Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

message for the newbies

For those of you who are new, feeling down and wondering if you'll get active again, here's my brag. I mean, my story.

I started walking a week after my last surgery (last Jan), moved up to weights and the elliptical as soon as I was cleared by my doc, then took the leap and posted last month that I was trying a Crossfit boot camp. I FINISHED!!!!!!!!! Very challenging military style workouts 5 days a week for 5 weeks. I lost 7 lbs, 4 1/2 inches, I can run 400m without stopping (was...

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Powerplate safe with pacemaker?

The last time this topic was discussed was in 2008, when it seems it is ok as long as there isn't a pulse rate increaser.

my pacemaker won't let my pulse rate drop below 60, and it clocks in then with a 60 rate only, is that the same thing? I am longing to use the Powerplate but not 'dying' to use it!
Thanks,

Corinna

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There is hope...

I haven't been on in a while, but I just wanted to say, to all of the swimmers and runners out there, there is hope to returning to a normal life after a PM implantation.

I had my first pm put in at age 21, after a 13 second flatline while at home on a event monitor. They told me without the pm, i would not live to see 22. (Regardless, I did not want the pm, but thankfully my parents made me get it).

After having the pm, I figured my athletic life was over. I was a NCAA s...

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Exercise Monitors

I have a new St. Jude pacemaker that is monitored wirelessly, does anyone know if there is a sports watch or device that will use the Pacemaker’s wireless signal to monitor how the pacemaker is functioning?

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Broke the 60 mile barrier today

Just wanted to pass this along for those of you who are wondering if you can get back to exercising and living a full life after implant. Some of you know me, some don't. Had an emergency pacer implant when I was 50 in 2009 for 'heart naps'. Went through some tough times like many here have talked about but decided to set a goal to do a bike ride here in Colorado called the Triple Bypass.

Got to within ten days of the ride in 2010 and was really ready for it. Unfortunately that d...

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Playing Golf

What a great website. I looked before I joined and am greatly impressed - it appears to be a very supportive group. I had my pacemaker inserted on 3/22/11 so about 3 1/2 weeks ago. Hospital instructions said I could resume golf and weight lifting after 3 weeks, but my Cardiologist said to wait 4 weeks. Like everyone, I have not raised my arm above my shouldler since the implant and am anxious to start doing hedge clipping and getting back on the links.

I can’t seem to get a def...

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Still have questions/concerns

Comment posted by Stefani on 2011-04-14 22:10.
Hello there, I wrote once before and get some really great info. Hoping to get some more. I got my pm Dec. 23rd., I am 44 and had a low heart rate. I always shrugged this off because I am a runner. I was diagnosed with bradycardia (always feeling tired) and when I got my pm the dr. said it may not alleviate my symptoms (mostly being tired). Well, 3 1/2 months later and I am still feeling tired, but what is even more frustrating is my running is...

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Lets hear from those who had problems!

Rather than ask whether this or that can be done lets talk about those who had problems. Example: Training/Lifting weights and you pulled out a lead. Golfing,etc. Any sports or weekend activities.

I've had the Pacer for over 1/yr. have been training, walking,cutting grass, golfing and no negative results so far.

List your activity and what happened. What problem or what you do example: running-no problems
golfing-pulled out a lead!
...

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Blended sensor

Hi. I'm a pacemaker and defibrillator specialist. I joined to see what members identify as important issues to them. I would also love to ask if anyone who may have benefited from a blended sensor pacemaker would be willing to share their story.

Thanks
Edward

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Polar FT60 Update

Hi -

I finally reached Polar (the company that makes heart rate monitors) in the U.S. I talked with a very nice gentleman who told me the straps for the heart rate monitor do not contain a magnet, so it should all be fine.

Wanting to be sure, I called Medtronic (my PM company) and talked with customer service. They, too, said the heart rate monitor is safe with PM's and everything should be fine.

However, the FT60 is also a GPS unit. Medtronic warned me against...

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weight lifting and 16 year old with Pacer

Thanks for input.

His original leads (Boston Scientific) were put in at age 4. Medtronic pacer was changed at age 11.
Cardiologist says to avoid movement that rubs lead against clavicle. Curious as to other's experiences and advice.

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Weight Lifting

Looking for input on lifting weights with pacemaker. Our 16 year old son has had pacer since age of 4 and I can't seem to find concrete advice on the subject.
Thanks!
Cheryl

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I got really good input

Hello to all.
Last week I posted an entry entitled "Passed out yesterday". I got some excellent advice from the people who responded. My thanks to all.
I am trying a new regimen. It's too soon to tell if it's working, but it can't do any harm and might do some good.
I get up at least one hour before swimming so I can probably absorb some food without overloading. I've started doing a 1/2 smoothie including banana, orange juice, blueberries, melon, and protein powder. In order...

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PM position

Hi everybody.

OK, I am new to the game - struck down last month and had a PM fitted last week. I am sporting and impatient. The operation has gone well and the scar has healed well. Now I am starting to think when can I start playing golf again? 

I know this will be a while, but I have practiced a sort of half swing and noticed the PM box sticks out near my arm/shoulder joint. I am thinking this is going to restrict my swing when I get back to pl...

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Karate????

I have been doing Martial Arts for over twenty yrs and I would like to know if it's ok to do everything but sparring?

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recumbant bikes???

Is it ok to use these bikes with a pacemaker and a defibulator? I am wanting to get in shape but also want to be safe.

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Polar FT60

Does anyone train with a heart rate monitor or even specifically a Polar FT60? Do you know if it has a magnet in the chest strap? I tried contacting Polar, but they're located in Finland. No 800# (Grrrr....). Thanks!!
Tracie

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Dirt Bike Riding

Can I ride dirt bikes? I am a 50-yr old male with an ICD implanted on 10-14-10. I had an MI on 7-8-10 with 90% blockage of the RCA & less in the LAD. The Dr placed two stents that nite and placed me on meds.
I then had a VTAC on 10-6-10 while on the treadmill at Cardio Rehab. They discovered the electrical issues & eventually placed the ICD. I have completed 3 months of cardio rehab, I play softball, baseball & they are allowing me to wakeboard and jet ski. But the nurse liaison between B...

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Issues with running?

I have a pacemaker with a battery life that is dwindling quickly --any suggestions on heart rate monitor watches for use while running. Still working, but I have had previous ones' die without warning and heartrate dropped into upper 20's.....which was more than a little scary. Thx!

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Any SCUBA divers?

Please offer advice on scuba diving. I'd like to go open water diving down to 30 meters. My Medtronic Versa was implanted 6 months ago. My thought was that it migh collapse like a water bottle on a plan when descending to 30 meters. Anyone with experience on this, Medtronic cautions and etc.

Kind regards,
jd

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You know you're wired when...

You have rhythm.

Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.