Exercise with a pacemaker?

Once you are healed, and ready to commence rehabilitation, you might consult a physical therapist or a 'cardiac rehab' expert to see if and how to do it. My feeling is that if you start slow, stay acutely attuned to how your body reacts to the stresses you impose on it, take your pulse at the end of each set or series of reps, wait one minute, and then take it again to confirm it isn't staying high (you're looking for a reasonably fast recovery, so one full minute of inactivity should have your HR fall from a high by at least 15-20 BPM, even more), you will soon know if you're doing it 'right.' If nothing else, you need to build confidence again, to trust your repair, to trust your gut again, and also to go slowly enough that the strain isn't too great.

Please seek assistance from a qualified cardiac physician or surgeon and get some info, maybe a pamphlet to help you with this. There must also be good information from the internet if you do a search with syntax like, 'how to recommence weight training after having a pacemaker installed', or something along that line.

@gloaming
Thank you. It’s good advice.

@mauricepower
Your surgeon (cardiologist or EP) should have gone over physical restrictions they did not want you to participate in including movements of your arm.

My EP restricted me from most exercises for 3 months. After that it was specific. You are over 3 months but your doctors determine when you can return to exercising and which ones you can do.

I had my ICD/Pacemaker placed under my chest muscle as my skin was too thin to implant just under skin. So I have additional restriction after surgery as they went through my chest muscle.

Your doctors should have had a office visit to see how well you healed and gave you a release date. If not and me I would contact them. I would also asked them about specific exercises you are interested in doing and the pros and cons of them.

I mentioned all this as my EP said was okay to return to tennis but my Pace P.A. said she did not recommend playing tennis or fishing as extreme arm jerking could move wires or cause them to come out.

That is why you need to talk to your EP or surgeon. How were the wires placed in your heart. Were the the static type or screwed in type? You can see if screwed in they have a better chance of staying put than static. Thus only your surgeon and cardiologist knows this and should be directing you.

I started playing tennis 3 months after my surgery and my pacing lead came out. So my Pace P.A. was right. But I don't complain about my EP as he knew how important to me tennis was and was trying to give me the life style I wanted.

There are some restrictions I even abide by even today even though I have had a ICD/Pacemaker for over 20 years and on my 3rd device. I watch how far I reach up with my left arm, backwards, etc. I can feel some discomfort when I do so have learned not to. I refrain from any quick jerky of left arm. Your restrictions and what you find as discomfort may not be mine as I assume your device is under your skin not your muscle.

You can research exercises to do but your doctors are the best source as they have your full medical and mental health history. What exercises do I do? Water aerobics (I restrict my left arm to not over my head) 5 days a week, swim, bike, walk. My PCP wants me to do strength exercise lifting light weights but I find very boring.

@jc76
Thank you. I enjoyed weightlifting prior to my surgery but I know that has to be modified.

Sound advice has been given by others here - it's a good idea to seek a professional opinion to develop an exercise routine geared to your needs and possibly changed abilities. Cardio rehab or a PT may be the way to go, see if you can get a recommendation, you may want a referral from your EP or cardiologist because insurance may cover it at least partially. We are all different in healing and when we can begin exercising. Two days after ICD I was walking 3 miles (put arm in a sling to limit movement), cooking, riding the recumbent bike at the gym and doing things that did not require much left arm use. Since I was healed (septal myectomy and 4 months later an ICD I named Buddy - 3 years now), I have no problems doing planks, other core strengthening exercises, machines lifting 50 and pushing/pulling 70 pounds. I am 79. Remember that our goals are to live out best lives at every age and physical ability! Good luck @mauricepower you will find your comfortable niche. @jc76 your experience was a bit different. I wonder how much male/female recovery differs - muscle structure differences may impact movement.

@walkinggirl
Thank you.
I’m 72 and I don’t want my muscles to waste away. I’m encouraged by this support group.

I would like to offer reinforcement to walking girl’s comments. At age 84 I had a pacemaker (no ICD) implanted. Several weeks after, I was back at the gym on the stationary bike, the weight lifting machines, and dumbbells, pretty much at the same level as before. I had no “changed abilities,” nor did I need PT or cardio rehab. I had other problems with the EP who installed the device, but it appeared that he was technically adept at installing it.

Hope this can allay the fears of those who are worried about getting a pacemaker. I will be 90 this year and thankful that it saved my life.

@walkinggirl
Now I know why you use I.D. is walkinggirl

Your post is really helpful in that we are all different and just need to know that.

Real important to keep exercising and finding ways to do it. Your post is right on with guidance and what you did to keep it up.

I am really impressed with your strengthening exercises and makes me kind of jealous.

@jc76 You will get there! I was jogging and then after a sore knee, have been walking since I was in my 30's. I added the gym when I retired in 2012. With the various complications I experienced (not from the ICD), I had to start and progress slowly three times. It was not fun and during the 3rd time I wondered if I had the mental stamina to do it again. The ability to bike ride with my grandson made it all worth it. People often start by walking around the block just once doing it 3 times a day, riding a recumbent bike slowly, etc. @jackiet at 90 YOU are an inspiration!