scar tissue. It's harmless and normal, ice helps.

Ask your doctor if there is something specific about your replacement that would limit your exercise or if that's a standard instruction they give all patients. If they tell everyone that, you might want a second opinion because most ep's no longer give us many limitations if the pacer fixes what's wrong and we are otherwise healthy. We don't want direct pressure on the leads or device. If the device is right under the collar bone, you don't want enough pressure on it to crush the leads. If your device is lower and deeper, many doctors tell us no restrictions because leads are strong and flexible, intended to move with us. 

I do Crossfit which involves Olympic lifting. I do it all, no restrictions. I can deadlift more than my bodyweight,  clean/jerk triple digits, swing kettlebells, pick up and toss 75# sandballs over my shoulder, pull ups, push ups, run with a 40# sandbag across my shoulders. My doctor is ok with it, actually he encourages it because being fit is the best thing we can do for ourselves. I've been doing this 7+ years, no issues. I have one lead from 1994 still going strong. My other lead was replaced in 2010, which is about average life span of a lead, normal wear and tear. 

 

Thanks

by benne81 - 2018-10-19 12:14:57

Thanks I am not sure exactly what I want to do yet. I was told by my NP that is in charge of my pace maker not to go heavy obvuiously it is up to me on how I feel when I am starting out. I was told to stay away from things over the head or big pec muscles like using bench press. She told me that while the leads are scared on there is a chance they can potentially become crushed by the clavical. I wanted to know what excersies are safe so when I do start lifting weights again I don't injure myself or the device. I have only been diong fast walking on treadmill which is what I was diong since healing from my mitral valve repair surgery back in april.

clavical

by Tracey_E - 2018-10-22 10:24:06

How close are your leads to your clavical? Mine aren't close at all so I don't worry about that. My device is lower, under the pectoral. I went easy the first 6 months when cleaning the bar or holding it for front squats, but once I healed and the residual soreness went away I went back to doing what I want. Just make sure the bar isn't ever over your box or leads. Don't worry about working the muscle, I was told that is normal wear and tear and the leads can handle it, that direct pressure is the only thing to avoid. 

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