Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

Post Message!

Latest News

For those interested, looks like my diagnostic mystery saga is coming to a close.  After 4 cardiologists and a pulmonologist, I went to see the Director/MD of the Cardiac Performance Center at MGH/Boston.  He was awesome from several angles.  He put together all the pieces and came out with a strong and optimistic diagnosis.  Basically I have complete LBBB, but because of my fitness level many of the tests such as CPET and cadiac cath showed some good test results, an...

Read More...

Any Runners or Cyclists Out There Who've had an ICD Implanted for V-Tach?

I'm a brand new member of the Pacemaker Club.  I'm a 60 yo male, a lifetime runner and cyclist, and had my first pacemaker implanted, a Medtronic Cobalt XT DR MRI Surescan with dual leads, this June.  My basic heart history is that a few years ago it was discovered that I have scar tissue from myocarditis of the LV.  Soon after that I developed afib which progressively got worse and I had to have an abation to stop it.  The ablation succeeded.  After implantin...

Read More...

Swimming with Boston Scientific

After breaking a lead earlier this year, my Medtronic unit was replaced with a Boston Scientific.  I am a lifelong swimmer and the hope was that the new unit would work better for me since it has the minute ventialtion sensor as well as an accelerometer.  So far it is working better for things like cycling and hiking but it is not working well in the pool.  I feel like I've seen a posting on this forum by a gentleman in Australia who is about my age who had set a national r...

Read More...

Running with dual lead PM

I just got implanted with a dual lead PM from Medtronic (Azure XT DR). The reason for the PM is that I have a heart block and my AV node was not working.

The doctors told me that once I get this dual lead PM, I will be naturally paced by the SA node (our natural pacemaker)...meaning once the SA node fires, the PM detects that event and performs the function of the AV node by sending sending the signal to my heart's ventricles.

My question - is there a possibility that the PM w...

Read More...

Scuba Diving / Sky Diving?

Hello Everyone,

Does anyone have any information regarding scuba diving or sky diving with a pacemaker? 
 

 

Read More...

jogging

while jogging and JUMPING the chest and PM all jumps and jumps , doesn't it hurt the leads all these jumps ? 

Read More...

I was working as sport animator , would I be able to work again ?

I am 23 , had my PM 4 months ago , cause I had heart block (av block), it hit me like a truck , my father died 4 month before operation so maybe I had the av block due to sadness , seeing scar and battery every day not that easy, I was working as sport animator , my job is to do daily activities ( streatching , yoga , aquagym , belly dance , vollyball and zumba ) daily with tourists and so ..  
would I be able to work my job again ? which activity can really affe...

Read More...

Vital Beat or Paceguard for biking

Has anyones used the Vital Beat or Paceguard pacemaker shield and shirt? I'm considering buying one of them to use when biking for protection from a possible fall. I'd like to know what your experience has been, and if you have a recommendation.

Read More...

Any cycling success stories with a Biotronik ICD

Recently I had a Biotronik Rivacor 7 DR-7 implanted. I'm 59 years old and avid cyclist (over 10,000 miles in 2020). I was wondering if anyone has had any success in getting a Biotronik ICD synced properly for cycling? I've had it adjusted twice but still struggle with shortness of breath while riding even at a reduced pace. My current settings are below:

Max CLS 130

CLS Response Med

Upper rate 140

AV delay pacing 225

AV delay sensing 185

Thanks in a...

Read More...

Best Pacemaker for a bicyclist

I have been an avid bicyclist for years. Recently, my cardiologist implanted a Medtronic monitor in my chest to determine whether I need a pacemaker. (I have had bradycardia for many years and had an ablation for A-Fib back in 2014.) Long story short: a few days after the implant, I received a phone call from the Cardiologist's nurse who told me that the cardiologist wants to meet with me on Tuesday, to discuss pacemakers. The cardiologist believes that I have sick sinus syndrome and the...

Read More...

Exercised Induced Hypertension

Hi Mike,

You said you take Lisinopril 30mg. Did you know that if Lisinopril works too good it can cause a rapid loss of blood pressure. I am a nurse and I heard this from a doctor. Maybe your pacemaker is not the issue. Talk to your doctor about your Lisinopril and your symptoms. 
 

I hope all works out for you. BTW, Happy Fathers Day! 

Read More...

Exercise induced Hypertension

I have lately experiencing a sudden drop in blood pressure while brisk walking. I usually walk for 5 mi at a brisk pace (2.5-3 mph).  My tolerance this spring has been steadily decreasing, and I am fatigued the last 1/2 mi; lately though I have been unable to go more than a mile.  I am having sudden drops in HR, from >130 to 60, and subsequently am unable to increase my HR above 65-70. I have also extablished that my BP will drop to <95/60.  When this happens I feel dizzy...

Read More...

Supercar insurance

I am going to castle coombe for a supercar experience next week and suddenly thought about my pacemaker. Any advice? Will this be ok?  Thank you as always 

Read More...

Safety

Is it safe for me to be in pool with grandbaby & no one else is around?  I'm very anxious that I might faint or have a heart attack while alone with her.  I keep her week days.  She's 8 months old.  I'm 2 months out from implant, no problems & doctor had said I could return to normal activities.   Just a lot of anxiety over this even though physically I feel better now that my heart rate is above 30. 

Read More...

Protection while biking

Prior to getting my pacemaker a few weeks ago, I was an avid cyclist. Looking forward to getting back on my bike soon.
Can anyone recommend a device/shirt/vest to protect the pacemaker from possible bumps?

I've seen the vital beat and pace guard devices advertised online. Does anyone have any expeience using one of them?

Read More...

Polar verity HRM

Ordered one of these through Amazon so I can return it if necessary. Arm band that uses LED's instead of electrical impulses. Was wondering if anyone else has tried one of these?

Read More...

Backpacks / rucksacks / daysacks

Hi I'm new here - I came as I saw lots of old discussions on Google search but no real answers. 
 

I'm on my third pacemaker. This one was put in about three years ago. It's perfectly settled and I don't notice it too much unless it gets poked or pressed. 
 

I do a lot of walking. Just day walks with a 20 litre bag. My walks are what my friends call long - 15 to 20 miles. 

Recently I notice it gets sore where the bag...

Read More...

Whoop reliability

Good morning.  I have a St Jude dual chamber pacemaker (installed in 2018) to help me cope with consequences of heart block (likely arising from His-Purkinje Disease).  I'm 68 and an avid cyclist (4000+ miles/yr).  Recently, I've been struggling with upper limits on my heart rate that won't allow me to ride as hard as I'd like.  I've been using a Wahoo optical heart rate monitor that has been recording heart rates much (2-3 times) higher than my ca...

Read More...

AV node ablation and cycling

Great to find this web site and forum.  Quick background:  I am a 68 year old male who is an avid cyclist (about 150 miles/week).  I have had A-fib for approximately 20 years.  My second ablation in 2014 gave me 6 years of relief and joy with an Afib burden of <5% and using a simple PIP approach to convert after brief episodes.  Otherwise, no medication.  Unfortunately since Feb. 2021 I have been in afib almost constantly with no help from drugs and 2 cardiove...

Read More...

Change in Feeling

Hi All,

Just a quick one, had my Meditronic Dual PM for nearly a year now, have had a few bumps in the road, but have generally been good.

I am a keen hill walker & sent many days in the hills & not having an issues with ascents, however a couple of weeks ago I noticed a my body not being as capable of preforming climbs, than it had been say just a month previously.

Any reasons why this could be & what can be done?

I am going to see my healthcare...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

You always run anti-virus software.

Member Quotes

I'm still running and feeling great.