This is a great help. I'm exactly 6 weeks post implant. First day back in the gym today. Used 5 lb dumbbells for some partial presses. Felt silly, but still nice to be back doing something.
Happy you found it helpful. I have several other videos, including some that give you safe exercises to do right after to help with recovery. Good luck!
Hello Gina. I am a 49 year old woman who thrives from working out, like you do. I love CrossFit too! I lift weights, do HITT, circuits, strength training and love creating my own full body workouts. I found your channel the week before Christmas when I had my pacemaker placed. I have sinus bradycardia and complete AV block, my cardiologist just discovered it had progressed to 3rd degree just these past month and I had to get the pacemaker fairly quickly. It happened fast and a lot to accept all at once as you know. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me finding you bc there is so little info out there for athletic people with a pacemaker. Thank you so much for creating these videos. I’m grateful for the encouragement they’ve brought to me. I needed hope for my heart in more ways than one. I’m ever grateful it beats stronger now and desire to live full. I still have so much to rediscover so I can live a full life doing what I love. It is only day 10 for me. So I’m just trying yo get my arm to be mobile again. I’m going day by day for now but I am so ready to get back to the excessive push ups I long to do and I really hope to do all my favorite shoulder and upper body exercises again one day too. I see my doctor tomorrow, I hope he will be able to encourage me in my desire to set fitness goals, so I can continue to pursue being an athletic woman living with a pacemaker. I will keep the notification bell on, I hope to hear from you more Gina. May you be blessed as you’ve been a blessing to me. You are a strong, enduring, determined, woman! Thank you again ☺️
@@ManuPantoja777 I hold the state record in clean and jerk and I just broke the record in october with my pacemaker. Cleans and snatches are my favorite movements. You don't have to worry about hitting the pacemaker if that is your concern. It still simply goes back to anytime you contract the muscles in the area of the pacemaker, it will press on the leads. But that doesn't mean that carrying a bag or groceries vs doing a clean contracts the muscles any less. A muscle contraction is a muscle contraction. That is really the take away that I want everyone to understand. Unless you don't use the arm at all, you are still going to activate those muscles with everyday activity.
I had a dual chamber pacemaker installed 9/21 due to sinus node issues (low heartbeat, atrial flutter), did a month of no to limited left arm movement, took it easy for another month, and resumed normal activity to relieve frozen shoulder, which didn't involve workouts, etc. My first diagnostic visit, ecg showed that the top lead had pulled out of the heart, oh great. Reason unknown, lead may have been too short, wasn't fully lodged in the heart muscle, just sometimes happens. Successful Re-insertion surgery 1/22, although I went into atrial flutter and it hasn't stopped. We are trying medication first so far not working, then will do an electrical cardioversion (did that prior to pacemaker, stopped the flutter), then do a Catheter ablation. So, anyway, the frozen shoulder issue is back again, never really got rid of it fully from the 1st time. Concerned about doing anything that might affect the lead, my Cardiologist said just take it easy. Although, I am now worried there might be some permanent issues due to having had this frozen shoulder now 2x.
Yup, I have one, and my last checkup showed a slight electrical interference with one lead. I can't see stopping my exercise and activities over this, as that is what keeps me from being depressed. I have such a busy and active life, and not being able to do these things would crush me.
Quality of life is always a factor in the decision to be active or not. And really it pertains to problems other than heart issues. I just told a client yesterday, who has arthritis in her knee, that if she wants to play tennis and it makes her happy then she has to consider that in her choice to play or not. It likely won’t make the arthritis worse, just aggravate it here and there. So for me I will always choose quality of life over a few aches or pains or a slight possibility of messing up the lead.
