hello

[George6969]

hi everyone I got pacemaker and a defibrillator fitted 3 months ago. I am going to start training again ie lifting weights. To brake back in . My question is the gym I train at has a hot tub and sauna. Do you think it will be safe for me to use them ? Thanks in advance

[Hanibil]

Heavy weight lifting is discouraged, as for hot tub I would seek medical advice.

[George6969 in reply to Hanibil]

Not going to be doing anything heavy. Just light weight training

[Happyrosie]

when I belonged to a gym I was told not to use sauna or hot tub because I was being treated for hypertension.

I wouldn’t use these without medical advice.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

If you want a professional opinion in addition to the helpful comments already made I suggest you talk to the BHF Heart Helpline nurse

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[devonian186]

Many commercial saunas and hot tubs have notices warning people with heart conditions not to use them. Also weight training puts in another large factor.

I would definitely take proper advice from those who treated you before starting anything.

[Pouchielou1972]

I can only speak for myself, as we each have different diagnoses here, but I have an ICD and heart failure...I checked with my HF nurse, pacing clinic and device nurse if it was ok for me to use a hot tub/sauna/steam room. They said the hot tub is ok for 5 mins max at a time and make sure I wasn’t on my own to be careful of it taking my body temp too high. They thought it best to avoid the sauna and steam rooms.I went back to weight training around 3 months after my implant and felt so much better for it. I just adjusted the weight slightly that I used to lift. So where I would use a 7kg weight, I dropped to a 4kg/5kg.

All the best 🤗

[George6969 in reply to Pouchielou1972]

Thanks

[George6969 in reply to Pouchielou1972]

do you not think the health professionals are to causes

[Pouchielou1972 in reply to George6969]

They are and I totally get why...just like when you go to a theme park for example and there are signs saying to be avoided by people with heart conditions, as they like to err on the side of caution to protect themselves and us. I'm believer in making assessing each situation separately and where I feel comfortable. I recently went go karting with my family and there was a sign saying that anyone with heart conditions should not participate, but I felt comfortable that this wouldn't affect me and I'm so glad I did...I also took my daughter and her friends indoor wall climbing and I absolutely loved taking part. I want to go on roller coasters with my family...and although the technician at the pacing clinic said, 'go and enjoy yourself, what's the worst that can happen?'...I am a bit cautious about taking part as this I feel is perhaps a step too far! 🤔

[Mitchum]

As a longstanding weight trainer I started again four months after valve replacement and arterial bypass. The cardiologist advised me not to use sauna or hot tub.

[Lezzers]

You may find the gym itself may have restrictions with sauna's, hot tubs for those with heart conditions. There's usually a notice nearby that will tell you the conditions, or perhaps ask one of the staff as it could invalidate their insurance.

Whether or not you can do weight training with an ICD &/or use a sauna, hot tub would be a question for your medical team. My husband has always been told he can't do weights, not because his medical team are over cautious (although being cautious isn't a bad thing) but because of the risk of arrythimias, damage to the ICD, leads etc.

[Lilbandit88]

as far as I’ve been told saunas, hot tubs & steam rooms etc should be avoided as they create deep states of relaxation that can induce a cardiac episode but double check with your cardiologist as they may disagree with mine

[DW4019]

hi George- please don’t think I’m being negative but my advice is don’t do any of the 3 things you mentioned. Especially the hot tub and sauna. I have had a ICD for over 30 yrs and was quite clearly told that lifting weights above your head could dislodge some of the wires to the ICD.

Always air on the side of caution hope this helps you my friend

[George6969 in reply to DW4019]

Hi thanks for advice. But the hot tub and sauna am not to bother with. But lifting weights I am . I have been trying for 40 + years. There are lots of exercises you can do with out lifting weights above ur head . Before I got the device fitted i asked the professor if i would still be able to go back to lifting weights. And his answer was live your life.

[DW4019 in reply to George6969]

I am only giving you my experience, of what I have been told and having over 40 shocks in one month. I was even told to avoid rowing machines. Always speak to your “professor” as each person may have the different experiences, I have had an ICD for 30 years so things have changed since then. Just giving you my experience George, as I am now waiting for a heart transplant….

