I am new to the site,about two years ago ihad a heart pacemaker fitted.This as severely restricted my ability to climb steep hills.It was fitted as I was found to have an irregular heartbeat.Just wondered if there is anyone else on here who has a pacemaker.Im 68 years old and have cycled and ran most of my life,but am finding it hard going on the bike now,but do not want to quit as it is beneficial to my health.
riding with heart pacemaker
- Thread starter craggman
- Start date
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ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I don't know anything about heart pacemakers, but living where I do, I know a lot about climbing steep hills!
I'd make sure that you have some very low gears available to you so you can ride at a good cadence even if you are forced to climb slowly by your restricted heart rate.
PS Where are my manners - welcome to CycleChat!
I'd make sure that you have some very low gears available to you so you can ride at a good cadence even if you are forced to climb slowly by your restricted heart rate.
PS Where are my manners - welcome to CycleChat!
Hi Colin. you live not far from me,I live in walsden.My regular circuit used to take me through Hebden Bidge down to Mytholmroyd and back over the cragg.Have not done it for a while.I agree it is hard to find anything flat around here.Ive got a 39/26.Thanks for your reply.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Ah, hence the forum name!
Yes, the only flat (ish) rides you can do round here are up and down the valley roads but even they are not totally flat and they are rather busy.
I have a triple on my Basso - 52/39/30 and a big cassette (14-28) so I can cope with most of the local hills despite not being that fit at the moment. My Cannondale has 53/39 and 13-29 and these days I feel overgeared on that when climbing.
I would struggle climbing steep hills with your gearing (I haven't been riding enough to keep fit, and I'm about 3 stone overweight). Maybe your 39/26 was a very low gear to you in the past but you have plenty of scope for lowering it further now your health isn't quite so good. You'd probably find something like my Basso gearing a big help.
gwhite
Über Member
- Location
- Auchtermuchty Fife
I have much the same problem following a heart attack and found that the drugs I was taking, and in particular the Beta-blocker, was causing this problem.
Are you sure that it is the Pacemaker and not any drugs that you may be taking? I ask, since having the Betablocker reduced by half, I now can manage the hills fairly well whereas before I was scaring my mates by frantically panting for breath. I'm seventy-one by the way
Are you sure that it is the Pacemaker and not any drugs that you may be taking? I ask, since having the Betablocker reduced by half, I now can manage the hills fairly well whereas before I was scaring my mates by frantically panting for breath. I'm seventy-one by the way
I very much doubt that the pacemaker is causing the (any) problem. They can be programmed in many ways e.g. to fire up "on demand" or to pace when the heart rate falls below a predetermined rate. It also depends on the underlying condition that is being addressed such as heart block (which comes is 4 main varieties viz. Type 1, Type 2.2, Type 2.2 and Type 3) but the pacemaker assists in these circumstances by pacing the heart at the desired rate. It can't make things worse; only better. (All assuming it's working correctly but that should be picked up at the annual check).
Don't take this the wrong way....
Have you thought of an electric bike?
My MiL started having problems in her late 70's with hills so we bought her an electrical assist bicycle which she loved. The fact she could still cycle and the motor assist with hells kept her onthe road into her 80's when she stopped due to eyesight and slower responses.
There are some excellent machines out there and you can choose a range of methods and types to suit your riding style and how the electrical assistance works.
Have you thought of an electric bike?
My MiL started having problems in her late 70's with hills so we bought her an electrical assist bicycle which she loved. The fact she could still cycle and the motor assist with hells kept her onthe road into her 80's when she stopped due to eyesight and slower responses.
There are some excellent machines out there and you can choose a range of methods and types to suit your riding style and how the electrical assistance works.