Thank you for your post. I am 44yo female who is very active. I kept asking are there limitations after my pacemaker? The answer from the multiple cardiologists on my case was no but it’s still devastating to have one. It was unexpected to get one after I first went in for valve replacement and my heart went into 3rd degree block afterwards so the pacemaker was unavoidable. I spent some time feeling a bit bummed but your video gave me hope. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you Gina for this info/video and hello fellow pacemaker patients. Pre procedure, I used to do a circuit routine where I repeated this cycle X times until I felt fatigue, etc. 10x knee bends, 6x wide arm pull ups, 10x knee bends, 10x push ups, 6x curls. I would repeat this set of 5 exercises either 5 to 10 times with no rest in between exercises. My main concern post procedure and with the implant in place are the wide arm pullups and the concern there is with any adverse affect on the leads. I would appreciate any comments, input, etc on that concern. Naturally, I will pass this by my cardiologist before beginning, but I wanted to also get input from actual users. Thank you. Tom
@@tommanion3190 I do chin over bar and chest to bar pull-ups and bar muscle ups. And basically EVERYTHING and conservative dr would tell me not to do. Just a personal choice to risk that 4%.
@@ginahoegh Thank you Gina. Does anyone know what happens when a lead dislodges? I assume the audible alarm goes haywire, but i'm more concerned with what negative affects it will have on my intrinsic beating. I am brand new to this medical assistance, but I'm of the belief that if the device suddenly stops working, your own pre procedure heart behavior would continue, including any disadvantages within that. In my case, they are looking to correct a poor EF% due to LBBB. Thanks for this channel Gina. Tom
I had a pacemaker fitted last year after I had emergency open heart surgery when 2 of my valves burst. I previously had a cows valve that I got when I was 20. I woke up and they had changed the cows valve to a metal valve. A year on and I am Thai boxing. No sparring due to pacemaker. Weight citcuits and cycling every other day. I'm 30 and from Scotland
Just curious about your research. Was there any specific brand of pacemaker manufacturer that is more prone to wire breakage. Do you know what type of metal the wires are made of? I have a fresh Medtronic CRT-D just placed 12 days ago and do not plan on slowing down or changing my workout routine once cleared by my MD. I am 68 and the gym has been my, for me, selfish time for a good 25 years. I am already feeling down in dumps after just 12 days. Walking a lot! Thanks !
I did not find any research indicating one pacemaker was better than the other. But if the gym helps you stay sane like it does me, and I would strongly encourage you to get back into it as soon as you are released. I have several videos on safe exercises to do after your pacemaker while you’re still recovering. If you haven’t looked at those, that should help get you going until you are fully back on track.
Hi Gina. I'm a 39 yo dude and I got my pacemaker about a month ago due to av blocks (3rd degrees), probably related to a night vague nerve syndrome. Anyway, I used to practice jiu jitsu, which is a full contact sport (which is usually not recomended). However, that's my sport and I am trying to find ways to get back to it as soon as possible. I am thinking about wearing some protection and even maybe have something customly crafted for that purpose - maybe somenthing like a groin guard, but for the pacemaker area... anyway, do you have anu experience or heard of anyone doing jiu jitsu, judo, wrestling or similar activities with a pacemaker? Do you have any thoughts on that? Thanks!
The pacemaker itself is super strong. You won’t damage it, but the soft tissue around it will be irritated with direct contact. I’ve hit my pacemaker on a pull up bar doing chest to bar pull ups and it was a little tender after. So I’m sure with your sport it could get pretty irritated. So I think having some type of protection would be crucial in order for you to comfortably be able to do that sport. Otherwise I don’t see any issues with it unless you have some limitations in range of motion following. For example I still have a little stretch discomfort when I stretch my pec fully so if you were to get pinned down in someway that might stretch it it might not be real comfortable or if I take my left arm across my chest and it compresses around the pacemaker that’s a little uncomfortable too. But again nothing that would damage the pacemaker more just a soft tissue discomfort.
@@ginahoegh thanks for your reply! I am now searching for a protective gear! I will certainly need one. I still don't know which movements will cause me discomfort (I haven't even raised my left arm from my chest up), but I see that some angles are not very comfortable... anyway, I will let you know if I find any protection gear that works for my kind of sport. Thanks again and keep up with your videos!
