Side sleeping after pacemaker

Posted by craigslefknee @craigslefknee, Oct 3 12:53pm

Pacemaker implanted 8/31/2026 because of low heart rate, low 30's. I never noticed any symptoms, played golf 2-3 times a week, yard work etc. I discovered the issue taking my b/p one morning. After 4x bypass in 2012 I checked b/b at least once per day. If I remember correctly I had left branch bundle block for quite some time but cardiologist was monitoring. Have been on Carvedilol beta blocker since CABG.
5 weeks out I feel good with only minimal occasional discomfort in ribs connection to sternum which I have been dealing with long term, but chiropractor visits kept under control. But not allowed to see chiropractor yet so managing with Tylenol. Still have some shoulder discomfort. When did any of you start to sleep on your left side? It is my preferred way and I don't sleep well on my back, and very careful of sleeping on right side because of Vertigo. Heart rate is staying in 70s and 80's. Also when did any of you golfers get back at it?

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lak1967 | @lak1967 | Oct 4 5:31am

I had my pacemaker implanted in Oct. 2022. I'm also a side sleeper, almost exclusively on my left side. If I remember correctly, it was at least a couple months before I was able to sleep on my left side again. As for golfing...never golfed in my life, unless you count putt-putt (which I know no serious golfer would!), lol. I would definitely get clearance from your cardiologist first, as you don't want to dislodge any of the leads.

wcuro | @wcuro | Oct 4 7:01am

Give it 8-10 weeks for required healing to be extra safe. I would imagine that you were told not to elevate your left arm above your shoulder and not to lift over 4 pounds for 6 weeks. And to take it easy. That means no full golf swing. Maybe practice putting and chip shots.
The restrictions are to prevent the wires inserted into your heart from disconnecting. It’s worth the wait. Hit ‘em straight.

patti9309 | @patti9309 | Oct 4 10:57am

Sounds like you are doing well. My pacemaker was implanted on July 30, 2026. I started sleeping on my left side at about week 5 and started golfing one week after my 6 week pacemaker checkup. The pacemaker clinic gave me the go ahead to return to all normal activities. My shoulder did stiffen up but my chiropractor helped and doing band exercises fixed it up within 2 weeks. Listen to your body and enjoy the links when you have been given the green light.

craigslefknee | @craigslefknee | Oct 4 1:06pm

Thank you Patti for the words of encouragement. Glad you are doing so well, I am so looking forward to getting back out on the links. Were you given permission to left side sleep after 5 weeks?

patti9309 | @patti9309 | Oct 5 9:17am

In reply to @craigslefknee "Thank you Patti for the words of encouragement. Glad you are doing so well, I am..." + (show)

Like you I am a left side sleeper with my left arm above my head and a slight roll onto my tummy, a BIG no no after a pacemaker implant. I was told to listen to my body about sleeping on my left but do NOT lift my left arm above my shoulder. At 5 weeks I woke up one morning on my left side, left arm down and somehow one of pillows behind my back supporting me. It wasn’t a full left side sleep but it felt like heaven and it didn’t hurt the incision site - no pain. I just kept it up.

My first round of golf was GREAT, no pain at the site.

deniseheart | @deniseheart | Oct 8 9:30am

It took me a few years to be able to sleep on my preferred left side.

craigslefknee | @craigslefknee | Oct 8 4:34pm

Gosh sorry to hear it took that long for you. Hoping mine is a little faster!

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