Still riding with a Pacemaker?

Knobbyjake
Profile picture for user Knobbyjake
Posts
806
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
West Middlesex, PA, USA
Knobbyjake
Doctor floored me last week, told me I need a pacemaker in my heart! Anyone else out there have one and can you still ride / race with one? Be crushed if I have to quit dirtin'. Thanks.
|
1st to post
Profile picture for user 1st to post
Posts
7
Joined
1/16/2016
Location
La Vergne, TN, USA
1st to post 7/11/2016 11:37am
7/11/2016 11:37am
It all depends on what your Cardiologist/Electrophysiologist tells you after the procedure. Also you should know if you are getting a dual chamber ICD (Pacer/defibrillator) combined. I would tell you no that you couldn't ride anymore, but we are stubborn and do it anyway.
socalmx716
Profile picture for user socalmx716
Posts
342
Joined
12/6/2006
Location
Fontana, CA, USA
socalmx716 7/11/2016 12:30pm
7/11/2016 12:30pm
If you are on blood thinners do not ride, I was diagnosed with A-fib at 25 years old. Took 5 years off because of it, but now I am off of the blood thinners and can ride again. But if you have a pacemaker put in, likely they will want you on Xarelto, or warfarin due to the risk of blood clotting with the leads(wires) inserted and you absolutely should not ride while taking those medications.
kkawboy14
Profile picture for user kkawboy14
Posts
11486
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
USA
kkawboy14 7/11/2016 1:12pm
7/11/2016 1:12pm Edited Date/Time 7/11/2016 1:13pm
I got one 2 years ago after having a Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Mitral valve repair open heart surgery 10 months ago, Ablation surgery 2 months ago.

I started riding 3 months after the heart failure and 3 months after open heart surgery. I ride 2 to 6 times per month now. My doctor said do whatever feels good. I ride with a chest protector now so the device doesn't get roosted and broken.
MXMattii
Profile picture for user MXMattii
Posts
5150
Joined
3/6/2010
Location
BE
MXMattii 7/11/2016 1:14pm
7/11/2016 1:14pm
Race on the track? Probably not. Ride on the Public streets? Probably not. Do some relax offroad adventure kind of things with friends? Why not?

The Shop

See All »
kkawboy14
Profile picture for user kkawboy14
Posts
11486
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
USA
kkawboy14 7/11/2016 1:18pm
7/11/2016 1:18pm
Knobbyjake wrote:
Doctor floored me last week, told me I need a pacemaker in my heart! Anyone else out there have one and can you still ride /...
Doctor floored me last week, told me I need a pacemaker in my heart! Anyone else out there have one and can you still ride / race with one? Be crushed if I have to quit dirtin'. Thanks.
I only ride Mx tracks
RPM68
Profile picture for user RPM68
Posts
1595
Joined
11/18/2006
Location
DFW, TX, USA
RPM68 7/11/2016 2:08pm
7/11/2016 2:08pm
Dont be butt dialing life alert when you case a double now!
Knobbyjake
Profile picture for user Knobbyjake
Posts
806
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
West Middlesex, PA, USA
Knobbyjake 7/11/2016 2:24pm
7/11/2016 2:24pm
I've been on Eliquis (blood thinner) for about 6 months now. No one said anything about stopping riding yet. They told me be careful at my job, millwright. Couldn't handle it without dirt. Sad
Kx125rider 7/11/2016 2:36pm
7/11/2016 2:36pm
Knobbyjake wrote:
I've been on Eliquis (blood thinner) for about 6 months now. No one said anything about stopping riding yet. They told me be careful at my...
I've been on Eliquis (blood thinner) for about 6 months now. No one said anything about stopping riding yet. They told me be careful at my job, millwright. Couldn't handle it without dirt. Sad
If you ever crash hard enough there will be severe bleeding,thats why he said dont ride with blood thinners
kkawboy14
Profile picture for user kkawboy14
Posts
11486
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
USA
kkawboy14 7/11/2016 2:41pm
7/11/2016 2:41pm
Knobbyjake wrote:
I've been on Eliquis (blood thinner) for about 6 months now. No one said anything about stopping riding yet. They told me be careful at my...
I've been on Eliquis (blood thinner) for about 6 months now. No one said anything about stopping riding yet. They told me be careful at my job, millwright. Couldn't handle it without dirt. Sad
Kx125rider wrote:
If you ever crash hard enough there will be severe bleeding,thats why he said dont ride with blood thinners
Your right, with blood thinner a break is life threatening.
I only take an aspirin a day since mine wasn't a heart attack. My heart stopped electricity, so I don't have that as an issue
KevCo
Profile picture for user KevCo
Posts
1
Joined
7/11/2016
Location
Barboursville, WV, USA
KevCo 7/11/2016 2:42pm
7/11/2016 2:42pm
If you are diagnosed with sick sinus (slow heart rate), you should be fine. Medtronic and St Jude both make a pacemaker with a feature called rate response. The pacemaker reacts to body motion to increase the heart rate when needed. Boston Scientific makes one with a feature called minute ventilation. It reacts to increased respiration. All are good, but for battery longevity, I would recommend the Boston Scientific one. Make sure an electrophysiologist does the implant, not a surgeon. You will most likely have more energy and can ride harder. Hope this helps. Consult your doctor though. Good luck. It's not a terrible procedure. Think you will be surprised.
singletotable88 7/11/2016 2:59pm
7/11/2016 2:59pm
For anyone who has ever had a heart attack, needed a heart valve transplant, needed a pacemaker etc. What were the warning signs if any and how long was it noticeable until you thought "something's not right, I need to see a doctor". Serious question I only know someone who had a stroke and it gave him "drunk" vision and short term memory loss. He couldn't remember while it was happening though.
jerry atrick moto 7/11/2016 2:59pm
7/11/2016 2:59pm
If you keep riding that damn motorcycle you are gonna die!!!!. That's what I keep hearing at 56. So I don't even worry about my heart. Fuck it Ride
socalmx716
Profile picture for user socalmx716
Posts
342
Joined
12/6/2006
Location
Fontana, CA, USA
socalmx716 7/11/2016 3:21pm
7/11/2016 3:21pm
Knobbyjake wrote:
I've been on Eliquis (blood thinner) for about 6 months now. No one said anything about stopping riding yet. They told me be careful at my...
I've been on Eliquis (blood thinner) for about 6 months now. No one said anything about stopping riding yet. They told me be careful at my job, millwright. Couldn't handle it without dirt. Sad
Did explain to him you ride motocross and what motocross is? He most definitely would have told you to not ride, if you take a bar to the stomach and rupture an organ or if you wack your head too hard there is a very good chance you will bleed out before you get to the hospital.

