Running post pacemaker

[Likestorun]

I was a fit and active 58 year old and ran regularly. 8 weeks ago I found myself in CCU in complete heart block and a week later had a pacemaker fitted. At my pacemaker follow up on Wednesday I noted I had overall made a good recovery apart from two days the previous week when I had felt unwell. It was discovered I had suffered 48 hours of Atrial Fibrillation and had continued to suffer short episodes (less than a minute at a time of AF). The technician did not seem concerned and my next appointment is 6 months. I had been advised not to go back to running until my 6 week check. I confirmed on Wednesday I could recommence and she tweaked the upper rate of the pacemaker to 140 and advised I could contact them directly if I felt I needed it increasing when running. I went for my first run today and my heart rate went higher than the 140 (according to my garmin watch). Does anyone know if my heart rate going higher than my pacemaker upper limit is going to cause me problems and what symptoms I would suffer which would suggest I need to have the pacemaker further tweaked. I felt fine during and after the run. I realise I should have asked the technician but although she was very pleasant she was quite dismissive when I was asking her questions about the AF and general queries I had about the pacemaker. Thanks for any advice

[bantam12]

Personally I think you are doing to much to soon, last thing you want is to run to hard and dislodge wires !

[cowparsley]

Can`t advise you,I have complete heart block plus pacemaker but I`m not a runner.Perhaps a BHF nurse could give you advice.Haven`t got the number but I`m sure someone on here can provide it.Good luck.

[Fred1954]

My upper limit is set to 155bpm but this is often exceeded even on moderate running. I've not been able to find out what the pacemaker is actually doing at this time. My cardiologist was quite relaxed about a high rate as long as I was in control of the situation and I recovered to my resting heart rate when I stopped. At the last pacemaker check they just said all was fine and I had about 7 years battery life left, but that was it. If you find out anything please let us know.