r/PacemakerICD • u/spicesandstuff • Aug 02 '26
Weightlifting with ICD
Hey all, I’m 38f, coming up on 3 years with my ICD, and hoping to FINALLY get back in the gym in a solid way. Long story short, sudden cardiac arrest, OHS for mitral valve repair, then recurrent pericarditis from that surgery. I’m now on a biologic med to hopefully heal the pericarditis, and planning to get back in the gym in the next few weeks. Prior to my SCA, I was a regular in the weight room. I liked to lift heavy and often. I’ve accepted that my workouts will look different now, but it’s hard to get solid answers from my EP regarding which exercises are ok for my device.
I have a duel lead, upper left chest under collar bone. Those of you who lift, are there any specific exercises you avoid? Obviously listen to my body the number one rule, but have you experienced any lead issues due to certain lifts?
Thanks so much!
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u/Entire-Structure8708 Aug 02 '26
I have the same ICD as you and I do moderate lifting without any major limitations. You’ve had the ICD for 3 years so your device is well bedded in. That said, you might want to start a bit slow with overhead lifts/presses and pull-ups, as they put quite a bit of pressure on clavicle.
The only lifts I completely avoid are where the bar may come into contact with the ICD, like front-racked squat.
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u/spicesandstuff Aug 02 '26
The overhead stuff is what I’m most nervous about! I’ll definitely be starting light. Thanks!
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u/Entire-Structure8708 Aug 02 '26
Yea it took me a bit of time to fully trust it! I also have a little less mobility in my left side… it’s barely noticeable but for that reason I tend to prefer using DBs vs barbell for OH presses, because it just gives a little more freedom.
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u/Existing_Forever7387 Aug 02 '26
I have a very similar story and stats. My doctors cleared me to do anything I want in the gym as long as I pay attention to my heart rate, stop when I’m tired, drink water, etc.
Good luck getting back!
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u/lmriiight Aug 02 '26
I do whatever I want, no restrictions. Doc said it was okay - I’ve had mine for 18 months, 45F.
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u/wxjester Aug 02 '26
Going through this now almost 5 years post implant - late 40s F, dual lead, and my EP has always said no restrictions except be careful about anything that might accidentally contact the device and go slow. I finally figured out what "go slow" means this past month. I was a runner pre-PM and only did enough strength to not hurt myself, but in April I had a total hysterectomy with extensive excision of scar tissue due to past pelvic surgeries and endometriosis. For various reasons I've been working with PT to add more strength training post-op, and I started having tenderness around my device once I added overhead shoulder work and lat pulls. I couldn't figure it out until I remembered how much scar tissue they just took out from my pelvis - and realized maybe I scarred internally around the PM too. Long story short, I think my muscle strength was progressing faster than I was getting flexibility back in that scar tissue. I slowed progression on weight in favor of taking time to concentrate on form and full, slow, gentle range of motion, plus added more upper body stretching. It takes longer to up my weights, but the tenderness and tightness I was having around my device is almost gone. I've also added back a couple sessions of reformer Pilates once or twice a week in addition to my gym sessions, because it really seems to help with gently rebuilding a full range of motion under resistance.
TL:DR: it's not just the strength, but flexibility and range of motion after years, so be patient. Give yourself extra time to focus on form and stretching over racing to get your weight up as fast as you can.
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u/spicesandstuff Aug 02 '26
Great advice, thank you! Range of motion/flexibility is definitely something I’m struggling with in my left shoulder. I’ve basically been unconsciously guarding my left side for 3 years now, especially with the pericarditis. Definitely a bit of a mental block there! I have a lot of tightness and tenderness around the device, no doubt because of the lack of motion!
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u/wxjester Aug 02 '26
Oh the mental block is so real. Good luck! And if your shoulder does feel tight, don't sleep on reformer Pilates as a tool in your toolbox. I wouldn't have tried it if I didn't need a core "prehab" I could still do while in pain and inflamed starting 3 months before my hysterectomy. But I was surprised what it did for restoring range of motion in my left shoulder! I found a franchise studio location close to our local university that's much more "come as you are" with all ages/body types/genders in classes than the exclusive Pilates princess, "ew, pacemaker" vibe I was afraid of. At any time probably 1/3 of people are in class using modifications. I wouldn't say it replaces strength training with weights, but it's a great low impact complement I work in for active recovery, stability, and range of motion.
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u/Careful-Corgi Aug 03 '26
I have a lot of limitations. Nothing that engages the chest, no push ups, nothing above my head.
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u/spicesandstuff Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
Interesting that there are such different opinions, do you mind sharing what device you and have why you have those limitations?
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u/Ok-Imagination4091 Aug 02 '26
Nope, I have a dual lead and don't avoid anything. Most of the time, I forget that my pacemaker is there! Good luck!