bouldering and rock climbing with a pacemaker

[Bornticker]

I have recently 2 months ago had open heart surgery and pacemaker implanted.

Has anyone continued with climbing and bouldering after getting a pacemaker?

Thanks

[Happyrosie]

rather than ask people what they have done, I would have thought it better to rely on advice from those who know your medical and family history, age, level of fitness and experience with this type of activity, plus advice from any instructors on whose experience ce you can rely.

[AAJJTt]

Hi, having read your bio, I think Happyrosie has made quite a few salient points. You really ought to discuss this with your medical team who know all your details and history and get their input and advice.

That said, I am a passionate rock climber and mountaineer too and I understand your desire to get out again. I have no experience of a pacemaker (yet!) but following a heart attack (which actually happened on a pumpy 6b) and a subsequent PAF diagnosis, I was determined to get out again.

Luckily I wasn’t too badly ‘damaged’. Exercise tolerance was key, I rigorously followed the cardio rehab program (phase III & IV) to get my fitness back again; which I achieved.

After that, at every juncture, I discussed resuming with my cardiologist and got agreement.

Ok - rock climbing- helmet always, no soloing, no bold lead climbing; mainly due to bleed/injury risk with anticoagulants.

Ok - mountaineering; cleared to climb above 4000 metres again but aware of the risks.

A lot of the agreements above were down to my stability and recovered cardio fitness.

Having no experience of a pacemaker but thinking aloud. Would carrying a rucksack interfere with your device. Would any particular movements impinge on your device. Risk of damage to device in a fall. Does your condition affect your competency any way, like as a belayer.

Just be honest with yourself, right down all the questions and discuss with your doctor. That’s all I did/do.

Best of luck, I hope you can get out again.

[Bornticker in reply to AAJJTt]

Thank you for the response.

I have been to cardio Rehab and apparently doing really well.

Pacemaker I brought a protector for it. Hopefully in time and after speaking to cardiologist I can progress. I know it’s early days.

Climbing wise, I am planning not to lead and use a gri gri for belaying.

😀

[AAJJTt in reply to Bornticker]

I still lead climb (trad & sport). I now just lead comfortably inside my grade boundary and choose climbs with loads of gear, so I can ‘lace’ it 😀

[EMBoy]

I am not very fit after a lifetime of smoking and not doing anything too physical, but when I had my pacemaker fitted, I was told I could do whatever I liked as long as it was consistent with my general level of fitness. I can walk for miles, but am not up to running due to COPD.

I am a member of another forum called "The Pacemaker Club" which is similar to this one, but is just for people with pacemakers etc. There are many people on that forum who do all sorts of physical activities including climbing and even Marathons.

If you discuss it with your cariology team, and you are fit enough, then all I can say is "go for it".

[Bornticker in reply to EMBoy]

Thank you for taking time to respond. Will wait a little while longer to heal properly and speak to cardiologist and then I am going to live life as I am far to young to worry too much. Make the most of it while I can.

😃