Anyone have a Pacemaker?

[JtB]

.... and does it interfere with your cycling performance? I'm fit and healthy, or so I thought until I was admitted to a cardic unit last night. Just found out I will need a pacemaker so uncertain times ahead for me :-(.

 

[woohoo]

Depends why (i.e. what heart condition) the pacemaker is being fitted. In some cases, it is there to stop the heart beating too slowly when you are static/sedentary , often because of missed heart beats (e.g. second degree type 1 heart block). In this case, depending on how it is programmed, it will only cut in if your heart rate falls below a predetermined level e.g. 40 or 50 bpm and in this case, it should have no impact on your cycling performance. In other cases e.g. rate responsive, it is there because your heart can't deliver the bpm required when it is under an increased workload and that may have an impact but that will depend on you specific condition and the associated programming.

I've found the op no big deal (and I've had it twice, once to get fitted and then to get the unit replaced because the battery was low). It was done under local rather than general and you can drive fairly soon (days rather than months) after the op, after having got medical clearance. You must tell the DVLA and they will probably place some restrictions on what you can drive e.g. not allowed to drive mini buses etc.

 

[JtB]

Thanks woohoo. Seems my heart beats too slow when I'm resting/sleeping so the pacemaker will only cut in then. Currently looking like the op is this afternoon.

 

[woohoo]

Good luck. Hope all goes well. IIRC, the stiches come out after a week or so.

 

[welsh dragon]

Thanks woohoo. Seems my heart beats too slow when I'm resting/sleeping so the pacemaker will only cut in then. Currently looking like the op is this afternoon.

Good luck. Hope the operation goes well and you recover quickly.

 

[JtB]

All done now, although feeling very tight and sore. Got to the stage that I was passing out every time I fell asleep. Anyway, looking forward to a relaxing night tonight :-)

 

[welsh dragon]

All done now, although feeling very tight and sore. Got to the stage that I was passing out every time I fell asleep. Anyway, looking forward to a relaxing night tonight :-)

Well done.

 

[fossyant]

Wow. That was fast. No messing.

 

[JtB]

Had a great night's sleep, no passing out :-)

 

[slowmotion]

Good stuff JtB.

 

[Archie_tect]

My F-in-L had a pacemaker fitted about 10 years ago [he's 88 now]... doesn't stop him doing exercise whenever he wants.... we're still waiting mind.

Glad to hear you've been sorted out, and so quickly!

 

[stoneyloon]

Hi,
I'm on my second pacemaker as I have Complete Heart Block and the specialist told me to exercise as much as I like. I have to avoid contact so rugby and karate are out but cycling, the gym and jogging are all fine.

I hope you're feeling fine now and the scarring is settling down.

Cheers,
Adam.

 

[edindave]

How do you tell you've passed out when you've fallen asleep?

 

[phil_hg_uk]

How do you tell you've passed out when you've fallen asleep?

I was just going to ask the same thing.

 

[JtB]

You're not the only curious ones, I don't think the doctors fully believed it either until they witnessed it themselves and saw it on the ECG.

To start with I was aware of some very strange sensations which I can only describe as hallucinations. The next thing I was aware of was waking up feeling very unwell, disoriented and sweating like mad. Within a minute or so the symptoms passed and I felt perfectly well again. From my wife's perspective, she noticed my breathing pattern changed, I lost all colour and I became unresponsive and clammy.

PS. Feeling much better now although still not yet cycling again.