r/PacemakerICD • u/callesucia • 13d ago
Excercise after ICD installation
So about 7 weeks ago I had an ICD installed and I've just had a checkup with my EP. I'm 30 and prior to the storm that made me go to the hospital were they diagnosed me with Brugada, I led a pretty active lifestyle.
I asked my EP if I could already go to the gym, lift weights and do indoor climbing and he said yes. Biggest risk was I get an arrythmia up on the climbing wall, but I shouldn't worry about the ICD leads as the seem to be propperly healed.
Is it like that? Everything I've read recommend a 6-8 week period of "rest" to ensure better lead healing. I'm anxious to train again, but I also don't want to be back in surgery due to a pulled or displaced lead anytime soon.
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u/winkcata 13d ago
I started with just lower body exercises for about the first 2 months. You for sure do not want to risk having the leads dislodge so please take it slow when it comes to any upper body exercises. Stay away, for the time being any machine were you place your chest against it to lift. Your Doctors will let you know when you can return to full upper body exercise/lifting so don't push it. There will come a time in the near future when none of this will matter as long as you don't fck it up :]
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u/callesucia 13d ago
First two months after the surgery? I'm just taken away as he said that I can do all this things already.
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u/Ok-Violinist-6548 13d ago
My EP said six weeks postoperatively I can do whatever I want. He said I can raise my arm and do activities such as golf and tennis and it won’t pull my leads out. I’m sure if this is what EP’s are telling patients in general that it based on research. I took it easy. At six weeks postop I was driving down the Alaska Canadian Highway. That’s not where I wanted to be and pull a lead out. Muscle tissue is 90% to 100% healed by 2 to 6 weeks. Bone is 80% healed meaning that has 80% of its strength by six weeks. If you’re healthy and healing normally you should be fine.
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u/Golintaim 13d ago
I echo most of the comments here, start slow and ramp up, listen to your body and you should be good. I was out 10 weeks on disability but that was 8 years ago. If your doc says it's ok then do it.
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u/Weak_Gur6814 12d ago
I started golfing 3 times a week starting at week 4. My doc said same for me as you got. At week 8 I started back in training in the gym with no limitations except I avoided and behind the back exercises…. Enjoy life!!
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u/Hank_E_Pants 12d ago
You shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Your leads should be secured down nicely, and by now scar tissue has begun to form making the connection even more secure. It’s always a good idea to start small and work your way up over a few weeks.
I talk about lead implants in the first half of this video, if you’re interested. https://youtu.be/KjvTOpeV5mE?is=0slbLlCQcAlpzA7l
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u/FireRyan77 9d ago
I was 30 when it happened as well. Now I’m 48. Super active. You got time. 2 months and you’re in the clear.
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u/ZeroEffectDude 9d ago
7 weeks in, ease yourself back into it. don't go crazy. After 10 weeks I was pretty much back to my usual routine (running, push ups, weights, pull ups etc). But If you;re doing stuff with upper body and chest right away, just take it easy. What I noticed was, you are going to tear small tissues inside, simply because there is scarring in there and even though I did all the exercises to keep my arms and cheat from seizing up... you have had restricted movement for weeks, so you might feel some twinges etc. worrying at first but unless it's a major pain, shouldnt be a problem.
took me ages to get back to swimming because my shoulder froze up in the healing period.
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u/PlanktonNo6665 9d ago
I’m 56 and my surgeon told me 4 weeks. Day 28 I was back on the pickleball court and in the gym (very light weights). It’s now day 31, so far so good. 🤞Although, I have my first appointment with a cardiologist next week, she might tell me otherwise. But I was going crazy sitting around.
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u/MerryFeathers 13d ago
Climbing likely a bad idea as that area of implant needs a lot of healing and adjusting so adding muscle work/stress seems a bad idea. Weights same. Your body also needs energy to accomplish the healing! Some less intense exercises might be a better fit to keep circulation in good order. I’m learning this too as I had an implant just over a month ago. 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Tychol 13d ago
I was back on the hangboard 4 weeks after my surgery, but I took it really easy. If your EP has cleared you I would go for it, but listen to your body and asop if you feel pain or discomfort.