Most Recent Messages in Exercise & Sports

Running HRMs

Hello!

I want to get one of the fancy GPS / Heart Rate Monitor watches for my running training. I'm wondering if any of you out there are using one? Has there been any problems with it and your PM?

(I asked the technician at the PM clinic, but all they would say is that they didn't know if it would be a problem, and to use it at my own risk.)

Elise

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Heart Rate Drop

For 3 1/2 years I have had heart rate drop while exercising. Started out I would be training in the 140 to 155 bpm's and it would suddenly drop to 55 bpm's. This progressively got worse over the 3 1/2 years. Finally got a pacemaker on October 15th of this year and I am down to walking for 6 weeks. Unfortunately as soon as I walk up a slight incline after 40 minutes of walking my heart rate drops as it did pre pacemaker days. This has been a long haul to convince doctor's I had this problem...

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how does it know?

I had a pm fitted about 3 weeks ago because I have a total heart block and my heart beat had dropped to 35, and I still have another 3 weeks to go before my check up.
This may sound like a silly question, but.... How does the pm know to increase the heart beat if you do any exercise or dance? Can it?

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Newbie questions

Comment posted by dlt21 on 2010-11-13 15:19.
Hi
I just had PM installed 9 days ago. I am seeing the doctor on monday for first check up. I usually workout everyday so this is a rough time. I guess 6-8 weeks is normal time frame for not lifting left arm above heart. My question is can you do any exercise ,eliptical ,treadmill or any light weight exercises like curls,
how about situps ??

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Indoor Cycling

Hi -

Does anyone participate in indoor cycling classes? Sometimes called "spin" classes? If you so, do you know anything about the newer bikes that are magnet powered? Are they safe for us? I'm going to call my cardio on Monday, but thought I'd ask the experts first.

Thanks!
Tracie

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Distance running with Pacemaker/Defib.

I am a 62 year old runner who has run all of my life. I experienced full cardiac arrest on February 28, 2010. I was training for my 10 Boston Marathon and my 19 marathon overall. I was totally blindsided by this event. No pain, no indications of heart problems. No family history, except one brother with heart disease. I was gone approximately 12 minutes. I was immediately given CPR by my wife and brother. EMT's applied shock. I was given Induced Hypothermia for Cardiac patients for 24 hours. I h...

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HELP

Does anyone know what sports can be played while having a pacemaker? I was on a step team & a dance team for aout four years. Stopped both last year. And now all of the sudden, my cardioligist to me I can no longer do either of them. I need to find something new to do! PLEASE HELP! :/

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cycling

Hi everyone. I am a 36 yo who just had my first pacemaker put in on 9/14/10. I'm looking forward to starting cycling again (mostly mtn bike). I've been doing some reading and it seems like sometimes the pms don't respond to cycling well because the exercise response is set to respond to movement, and you don't move much on the bike. My doc wants me to wait until a stress test next week to really try. Just seeing if anyone else has had any success, or issues with cycling or any thoughts on...

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Arm motion limitations?

I know everyone has asked this but why no military presses (pushing weights above our heads)?  Does this also go for regular arm movements or martial arts? Just curious. I was told I could wear out the wires with my pacemaker?  Could somebody please assist me with this. Confused 44 year old.
Thank you.

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Body Fat

Hi, I recently joined the YMCA. I need to have a "gym" environment to actually get into shape. Part of my membership involves working with a personal trainer. Today was my first appointment with the trainer. She is about 20 years old and about a size 4. Good grief I was thinking, then she spoke. She is smart and funny! yay I thought. She asked a lot of questions and we discussed goals for me and what I would like to gain or lose. Then she took my medical history! Yikes! She says t...

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Trying to do a 5K and breathless!

Hi,
Would love to get some advice from other runners with pacers. I'm 36 yo, workout regularly in moderate to high intensity classes and elliptical. I've been paced since I was 14yo and have congenital transposition and complete heart block. I just had an exercise test and my doc said the results were comparable to healthy teenage athletes, which I find hilarious, since my parents never let me play a sport in my life due to the heart condition. I think that's why I've always wanted to r...

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Kayaking with a Pacemaker

My cardiologist has recommended that I get a pacemaker to bring up my heart rate. As an avid whitewater kayaker (class III/IV), I am concerned about the implications for enjoying my sport. Can anyone tell me whether or not the PM will limit my kayaking? Also the majority of the posts that I read concerning exercising with a PM state that "moderate" exercise is okay. Can someone define "moderate" exercise for me? I am in the gym with a trainer twice a week working out on the machines with a weig...

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New Settings

Well I went to see my EP Tech a week ago... My original settings were @ 60/130... here I thought I was at least at 140... ughhhh. I asked for some more juice since I have finaly returned to the gym (PM impanted 3/12/10) Here is what I had noticed before my settings were changed... while on the eliptical if my HR reached over 130.. I would get a pounding ache in my chest, feel completely depleted of energy, and loss of breath also increased sweat. It was horrible, because I do my routine Cardo...

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There IS life post-PM

I just came out of my first Masters swimming competition since my operation. I did OK too. Knocked off 2 seconds off my best time for 50 m butterfly. Not bad for a 59 year-old!
Regards to all
Edouard

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need a new routine

I have read numerous posts on here in this category regarding lifting weights. Some say to go ahead and try with light weights, but my doctor gave me strict orders that I can never do another push-up or pull-up. I can never do another chest press or shoulder press. I can never lift more than 5 pounds over my head and I can never strain to push, pull or lift anything. He said the bone would literally saw my two leads in half with this type of motion.
I was an avid P90X work out routine...

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HRM PM Interference

Hello,

I’ve had my PM for about 2 years now. Anyway, I have continued to exercise since then. However, I’ve gained a few pounds and have been running 3-5 miles 3/4 times a week for the last month. I like to monitor my heart rate and try not to exceed 160bpm (I’m a 49 y/o male). However, I’m having what I believe to be interference from my PM to my Watch/Strap Heart Rate Monitor (HRM).

Has anyone else had this problem? Are there brands/models...

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Running

Guys

I have just finished my 1st half marathon, however I have the same issues I that had during training' that after LONG runs I feel really dizzie & tired, a feeling that I had pe-pacemaker, could u guys advise me if this is normal?

cheers
Westies2803

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Looking for pacer that works best for cycling

I've had a Guidant for 7 years and need to replace. Guidant has a secondary setting to increase heart response to exercise. Because the torso doesn't move much this feature is particularly good for cycling.

My insurance doesn't have contract with Guidant. The two options I have are St. Jude and Medtronic.

I'm an athletic biker gal and want to keep exercising to moderate extreme. Does anyone have any experience with either of these pacers' ability to serve serious cycling?...

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Calorie Burn with ICD

I have had a pacemaker from 2001 to 2003. Since 2003 I have had an ICD (Medtronic). My ejection fraction is 25%. I exercise regularly and never been shocked by the device yet. But when I am on an eliptical and it shows I burned 300 calories, did I really burn 300 calories? I mean, my ICD won't let my heart rate go above 150. Can I then burn calories like folks without ICD? How does it work?

Thanks.

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Bench pressing and PMs

Recently my EP/Cardiologist advised me not to bench press more than 75 lbs. for fear of fracturing a PM wire/lead.

I had been lifting twice that amount with apparently no problems.

Has anyone been given the same advice?

Thanks,

Syd

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You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

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