S-ICD - Am I still able to exercise as normal without too many limitations?

[Tezz12]

Hi all, thanks for reading!

I’m in my early 30’s and have recently been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and I’m having a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) put in soon.

I am very sporty and love running (fortunately my specialists have said I can carry on with this but I now have to take the exercise easier and do my training at a lower heart rate now).

I just wondered if any one has an S-ICD? And if you have found many limitations to exercise or things you can’t do please? When you have an S-ICD, is it okay when running, swimming, cycling or doing light weights at the gym? Or does the size of it /wires make things like this a bit awkward?

I know having the other type of wired ICD would of possibly had a few movement restrictions due to the wiring through the vein but if anyone has any positive thoughts on movement and exercise with an S-ICD, I’d love to hear!

Getting a bit worried about it now! Thank you! 😊

[sturon]

My husband has an S-ICD implanted 6 years ago. It doesn't really limit him in anyway. Unlike you he had this implanted following a cardiac arrest, he has long QT syndrome. The only limitation is he can not come near the induction hob as it has a magnetic field and at the airport he has to bypass the normal security scan. He just show his card and they do a manual search.

Good luck.

[A246]

Hello Tezz I am an older lady in my late fifies, I had my ICD fitted in February this year. I couldn't and was advised not to fully extend my affected left arm above my head. As there is a great risk of pulling my wires out. It was very sore for a couple of weeks. I am just getting full range of motion back on left side. I make sure that my weights are not too heavy as to not put too much strain on affected side. It is mainly about being mindful of affected side and looking after your ICD. I am really glad that I had my ICD fitted, and happy to exercise now. Good luck mate. Please keep us updated if that is ok. Thank you.

[CrofterG]

Hi I had an ICD fitted last October and I'm back to chucking 25kg bags of sheep feed around as well as rolling the big bales around (so I can pick them up with the tractor admittedly) so all is good and apart from the hobs and airport detectors everything is pretty normal

[the-demi-god]

There is usually a nurse specialist attached to the unit and will give you advice, it is difficult to make judgements about exercise because each person is slightly different in one way or another. Since she has access to your records constructive advice is easier to give & probably more helpful