Long-Term Outlook Swimming With a Pacemaker: Long-Term Outlook Once you’re fully recovered and get the green light from your cardiologist, you can go back to swimming . But you may need to adjust your swimming routine or perform different strokes than before, Gould says. For example, the butterfly stroke is not recommended if you have a traditional pacemaker because it could dislodge a lead. The motion of this particular stroke may also cause clavicular pinch, in which the pacemaker wires get stuck between the collarbone and a rib. If this happens, it can potentially affect pacemaker function, Gould says.
Whether you’re a lifelong swimmer or just want to get into the pool for a new exercise routine , it’s generally safe to swim if you have a pacemaker. But there are some considerations to keep in mind, especially if your pacemaker was recently installed, according to Nikhil Warrier, MD , cardiac electrophysiologist and medical director of electrophysiology at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “Usually you can start getting active within a few days after an implant, based on what that activity entails,” he says. “However, swimming poses a different challenge, so you often have to wait for a certain amount of time, depending on what type of device you have.” It’s wise to know how and when you can ramp up your physical activity with a pacemaker — and when it’s safe to get back in the pool.
Recovery After Surgery Recovery After Pacemaker Surgery: Activities to Limit or Avoid Your recovery timeline may depend on the type of pacemaker you have, Dr. Warrier says. These can be traditional wired transvenous devices or smaller leadless devices.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762954bd719b-1880-4d80-8a77-7b877b8709fc There are four basic types of pacemakers:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762960b2e196-6510-4e63-8071-4b1fe9c5793c A leadless pacemaker attaches to the inner wall of your heart and doesn’t have a separate battery or wires (leads). A single- or dual-chamber pacemaker uses wires that attach to one or two chambers of your heart. A biventricular pacemaker has two wires connecting to the lower chambers of your heart, and a third wire that attaches to your heart’s upper chamber for cardiac resynchronization therapy . “With leadless, you will likely feel much freer to get back to your normal routine without limitations sooner than with the traditional type,” Warrier says. “With either, it’s important to gradually increase the workload over the first few weeks. A reasonable target for returning to your baseline level of exercise — what you had before the surgery — is about four to six weeks.” During your recovery from pacemaker surgery, limit strenuous upper-body activities, such as lifting objects heavier than 10 pounds or doing sports such as golf , bowling, or swimming , says Randy Gould, DO , a cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology in New York. Your doctor may advise against these activities for up to three months, based on how your recovery is going, he says.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762956e12d60-56dc-4531-bc73-1f84e15fe833 “These activities can increase pressure at the incision and potentially lead to complications,” Dr. Gould says. “Instead, it’s recommended that within the first few months, you focus on walking to promote increased circulation and lifting lighter weights of less than 10 pounds to prevent frozen shoulder syndrome.” Once your doctor says you are fully recovered after your pacemaker surgery, you can usually exercise without restrictions, he adds. However, it’s recommended that you avoid sports that involve the risk of direct blows to the chest, such as hockey or football, even if you had the surgery years ago.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762987deb153-9179-4cd7-a5d9-316a9afefb68
Resuming Swimming When Can I Resume Swimming and Other Activities After Pacemaker Surgery? Because pacemaker surgery involves an incision in the chest, it’s better not to get into a pool at all — even to splash around, without actually swimming — for at least a month, Warrier says. That is because of the potential for infection in the area of the surgery. You’ll even need to wait four or five days after surgery before showering or bathing.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296e997bf1-34ea-4ca7-9f41-6e5db0d477fe You can do other types of physical activity while you’re waiting to resume swimming, Gould says. In addition to walking , consider yoga , tai chi , or Pilates to build strength without putting pressure on your incision. You can also do unstructured physical activities, such as gardening.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296e997bf1-34ea-4ca7-9f41-6e5db0d477fe While you may not be able to swim for a while, regular physical activity that your doctor approves is good for your heart after pacemaker surgery.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bff9d7e7-e51b-4e66-ae0a-cd74ba30f5ac For example, exercise can help increase your energy , improve mood, reduce stress , and support overall cardiovascular function.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629554b46e9-11aa-47bd-b1ef-a53b89a863d8
When to Call the Doctor When to See a Doctor Whether you’re back to swimming or not, it’s crucial to know the signs of pacemaker problems, such as a malfunction, so you can talk with your cardiologist quickly and get back on track. Warrier notes that some symptoms representing cause for alarm include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d7595e62-4867-4a1e-a220-bb13d3510ebb Dizziness Lightheadedness Fainting Palpitations or irregular heartbeats Fever Chills Beeping or vibration from the device Bleeding or drainage from the incision site Shortness of breath Chest pain or tightness “One sign that a pacemaker may need medical attention is if someone’s heart rate goes too low,” Gould says. “The pacemaker is programmed for a minimum heart rate, so if someone’s heart rate is below that threshold, it could be due to a pacemaker malfunction.” You also should seek medical attention if you receive direct contact to the area of the pacemaker and then have swelling, redness, or other signs of infection, he says. It’s also important to speak with your cardiologist to get the go-ahead for swimming and other physical activities to make sure your incision is fully healed and there’s no risk of infection.
Resources We Trust Cleveland Clinic: PacemakerMayo Clinic: Cardiac RehabilitationJohns Hopkins Medicine: Living With a Pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator ICDNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Is Heart-Healthy Living?University of Michigan Health: Exercises for Patients After Open Heart Surgery
The Takeaway You can swim if you have a pacemaker, but you should wait for at least four to six weeks to avoid an infection, and you should get in the pool only after getting your doctor’s approval. Other activities to limit during recovery include lifting weights over 10 pounds and strenuous upper-body pursuits such as golfing and bowling. Consider avoiding the butterfly stroke if you have a pacemaker with leads, as it can cause complications. Ask your doctor or cardiologist which exercise routines are best for your specific situation and recovery.