Trust me I went through all of the options when i was told not to ride, there is no safe way to ride moto while on blood thinners.
1stSSPZ
Profile picture for user 1stSSPZ
Posts
257
Joined
3/17/2014
Location
Lubbock, TX, USA
1stSSPZ 7/11/2016 3:27pm
7/11/2016 3:27pm
jerry atrick moto wrote:
If you keep riding that damn motorcycle you are gonna die!!!!. That's what I keep hearing at 56. So I don't even worry about my heart...
If you keep riding that damn motorcycle you are gonna die!!!!. That's what I keep hearing at 56. So I don't even worry about my heart. Fuck it Ride
Dig that! About to trip 60 years old. Been on blood thinners for 10 years now (after getting a Deep vein Thrombosis/Pulmonary embolism which almost killed me) as an after effect of a simple knee scope! Something's going to get you eventually, what the hell!?
kkawboy14
Profile picture for user kkawboy14
Posts
11486
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
USA
kkawboy14 7/11/2016 4:20pm
7/11/2016 4:20pm
singletotable88 wrote:
For anyone who has ever had a heart attack, needed a heart valve transplant, needed a pacemaker etc. What were the warning signs if any and...
For anyone who has ever had a heart attack, needed a heart valve transplant, needed a pacemaker etc. What were the warning signs if any and how long was it noticeable until you thought "something's not right, I need to see a doctor". Serious question I only know someone who had a stroke and it gave him "drunk" vision and short term memory loss. He couldn't remember while it was happening though.
I didn't have a heart attack, my heart stopped. Only 2% of the people this happens to live. I snored once or twice which is unusual for me, it woke my wife up and she found me about midnight and realized I wasn't breathing. 911 said start pumping him and we will be there. About 2300 compressions and 7 shocks and they were able to transfer to the hospital. They were 99% sure it was viral, made the heart swell and freaked the electrical out. The swelling is what tore up my mitral valve, they were going to do a pig transplant but when they got in they were able to reattach the strands that pull the valve closed and put a lat band around it to make it close completely
moco
Profile picture for user moco
Posts
138
Joined
10/8/2014
Location
CA
moco 7/11/2016 4:51pm
7/11/2016 4:51pm
Get Tokyo mods to remap the pacemaker and you should be good.
Cygnus
Profile picture for user Cygnus
Posts
14845
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Hanover, CO, USA
Cygnus 7/11/2016 6:01pm
7/11/2016 6:01pm
kkawboy14 wrote:
I didn't have a heart attack, my heart stopped. Only 2% of the people this happens to live. I snored once or twice which is unusual...
I didn't have a heart attack, my heart stopped. Only 2% of the people this happens to live. I snored once or twice which is unusual for me, it woke my wife up and she found me about midnight and realized I wasn't breathing. 911 said start pumping him and we will be there. About 2300 compressions and 7 shocks and they were able to transfer to the hospital. They were 99% sure it was viral, made the heart swell and freaked the electrical out. The swelling is what tore up my mitral valve, they were going to do a pig transplant but when they got in they were able to reattach the strands that pull the valve closed and put a lat band around it to make it close completely
Sound very similar to what killed my ex. No warning signs. Glad you are still with us.

