Exercise and PM's

In December 2007 I had a catheter ablation to rid of some PVC's. I awoke to my doctor saying that there was a complication and that my AV node was ruined. Although the pacemaker is better than living life at 40 beats a minute, I am finding it extremely difficult to get back to my intense exercise. I am a cyclist, runner and do a number of cardio classes at the gym. My upper limit is set to the highest that it can be set for my PM. When I get near 130-140 bpm's I start having PVC's again. They sometimes fade away for a little bit of time but they mostly stay with me as I exercise.
The one thing I love, exercise, is just not that fun with so many PVC's. I am very frustrated since no medicine that I have tried helps either. I am very nervous about another ablation to say the least, especially since we believe it's the actual PM causing the PVC's,


Does anyone out there, returning to an athletic life, have this experience? Help!

3 Comments

Sorry...

by Swedeheart - 2008-06-04 01:06:03

Hello,

I am sorry I am not a athletic person... and do not have the same issues as you have. I do, however, have PVC's and they bother me.

I don't have experience with your issue, but I would say, perservere. If your doctor has run the gamit of his/her knowledge of what to do, ask others. I would especially contact the manufacturer of your PM. Perhaps they have a tech in your area that has had success with minute changes in settings, or whatever would be necessary.

Wish I could be more helpful ~ but thought someone should respond to your question!

Swedeheart

TAKE IT EASY

by peter - 2008-06-04 03:06:05

It seems they hit your AV node during the ablation proceedure. Ablations are nearly always hit and miss. So to burn out something you should not, is quite common. Its one of the risks of ablation. I understand how much you like exercising hard, it can make you feel great. But in your condition your body is telling you to take it easy. I strongly advise you to slow down. I really do feel that you are taking a great risk by overtaxing yourself. This is only my opinion. Cheers Peter

Time has gone by...and thanks.

by Chesca - 2008-10-11 11:10:44

Thanks so much for both of your comments. I haven't checked this site since I first posted so I am sorry for not getting back to you until now. Things for me have gotten worse. Yes, Peter, I have slowed down, for certain!! My AV node is a total goner. NOW, it turns out my leads are faulty causing extra heartbeats that are then followed by more PVC's. I haven't been exercising at all in weeks, months. I am just trying to get by until November. I can't move my left arm without my heart jumping out of my chest.

I am scheduled to get a NEW PM and leads in, in early November. I am completely scarred that I am going to die in this surgery since the last one was so traumatic. I found a different doctor than the one that did the first catheter ablation but I still don't trust him, or anyone.

My new Dr. wants to put in a Boston Scientific Rate Smoothing PM. Anyone know anything about this kind versus another? I currently have a St. Jude placed closer by my armpit.

It's been a long road. I am trying not to panic about the leads not coming out and dangers that follow that outcome.

I appreciate your responses. Please feel free to elaborate if you have more to say!!

Francesca

You know you're wired when...

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Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.