Lifting With a Pacemaker
The American Heart Association recommends taking it slowly for the first two to three weeks after you have a pacemaker installed. That includes not:
- Avoiding lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds
- Pushing, pulling, or twisting
- Lifting your arm above your shoulder for at least several weeks
That also means you may have to avoid simple chores such as lifting a laundry bag or doing housework. Talk to your doctor about when it might be appropriate for you to return to those activities.
Pacemakers may have one to three wires, or leads, that connect to the heart, though leadless pacemakers may be an option, the Mayo Clinic says. During weight lifting, it is possible for the leads to be dislodged. Pressure applied directly to the pacemaker’s pulse generator also could affect how the device performs, leading to complications with your heart.
For these reasons, heavy lifting is not recommended with a pacemaker, says Brian Olshansky, MD, emeritus professor of internal medicine at the University of Iowa.
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