Pit Row

See All »
mb
Profile picture for user mb
Posts
775
Joined
7/22/2014
Location
Columbia, SC, USA
mb 7/11/2016 9:38pm
7/11/2016 9:38pm
I wouldn't stop. Any time you get on the bike could be your last, regardless of prior condition.
Bearuno
Profile picture for user Bearuno
Posts
5565
Joined
6/28/2014
Location
AU
Bearuno 7/12/2016 1:32am
7/12/2016 1:32am
jerry atrick moto wrote:
If you keep riding that damn motorcycle you are gonna die!!!!. That's what I keep hearing at 56. So I don't even worry about my heart...
If you keep riding that damn motorcycle you are gonna die!!!!. That's what I keep hearing at 56. So I don't even worry about my heart. Fuck it Ride
1stSSPZ wrote:
Dig that! About to trip 60 years old. Been on blood thinners for 10 years now (after getting a Deep vein Thrombosis/Pulmonary embolism which almost killed...
Dig that! About to trip 60 years old. Been on blood thinners for 10 years now (after getting a Deep vein Thrombosis/Pulmonary embolism which almost killed me) as an after effect of a simple knee scope! Something's going to get you eventually, what the hell!?
I had the same sort of thing happen to me a few decades ago - I went through about 12 'big' operations over a couple of years, and among those had a few arthroscopes. One of those 'little ops' almost killed me, too. As they say - any operation can be dangerous.

Deep vein thrombosis in leg, then what was later diagnosed as a stroke ( family found me working on my bike outside - they'd gone out, with me sitting besides the bike, then came back a few hours later to find me in the same position, head against the sidepanel). Still, stupidly went to work the next day, but a few days later, started coughing up blood, with a major clot in my lungs. Then a few weeks in hospital, on all sorts of weird chemicals.

I've had a lot of other operations since, and am regularly on Warfarin / other thinners due to my history of clotting. I'm just bloody careful when I'm on them - I take the risks of riding, and my family are fine with it. I've almost carked it so many times, and, they want me happy in life. We all die, don't we? My family are / will be well taken care of, when I go. I've worked hard towards that, and my early retirement (from working for others / paying debts).

So far my heart seems to be holding up well, but hell, I've had a few friends that I thought were much, much 'healthier' than I, just up and keel over. And, I reckon I've had a far more 'fun' life than them, and most other people.
Knobbyjake
Profile picture for user Knobbyjake
Posts
806
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
West Middlesex, PA, USA
Knobbyjake 7/12/2016 11:14am
7/12/2016 11:14am
Well I'm the big 60 now. I have DVT in my right leg, I've had 2 clots hit my lungs, one just a year ago. Don't moto much, mostly hare scrambles and trail riding. I have afib, my heart beats irregular and too fast. Two days last week it was over 170 BPM. Been on 3 different medicines in the last two weeks to try and slow it down. The last one helped some but still going into Afib. I always wear a chest protector and the rest of the gear. We'll see what they say next week. Thanks for all of the comments guys. Ride often and ride safe!
kkawboy14
Profile picture for user kkawboy14
Posts
11486
Joined
6/5/2015
Location
USA
kkawboy14 7/12/2016 2:31pm
7/12/2016 2:31pm
Knobbyjake wrote:
Well I'm the big 60 now. I have DVT in my right leg, I've had 2 clots hit my lungs, one just a year ago. Don't...
Well I'm the big 60 now. I have DVT in my right leg, I've had 2 clots hit my lungs, one just a year ago. Don't moto much, mostly hare scrambles and trail riding. I have afib, my heart beats irregular and too fast. Two days last week it was over 170 BPM. Been on 3 different medicines in the last two weeks to try and slow it down. The last one helped some but still going into Afib. I always wear a chest protector and the rest of the gear. We'll see what they say next week. Thanks for all of the comments guys. Ride often and ride safe!
It's always something! Hang in there!
whitcombphoto 7/13/2016 6:13am
7/13/2016 6:13am
I have a new heart and a pace maker. I ride 3-4 times a week and race. Do what makes you happy!
Missing_Muffs 7/13/2016 9:09am
7/13/2016 9:09am
but is that AMA legal I mean it could be turned up and seen as performance advantage couldn't it?

all joking aside I have no idea but my DR frowns upon anything heart related. I was sent to the ER once dangerously close to a stroke. went in to DR for a unrelated thing and after the nurse took my vitals she ran out of the room. next time the door opened there was a stretcher and paramedics. I was like WTF??????
free amber-lamps ride to the ER, bad thing was my cellphone was dead so I couldn't even call anyone.

Post a reply to: Still riding with a Pacemaker?