Can You Lift Weights After a Pacemaker Is Inserted?

If you have a pacemaker installed to regulate your heart’s rhythm, you may wonder when you can return to your regular workout routines.

Anything that stretches or puts direct pressure on the chest and shoulder area, including strength training, may damage a pacemaker and disrupt the rhythm. It’s important to ask your doctor or cardiologist about how much weight you can lift with a pacemaker and when — and if weight lifting with a pacemaker is safe for you to begin with.

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.

When to Call the Doctor

You may experience health issues if your pacemaker is not functioning correctly. According to Penn Medicine, warning signs may include:

• Beeping or vibration from the device
• Bleeding or drainage from the incision site
• Chest pain or tightness
• Chills
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Fever
• Shortness of breath

Call for medical help immediately if you experience any of those issues.

There are not many documented instances of leads becoming dislodged or broken because of weight lifting, according to research. And other research has found that lifting your arm above your shoulder after your recovery has progressed to a certain stage is unlikely to lead to complications.

Regardless, it is wise to ask your cardiologist if and when you can lift weights of any kind. There are safe alternatives to weight lifting that provide health benefits without risking issues involving your pacemaker or heart.