Lifting

Okay the other day I tried to lift my very large yellow lab and ever since then i have had some chest discomfort and also fast racing heart, weird sensations, just not feeling right. So i was wondering can you pull a lead or something by lifting way to much. Stacy

4 Comments

Leads

by heckboy - 2008-03-18 05:03:57

Hmmm... I partially dislodged a lead and the result was that I felt like I did before my PM because of the power leakage. I'm not sure what a dangling lead would do.

Lifting

by BOB 1 - 2008-03-18 06:03:53

There is a possibility you dislodged a lead but the only way to know for certain is see your doctor. This is especially so if your pacemaker is relatively new. The longer you have it the less likely heavy lifting will cause a lead problem.

We must never forget that lifting heavy items increases the load on our heart the same as exercise. When you increase the work load on a muscle the heart will try to send more blood to that muscle area immediately, just as it does if you suddenly start running. Sometimes these sudden load increases on the heart can set into motion a series of events that makes outside help necessary and this help may not even involve your pacemaker.

As for Heckboy's comment "I'm not sure what a dangling lead would do" I think it can do anyone of several things. It all depends where the lead is broken, dislodged or disconnected. The problems could range all the way from your pacemaker being useless because the impulses are not getting to the heart chamber(s) or it is sending impulses to a part of the body where they shouldn't go. I would be surprised if a dislodged lead caused a racing heart beat. but never underestimate the possibilities from our pacemakers but I know from personal experience a pacemaker is full of surprises..

I say contact your doctor for real help.

Leads

by Nel - 2008-03-19 07:03:10

Hi
I had a lead dislodged a month after I got my first pm.
I felt the pulse in my stomach as I have a total heart block they need to refitted the lead. Last year Jan.I had a pm replace and infection set in and in Septemter 2007 they replaced it, but Jan this year the lead just stop working. Lucky for me there was still a little power just to keep me allive. If your lead is not working you will have very little or no power and you will feel it. They can tell you once they have check your leads. The best thing for you is go and check it out.
I went back to gym today , but I will not do any weights for a while as I know leads can dislodged very easily aspecialy soon after your operation.
Take care
Nel

LIFTING

by gentlben4u - 2008-03-19 12:03:54

My doctor told me not to lift more than 15 pounds, and right after I had my PM put, I wasn't allowed to lift my arms over my head.

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