Swimming after having pericarditis

[Westie2012]

I really enjoy swimming, I haven’t been since I started having cardiac symptoms , I ended up going to a&e by ambulance (in my swimsuit )🤣 as my heart started racing and it got worse from there, over the next few months my symptoms got progressively worse and 18 months later I needed a pacemaker . A week after that I ended up with pericarditis and an effusion . 7 months on I’m still on colchicine , I’ve recently been started on beta blockers as my heart was going too fast and I was having strong palpitations , chest tightness, dizziness and shortness of breath on slight exertion , it’s only been two weeks but the beta blockers are helping . I have a cardiologist appointment July 13th, I’ll be asking him about starting swimming but to members on here who enjoy swimming did you ever get back in the pool and after how long ?

[Spanaway]

Yes I did after about a year but I'm not a active swimmer. My thing is biking, and sports with the grandsons. I'm going on 4 years of having my ICD, had a congestive heart failure. So consult with your cardiologist before you go anything that brings question to mind. But this group is totally awesome, you'll probably get your answer if you haven't already 😉 God bless

[jeanjeannie50]

I've always been a keen swimmer, but a few years ago discovered it triggered AF attacks. Too afraid to swim now.

Jean

[Hidden]

Hi Westie2012,I'm wondering if you've been advised by a medical professional not to swim for the time being? If not and you love it, I'd say proceed with caution, as in do it in a swimming pool only, stay at the shallow end, make sure the water isn't shockingly cold, and don't be too vigorous. And of course leave the pool if any of your symptoms occur or get worse.

That said it's a relatively short time until your cardiology appointment, so maybe it's worth just waiting until then and ask if it's possible to swim. Most often I find that cardiologists want us to continue with at least gentle exercise if it isn't actually dangerous, so I think he or she will listen and be quite sympathetic about your wanting to take the plunge!

[Westie2012 in reply to Hidden]

Hi , I haven’t been told not to swim but I haven’t asked my gp or cardiologist , I will be asking but if I get out of breath just in slight exertion I’d be surprised if they said I could go swimming . I’m kidding my old lifestyle so much 😔