I had a dual chamber pacemaker implanted about a week ago. I'm seventy five and have been doing strength training since I was sixteen. In recent years I've transitioned into resistance bands and isometric exercises to preserve my joints. When I'm able to resume training (about six weeks per doctors instructions), I was planning to do primarily isometrics. I do three thirty second holds at different positions per exercise using about seventy five percent intensity. Of course when I resume, I will use much less intensity and increase gradually. I was thinking static contractions would less likely to cause lead breakage. My doctor said I can do any kind of exercise but I prefer to err on the side of caution. I've gotten excellent results with isometrics. What are your thoughts?
In the end, any type of muscle contraction can put pressure between the muscle and clavicle to cause the breakage. A 30 second sustained contraction versus intermittent is still putting the same compression. I like isometrics and it’s a good choice. But I don’t think it will prevent you from falling into that 4%. I truly believe it’s more of a structural issue.
Thank you for this! Less than a week ago I had a pacemaker placed. Looking for free body weight exercises I did in the past..... Am a little nervous....
@@ginahoegh I am as I am writing this, thank you so much. I am 61 and have worked out and have taken ballet most of my life, I was in shock. S node needed some help.
I'm a martial arts instructor. I had a pacemaker put in May of 2020. My EP told me it would take several years of exercise and punching to have even a possibility of damaging the leads, and most likely they'd last until the batteries wore out. So I worked back into it gradually. He did place 2 limits on me. 1. No getting hit on the pacemaker or leads (well duh 😆 ) 2. No more getting thrown to the ground, but I can still practice my throws. I'm back to, at 63, being able to work students that are 20- 50 years younger than me into the ground. And I'm also back to being able to do fingertip pushups. And I wear a pacemaker guard in class when teaching as added insurance. A PM does NOT mean the end of physical activity, unless an individual wants to use it as an excuse to do so.
That’s awesome! I completely agree, but unfortunately drs either scare the patient by telling them it’s dangerous or not making it clear that it’s ok to exercise.
I had a pm fitted just over two months, i was told take it easy for 3 months , which I will do. After this i hope to get back into my muay thai sessions, without sparring, do you think this is feasable. Plus what is this pm guard you speak of, where can i get one. Thanks
Ciao gina io sto in italia porto il pleismeker volevo vedere gli esercizi che si possono fare con un pleismeker inpiantato soprattutto con le braccia grazie
I really needed to read that because. I’m 71 yr gal. I get my pacemaker on Friday. I’m scared to death I’m doing something stupid. I want to enjoy the outdoors and my grandkids. Drs don’t explain much. Thanks for ur great post
Unless you have restrictions from your doctor or don’t feel comfortable with a particular movement, you are free to do any type of weight training that you prefer.
This is a great help. I'm exactly 6 weeks post implant. First day back in the gym today. Used 5 lb dumbbells for some partial presses. Felt silly, but still nice to be back doing something.
Gina you have explained to me a lot better than my heart cardiologist. Thank you❣️
Sadly that seems to be the norm. Glad I could help.
This video helped answer my questions about working out your chest. Thanks
Thank you! ❤️
Thanks. I'm getting my pacemaker tomorrow...this is helpful.
Happy you found it helpful. I have several other videos, including some that give you safe exercises to do right after to help with recovery. Good luck!
@@ginahoegh Thanks! Seeing your video gave me confidence and I really appreciate that.
I’m getting mine on Friday and this helped my thinking so much 👍🫠
Which one?