[Chinkoflight]

Hi George , I think your determination to get training again is fantastic. I had an LVT collapse and subsequent ICD implanted on March 12th. By the time I was home the right atrial pacing lead had failed although I had to live with the really awful experience for a further three weeks before the hospital accepted there was something wrong. In that three weeks I was beginning to feel I could not live with this new normal. The EP pacing technician switched the lead off and immediately I felt okay.On May 1st I had the ICD removed, the offending lead removed because it had detached, a new lead fitted and the box replaced in a special pouch. The consultant commented on putting in a longer lead, adding additional silk stitches (!!) and securing the box in the pouch. He was also paranoid about the infection risks which are much higher for aead revision procedure.

I researched all of this and it's not uncommon cause of problems in the first months following an implant.

I have decided reluctantly to be a absolutely super cautious in my rehab because I really don't want another lead failure. I'm thinking 6 months minimum for the leads to be absolutely sinewed up! So instead of running immediately I've upped my walking and am planning to do some backpacking long walks eg The Ridgeway. I'm happy lifting things eg carrying heavy shopping bags but definitely not above my head. Straight lifts etc.

I have gym membership and the guys there were super helpful when I went for the first time. They were great suggesting exercise routines in the weight machines. If you think about how the wires are routed out of the box you might be able to be sure lifts are not opposing the directions of the wires.

I've also read some research about returning to exercise with ICD and medication and the importance of recovery days becomes more important. I was easily running 5 days a week but if/when I do run again it will be three days a week only.

You've also had excellent advice above.

It's hard suppressing the desire to get back doing stuff but I've found I need a longer plan.

[George6969 in reply to Chinkoflight]

Hi I am sorry to hear you had so much trouble. But happy you doing okay. I got my device fitted about 3 months ago. On reflection i think i might leave the gym a bit longer. But i definitely want and need to get back. I will never know how i get on if i don’t try.

[Chinkoflight in reply to George6969]

Absolutely, running for me will be the restoration of normal. But I'll not be 'training' or worrying about improving my performance. It will be a run not a race! And maybe a run a bit walk a bit......... I don't want another SCA, I don't want to depend on the ICD doing it's job! Living and running a bit is more important than running a lot..... I think a good decision George. Always looking still for a #chinkoflight. Cheers Nigel

[George6969 in reply to Chinkoflight]

Hi see the thing is I have to get 2 new hips at some point. So running or even walking is a no no for me I can walk far and I am in lot of pain. I am on morphine tablets for pain relief. But it doesn’t take the pain away. June let’s me get a desert sleep

[George6969 in reply to George6969]

Can’t walk

[DWizza in reply to George6969]

Hi George , I was told on Friday I need a new left hip , no argument from the consultant, thought I was going to have a bit of a fight on my hands 🤦🏼🤣. I knew it hurt but wasn’t expecting the X-ray to be so clear cut , bone on bone 🤢. Been in pain for about 2 years. Consultant said “ I think your running days are over , cycling and rowing machine for you “ I’ll take that , I’ve done my days of lifting , everything is bloody painful these days , heart attack , quadruple bypass was a breeze in comparison 🤦🏼🤦🏼🤦🏼🤣🤣🤣. Cardio fitness is now my goal , I hope to get back to some seated weights to get some muscle back . Heading for 12 months post surgery, lost a lot of weight and muscle , no longer stacked but got enough to look and feel fit . I started training aged 56 , top line photos of me losing the weight then building up , got some kit in my brick barn , pretty raw . Was going great guns until I started feeling really tired during the day at the start of 2023 , dud t gave enough vavavoom to do my routines , I’d get my farm work done and write my training plan (5/3/1 Jim Wendler) and then fall asleep . Thought my testosterone had panned .GP did blood tests , all good for B12, thyroid , Blood sugars , testosterone etc, 6 weeks later I had the Nstemi agrd 61

Bottom half photos of post heart attack , some weights , running , cycling . Can’t wait fir new hip . My physio says I’d be like a puppy after 🤣👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻

Before and after Nstemi heart attack

[George6969 in reply to DWizza]

Hi looking good. I have been on the wating list for new hips

[Chinkoflight]

Oh, I didn't look at the back story. One of the limitations of HealthUnlocked, if you dip in and out which is what I do. Please accept my apologies. I think if I were in your shoes the gym would be calling me and it would be hard to stay away. Strength and conditioning advice from a sympathetic physio is what I would be looking for in those circumstances. I hope all goes well.