Strength Training, Yoga, and Lead Safety

I'm past 6 weeks after surgery, though still new to all this. Just turned 40, otherwise mostly healthy, and I don't want to get too out of shape. Wondering if anyone knows of a comprehensive reference for what's reasonably safe activity to do?

My doc said cardio is great but warned me that I have a complex system, 3 leads, and I should not do too much with the left arm. Said he had a patient who wore out a lead by doing a lot of upper body workouts. Some forum members here feel that you should just live your life and work out how you like. I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. I want to do as much as I can, while at the same time not tempting fate.

Hoping there's some kind of reference for strength training exercises, maybe Yoga poses, and which ones are at higher or lower risk for damaging the leads. Is this a dream or does something like this exist? Or, are there trainers who specialize in helping pacer peeps?

 

6 Comments

no and no

by Tracey_E - 2019-01-08 16:46:51

I've never seen two doctors give the same advice much less something written. Our builds, our overall health, our placements are all different.  I've never heard of a trainer, there isn't that much demand for trainers specializing in paced patients. Maybe cardiac rehab?

I'm head cheerleader for the live your life team. I've been paced since 1994, gone through 5 devices, have never had a doctor tell me to hold back, have never had a problem. 

Do what feels right for you. If something pulls or is uncomfortable, don't do it. Leads are thin and flexible, intended to move with us. You don't have to be as crazy as me, but you don't need to fear it either. 

Use it or lose it

by doublehorn48 - 2019-01-09 12:15:55

These two ladies, Tracey and Robin have always been spot on with their advice.  And once again they are correct, in my opinion.  You will replace leads over time. Robin is right.  If you don't use your muscles they will shrink.

I had my best bench press 8 years after my first pm.  Don't use the pm for an excuse.

Bad news

by Gotrhythm - 2019-01-09 19:58:25

Nobody can tell you how much you can do of what exercise without damaging your leads. Because NOBODY KNOWS.

But if leads regularly broke in active-wear situations, somebody would know that. Because it would happen often. You can find competition-level athelete with pacemakers in every sport. You name it--somebody is out there doing it.

Relax. Enjoy you life. Do what you feel like doing.

 

 

what I heard

by Uelrindru - 2019-01-10 13:59:32

when I brought it up to my cardiologist and ep they both told me no pull us and nothing else. something about the motion can jar the lead. I dont do pull ups so I'm less than worried about it. good luck

Information

by benne81 - 2019-01-11 20:17:17

I was told no bench press. Don't isolate the chest muscle and to do light reps. I have yet to start strength training again ljust been doing catdio. Like you I am bit on the worried side. 

swimming

by zebrashadow - 2019-01-23 17:46:21

freestyle is almost all upper body, searching internet for master swimmers with ICD feedback

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Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.