Defibrillator and exercise

[pk374]

My father is age 80.  He recently had a defibrillator implanted.  What kind of exercise can he do that will not have an impact on the defibrullator. He is a member at a health club but is hesistant to work on any of the machines ot take any classes.  He likes the sauna and the steam room.  Should be use these facilities? Any suggestions

[Jim0709]

Obviously the best thing to do is ask hi doctor. After my ICD was implanted, my discharge instruction stated that I should not lift my left arm (my ICD is in my left chest wall just above the heart) for two weeks. They should have provided a patient handbook which outlines general guidelines for him. The only time I've been shocked was during another heart attack (I had 3 after the implantation) and caused no pain at all, just surprised the paramedics that were attending me. The biggest thing is to ask the doctor and get their advice.

[banglamom]

A big question here is how RECENTLY.  The ICD needs about 6 weeks with him not lifting the affected arm above his shoulders much until the wires have time to become imbedded in the myocardium.  That part of the healing process is not painful but it is important.  So, for the beginnning... aerobic lower body is fine, but no lifting, no swimming, no racquet sports,..  Once the wires are adhered... it just becomes a question of is there a trigger that brings on his shockable rhythms.  Considering how uncomfortable it can be to get shocked, he would want to avoid those.  Hope it goes quickly and smoothly for him.

[stevie_wonder]

I think it all depends on the reason why he got an ICD in the first place. But checking with his doctor would be best. Steam rooms and saunas aren't very healthy for people and I never have seen the thrill in it. If he does use them, make sure he drinks plenty of fluids before and after. Electrolyte levels can go down after heavy sweating and this could cause his heart to act up and he could receive a shock from the ICD.
Good luck to your father and I admire his will to exercise at his age!

[kevk]

Everyone is a little different, I would check with his doctors to see what exercise is good for him. Saunas and steam rooms should not hurt anything. Electrical magnetic fields is what they tell us to avoid, I would check with the manufacture of his device if you have any concerns.

Wish you the best of luck.

[Barbmag]

If it were me, I would ask my doctor exactly what I should and should not do. At age 80 it might be diff from someone much younger and he needs to ask the expert!!