Hello Gina. I am a 49 year old woman who thrives from working out, like you do. I love CrossFit too! I lift weights, do HITT, circuits, strength training and love creating my own full body workouts. I found your channel the week before Christmas when I had my pacemaker placed. I have sinus bradycardia and complete AV block, my cardiologist just discovered it had progressed to 3rd degree just these past month and I had to get the pacemaker fairly quickly. It happened fast and a lot to accept all at once as you know. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me finding you bc there is so little info out there for athletic people with a pacemaker. Thank you so much for creating these videos. I’m grateful for the encouragement they’ve brought to me. I needed hope for my heart in more ways than one. I’m ever grateful it beats stronger now and desire to live full. I still have so much to rediscover so I can live a full life doing what I love. It is only day 10 for me. So I’m just trying yo get my arm to be mobile again. I’m going day by day for now but I am so ready to get back to the excessive push ups I long to do and I really hope to do all my favorite shoulder and upper body exercises again one day too. I see my doctor tomorrow, I hope he will be able to encourage me in my desire to set fitness goals, so I can continue to pursue being an athletic woman living with a pacemaker. I will keep the notification bell on, I hope to hear from you more Gina. May you be blessed as you’ve been a blessing to me. You are a strong, enduring, determined, woman! Thank you again ☺️
Thank you so much for sharing your story! Happy I could give you some encouragement!!
I am in the same spot. I have to get my pacemaker soon. 😩. I do CrossFit also.
@@ginahoegh how about do a heavy squat clean? This is my concern. It’s my favorite movement.
@@ManuPantoja777 I hold the state record in clean and jerk and I just broke the record in october with my pacemaker. Cleans and snatches are my favorite movements. You don't have to worry about hitting the pacemaker if that is your concern. It still simply goes back to anytime you contract the muscles in the area of the pacemaker, it will press on the leads. But that doesn't mean that carrying a bag or groceries vs doing a clean contracts the muscles any less. A muscle contraction is a muscle contraction. That is really the take away that I want everyone to understand. Unless you don't use the arm at all, you are still going to activate those muscles with everyday activity.
I had a dual chamber pacemaker installed 9/21 due to sinus node issues (low heartbeat, atrial flutter), did a month of no to limited left arm movement, took it easy for another month, and resumed normal activity to relieve frozen shoulder, which didn't involve workouts, etc. My first diagnostic visit, ecg showed that the top lead had pulled out of the heart, oh great. Reason unknown, lead may have been too short, wasn't fully lodged in the heart muscle, just sometimes happens. Successful Re-insertion surgery 1/22, although I went into atrial flutter and it hasn't stopped. We are trying medication first so far not working, then will do an electrical cardioversion (did that prior to pacemaker, stopped the flutter), then do a Catheter ablation. So, anyway, the frozen shoulder issue is back again, never really got rid of it fully from the 1st time. Concerned about doing anything that might affect the lead, my Cardiologist said just take it easy. Although, I am now worried there might be some permanent issues due to having had this frozen shoulder now 2x.
Yup, I have one, and my last checkup showed a slight electrical interference with one lead. I can't see stopping my exercise and activities over this, as that is what keeps me from being depressed. I have such a busy and active life, and not being able to do these things would crush me.
Quality of life is always a factor in the decision to be active or not. And really it pertains to problems other than heart issues. I just told a client yesterday, who has arthritis in her knee, that if she wants to play tennis and it makes her happy then she has to consider that in her choice to play or not. It likely won’t make the arthritis worse, just aggravate it here and there. So for me I will always choose quality of life over a few aches or pains or a slight possibility of messing up the lead.
Thank you for your post. I am 44yo female who is very active. I kept asking are there limitations after my pacemaker? The answer from the multiple cardiologists on my case was no but it’s still devastating to have one. It was unexpected to get one after I first went in for valve replacement and my heart went into 3rd degree block afterwards so the pacemaker was unavoidable. I spent some time feeling a bit bummed but your video gave me hope. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I’m glad I could give you some hope. I forget I have mine so I hope the same for you!
