Returning to the mountains post operation?

Hi all

I had a CRT-D fitted some two weeks ago. All is going well and the wound is healing nicely. My surgeon tells me not to do much for the first two weeks as we need to make sure the wires stay in place. 

I am a retired mountain guide, based in Granada, Spain and would now like to get back to visit my beloved mountains. I am nearly 67 so I had naturally been slowing down in the years prior to my heart attack (March 2019). The HA left me with 34% EF. Since then I felt I had been making slow but steady progress in recovery, taking medications and regular exercise. In October 2021 I was rather shocked to find my EF had dropped from 34% to 30%, hence the requirement for a CRT-D. I am told both ventricles are now pumping in syncronisation.

I am nearly at the stage where I can start a bit of stamina training and taking regular hikes. Does anyone have any advice about returning to the mountains? About taking the first steps back into hiking post-operation? I should add that I dont intend to go above 3000m (10000ft) on a regular basis and certainly not in the first few months. Can I expect to find it easier going uphill now that both ventricles are working together rather than against each other?

This site has been a wonderful source of help and inspiration for me both pre and post operation. Appreciated!

Richard
 

5 Comments

Enjoy and stay safe

by Gemita - 2022-02-06 16:08:59

Richard, welcome and I hope your recovery continues to go well and you will soon be back doing what you most love.  You have been through a great deal.  Perhaps your EF and medication will hold you back for a little while longer, at least until your CRT therapy starts to hopefully work well for you.  Pace yourself for a few more weeks.

Have you consulted your doctors and told them what you want to achieve and the “gear” you will be carrying while hiking?  It is important to let them know, so that you will remain safe.

Can you expect to find it easier to go uphill now with synchrony between your ventricles you ask?  It may take a little while to adjust your settings to suit you personally and for the CRT to effectively improve your EF.  Some patients notice an immediate improvement, others may need to wait up to three months or longer to see real benefits.  It really depends on your heart condition and any other health conditions present, on your medication, on any arrhythmias that you have.  I hope you will do very well.  You certainly sound as though you are feeling well enough and ready to take on those peaks.

I hope other members who hike will see your message and give you lots of useful advice and encouragement.  Good luck Richard

welcome

by Tracey_E - 2022-02-07 10:49:42

Glad you found us.

Hiking should be easier now. Synchronizing the ventricles isn't a 100% fix but it can help a lot. If your doctor has cleared you for exercise, then it's ok to start slowly and ease back into it. Two weeks might be a little soon, 4-6 weeks is more common before encouraging much more than walking. 

Thanks

by elperronegro - 2022-02-07 12:48:47

Thank you Gemita and Tracey_E for your responses. Every little bit of information helps us NOOBS and I appreciate this! I return to see the surgeon in three weeks, I will take it easy until then and then ask him to tweak what is necessary for a 66 year old who still loves his mountains. I don't tend to carry a heavy backpack, for many years I have spent more and more money paying for less and less materials to carrty around!

new pm

by blowhard - 2022-02-12 02:00:36

Hi Richard, like your post as I am to a mountain guide from NZ not retired yet though just picky about what work i do..I have had a PM for 4 years now and am a new man...I get PVC's daily that are annoying and my EF is around 35% as well....seems to be a part of the programme.I am back hiking and biking heaps and mostly guiding in winter.I am also an avid bodyboarder an bagpiper and without the PM i wouldnt be doing any of that! It takes a while to feel relaxed about your PM and getting back to the hills. Since Covid has hit NZ and alot less work around I am  poorer financially but far richer in spirit and soul!!! Have fun out there! Dave

Mountaineering

by ezrk - 2022-06-15 23:15:45

Not a mountain guide, but I do climb mountains...with heart failure.  EF was down to 20% but a combination of drugs and CRT has it up to 50% now.  Was able to hike to the summit of Mt Whitney (14,5k feet, 4421m) about 16 weeks after surgery.  Was a little rough above 12k feet/3800m but that could just be lack of acclimatization.

Everyone is different but it is possible to get back into shape.  I find I have a harder time keeping my hands and feet warm - especially ice climbing.

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