I got a pacemaker back in March and have been having issues swimming. So I wanted to see if anyone else out there has had similar experiences and, if so, how things have turned out.
After getting the pacer I had to take 6 weeks off swimming to allow the lead to heal in place, though no issues running or biking. After the 6 weeks I gradually got back in the pool: starting with a few easy 100s and building up from there. After the 6th or 7th swim my left arm started to swell a lot, even though I didn't have any swelling issues during those first few swims. The swelling went away after a couple hours but then it swelled up again then next time I was in the pool. I went to get it checked out and found I developed a blood clot in the vein impacted by the lead of the pacemaker, so they put me on blood thinners and told me not to swim (don't want to dislodge the clot). That was back in May.
I got the clot scanned again a few weeks ago and it's still there but is a lot smaller. I was given the clear to try swimming but to stop if my arm swells. I tried once a few weeks ago and had to stop by 400m because my arm was already swelling. Tried again this week and pretty much the same thing.
Anyone with a pacemaker - how long before you were able to get back to swimming? Did any of you also get a clot or have swelling issues? And if so, about how long did it take for the clot and swelling to go away? Basically anything anyone can tell me about their experience would be really appreciated.
Thanks - Brian
A bit of background, in case anyone's interested – I got the pacemaker because about once or twice a year I would pass out cold with little warning. After years of tests I finally learned it's due to an issue where my body doesn't regulate blood pressure and heart rate properly (malignant vasovagal syncope), and with a resting heart rate in the low 30s I would occasionally pass out. I was finally able to record one event last February and found out that I had a 20 second pause with no heart beat. After learning about the pause getting the pacemaker was a foregone conclusion. Now the pacer prevents my heart rate from dropping below 40 bpm.
After getting the pacer I had to take 6 weeks off swimming to allow the lead to heal in place, though no issues running or biking. After the 6 weeks I gradually got back in the pool: starting with a few easy 100s and building up from there. After the 6th or 7th swim my left arm started to swell a lot, even though I didn't have any swelling issues during those first few swims. The swelling went away after a couple hours but then it swelled up again then next time I was in the pool. I went to get it checked out and found I developed a blood clot in the vein impacted by the lead of the pacemaker, so they put me on blood thinners and told me not to swim (don't want to dislodge the clot). That was back in May.
I got the clot scanned again a few weeks ago and it's still there but is a lot smaller. I was given the clear to try swimming but to stop if my arm swells. I tried once a few weeks ago and had to stop by 400m because my arm was already swelling. Tried again this week and pretty much the same thing.
Anyone with a pacemaker - how long before you were able to get back to swimming? Did any of you also get a clot or have swelling issues? And if so, about how long did it take for the clot and swelling to go away? Basically anything anyone can tell me about their experience would be really appreciated.
Thanks - Brian
A bit of background, in case anyone's interested – I got the pacemaker because about once or twice a year I would pass out cold with little warning. After years of tests I finally learned it's due to an issue where my body doesn't regulate blood pressure and heart rate properly (malignant vasovagal syncope), and with a resting heart rate in the low 30s I would occasionally pass out. I was finally able to record one event last February and found out that I had a 20 second pause with no heart beat. After learning about the pause getting the pacemaker was a foregone conclusion. Now the pacer prevents my heart rate from dropping below 40 bpm.