Thank you Gina for this info/video and hello fellow pacemaker patients. Pre procedure, I used to do a circuit routine where I repeated this cycle X times until I felt fatigue, etc. 10x knee bends, 6x wide arm pull ups, 10x knee bends, 10x push ups, 6x curls. I would repeat this set of 5 exercises either 5 to 10 times with no rest in between exercises. My main concern post procedure and with the implant in place are the wide arm pullups and the concern there is with any adverse affect on the leads. I would appreciate any comments, input, etc on that concern. Naturally, I will pass this by my cardiologist before beginning, but I wanted to also get input from actual users. Thank you. Tom
@@tommanion3190 I do chin over bar and chest to bar pull-ups and bar muscle ups. And basically EVERYTHING and conservative dr would tell me not to do. Just a personal choice to risk that 4%.
@@ginahoegh Thank you Gina. Does anyone know what happens when a lead dislodges? I assume the audible alarm goes haywire, but i'm more concerned with what negative affects it will have on my intrinsic beating. I am brand new to this medical assistance, but I'm of the belief that if the device suddenly stops working, your own pre procedure heart behavior would continue, including any disadvantages within that. In my case, they are looking to correct a poor EF% due to LBBB. Thanks for this channel Gina. Tom
@@tommanion3190 it would stop working properly and you would go back to your hearts own pacing. I’m not aware of any alarm.
I had a pacemaker fitted last year after I had emergency open heart surgery when 2 of my valves burst. I previously had a cows valve that I got when I was 20. I woke up and they had changed the cows valve to a metal valve. A year on and I am Thai boxing. No sparring due to pacemaker. Weight citcuits and cycling every other day. I'm 30 and from Scotland
So happy to hear that you are staying active!
@@ginahoegh thankyou. With pacemaker. Is pullups and other exercises ok? My doctor told me don't let it restrict me so I just go for it
@@DK-sv6on As long as you feel comfortable with it and your doc said no restrictions, then you are good!
@@ginahoegh thankyou
Just curious about your research. Was there any specific brand of pacemaker manufacturer that is more prone to wire breakage. Do you know what type of metal the wires are made of? I have a fresh Medtronic CRT-D just placed 12 days ago and do not plan on slowing down or changing my workout routine once cleared by my MD. I am 68 and the gym has been my, for me, selfish time for a good 25 years. I am already feeling down in dumps after just 12 days. Walking a lot! Thanks !
I did not find any research indicating one pacemaker was better than the other. But if the gym helps you stay sane like it does me, and I would strongly encourage you to get back into it as soon as you are released. I have several videos on safe exercises to do after your pacemaker while you’re still recovering. If you haven’t looked at those, that should help get you going until you are fully back on track.
@@ginahoegh I have watched several of your videos. Good stuff, keep up the good work!
Hi Gina. I'm a 39 yo dude and I got my pacemaker about a month ago due to av blocks (3rd degrees), probably related to a night vague nerve syndrome. Anyway, I used to practice jiu jitsu, which is a full contact sport (which is usually not recomended). However, that's my sport and I am trying to find ways to get back to it as soon as possible. I am thinking about wearing some protection and even maybe have something customly crafted for that purpose - maybe somenthing like a groin guard, but for the pacemaker area... anyway, do you have anu experience or heard of anyone doing jiu jitsu, judo, wrestling or similar activities with a pacemaker? Do you have any thoughts on that? Thanks!
The pacemaker itself is super strong. You won’t damage it, but the soft tissue around it will be irritated with direct contact. I’ve hit my pacemaker on a pull up bar doing chest to bar pull ups and it was a little tender after. So I’m sure with your sport it could get pretty irritated. So I think having some type of protection would be crucial in order for you to comfortably be able to do that sport. Otherwise I don’t see any issues with it unless you have some limitations in range of motion following. For example I still have a little stretch discomfort when I stretch my pec fully so if you were to get pinned down in someway that might stretch it it might not be real comfortable or if I take my left arm across my chest and it compresses around the pacemaker that’s a little uncomfortable too. But again nothing that would damage the pacemaker more just a soft tissue discomfort.
@@ginahoegh thanks for your reply! I am now searching for a protective gear! I will certainly need one. I still don't know which movements will cause me discomfort (I haven't even raised my left arm from my chest up), but I see that some angles are not very comfortable... anyway, I will let you know if I find any protection gear that works for my kind of sport. Thanks again and keep up with your videos!
Can heavy bags be carried after 8 months of pacemaker implantation?
Hi Gina,
Have you also performed muscle ups within your training?
I can do bar muscle ups
I had a dual chamber pacemaker implanted about a week ago. I'm seventy five and have been doing strength training since I was sixteen. In recent years I've transitioned into resistance bands and isometric exercises to preserve my joints. When I'm able to resume training (about six weeks per doctors instructions), I was planning to do primarily isometrics. I do three thirty second holds at different positions per exercise using about seventy five percent intensity. Of course when I resume, I will use much less intensity and increase gradually. I was thinking static contractions would less likely to cause lead breakage. My doctor said I can do any kind of exercise but I prefer to err on the side of caution. I've gotten excellent results with isometrics. What are your thoughts?
In the end, any type of muscle contraction can put pressure between the muscle and clavicle to cause the breakage. A 30 second sustained contraction versus intermittent is still putting the same compression. I like isometrics and it’s a good choice. But I don’t think it will prevent you from falling into that 4%. I truly believe it’s more of a structural issue.
Thank you for your reply. Your videos have been very helpful and reassuring.@@ginahoegh
Thank you for this! Less than a week ago I had a pacemaker placed. Looking for free body weight exercises I did in the past..... Am a little nervous....
Take a look at the videos I have for safe exercises to do during your recovery.
@@ginahoegh I am as I am writing this, thank you so much. I am 61 and have worked out and have taken ballet most of my life, I was in shock. S node needed some help.
@@maryfischer5300 you will get back to it in no time!
@@ginahoegh Thank you!!
Ive been lifting for almost year with crt-d device and i just realized now leads might break. Its hard to stop
Definitely a very personal decision.
I'm a martial arts instructor. I had a pacemaker put in May of 2020. My EP told me it would take several years of exercise and punching to have even a possibility of damaging the leads, and most likely they'd last until the batteries wore out. So I worked back into it gradually. He did place 2 limits on me.
1. No getting hit on the pacemaker or leads (well duh 😆 )
2. No more getting thrown to the ground, but I can still practice my throws.
I'm back to, at 63, being able to work students that are 20- 50 years younger than me into the ground. And I'm also back to being able to do fingertip pushups. And I wear a pacemaker guard in class when teaching as added insurance. A PM does NOT mean the end of physical activity, unless an individual wants to use it as an excuse to do so.
That’s awesome! I completely agree, but unfortunately drs either scare the patient by telling them it’s dangerous or not making it clear that it’s ok to exercise.
I had a pm fitted just over two months, i was told take it easy for 3 months , which I will do. After this i hope to get back into my muay thai sessions, without sparring, do you think this is feasable. Plus what is this pm guard you speak of, where can i get one. Thanks
Ciao gina io sto in italia porto il pleismeker volevo vedere gli esercizi che si possono fare con un pleismeker inpiantato soprattutto con le braccia grazie
73 year old, did 2 triathlons last weekend. Works great 🎉
That’s awesome!!!
I really needed to read that because. I’m 71 yr gal. I get my pacemaker on Friday. I’m scared to death I’m doing something stupid. I want to enjoy the outdoors and my grandkids. Drs don’t explain much. Thanks for ur great post
@@debbietolbert4959 I also qualified for the worlds triathlon in Spain in 2024 as a 75 year old. Go slow. I started by walking
Hi gina mam i am 17 years old i had pacemaker last September 2023 what kind of exercise i can do to build muscle and reduce fat
Unless you have restrictions from your doctor or don’t feel comfortable with a particular movement, you are free to do any type of weight training that you prefer.
@@ginahoegh thnx mam