You have a heart pacemaker? Comments please!

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rmcda

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I am looking for experience and advice from those who have a pacemaker and shoot....particularly if you shoot 30.06 and up.

I have just been told I will likely need a pacemaker soon, and am concerned about my ability to safely shoot my rifles with regular factory loads... 30.06, 7mm rem mag, 9.3x62, 338 win mag.

Because I have to shoot left hand, I am hoping that I will be able to have the device implanted on the right side, however even if that is possible, the leads still stretch across and connect to the heart on the left side.

Please share your experiences with me – I need to decide whether I will have to change my rifles for less powerful cartridges or, as is my preference – to continue with regular factory loads.( I do know about reduced recoil factory loads)

Thanks ...
 
My brother just got one, his doctor said just don't try and shoot left handed. (They put it in the non-dominate side of your chest.)
 
Foxer2373 said:
+1 this is a specialist question not a keyboard doctor question and every patient is unique and has a unique situation. I'm not a doctor I don't play one on TV but I suggest that s who to trust on this one.
Click to expand...

But, did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express lastnight?
All seriousness now, ask your Doctor and get the straight good from him or her.
Then let us know what he/she says and when the surgery is complete keep in touch with your progress.
I certainly dont want to read about you (gone before your time and hope your with us a long time too) and your recovery.
Pacemakers are big medicine and lots of people can lead an active life, just not as active as once before.
Best Regards,
Rob
 
I'll get my hunting partner to send you a message. He has a pacemaker and shoots a 30-06 and a 300 wsm. He is right handed and the pacemaker is on his left side. It hasn't slowed him down, he hunts a lot, almost every day during the rut. He will still pack a deer on his shoulders, "blacktail deer that is". He is a member on this site. Cheers.
 
I had no idea the pacemaker was near the pocket of the shoulder:
pacemaker-surgery-375x321.jpg

If I ever get one, it will be something to think about, thanks for the heads up.
 
I have a pace maker and have had it for 6 year will be getting a new one soon .I have hunted and shot a lot of deer last 6 years . I also tarrget shot long distance often
I shot all cal. 300 , 338 12 gauge you name it .never had a problem with it mine is also a AED difibulator still no problems .I was very concerned at the time they put it in but Doc said you'll have no problem after things heal up. I shoot right hand so its on my left up high but they like the left side but they can install it lower or over from your shoulder the wires or wire goes in closer to your neck not your shoulder .So good news is I don't think you will have any problems shooting once you heal up. So enjoy your shooting like I have I wish you the best . If you have any ? feel free to ask but I have had no problems hunting or shooting running a powersaw getting fire wood or anything oh yes try keep it warm if its cold out hunting .
 
Make sure your choice of pacemaker can't be screwed with by hackers.
This will be an issue in the very near future! Lots of info out there on non-secure electronics.
 
Sorry to hear about your needing a pacemaker soon. But they can be a life saver; my dad is still with us on that account...

That said, I met a gentleman at the range a little while ago who told me that his pacemaker was originally installed on the left side, thereby allowing him to shoot. However, after an infection developed, it had to be switched to the right side, which meant foregoing shooting rifles. From that conversation I gather that pacemakers can be installed on either side of the body, and that one can continue shooting after the implant. You should definitively ask your doctor, especially if you have a preference.
 
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Thank you very much to those who have experience with a pacemaker ( and those who have someone they know who does) and took the time to give me some insight.
Your comments and input about shooting with a pacemaker are what I wanted!
 
I got a pace maker in 2011. Single lead, basic Walmart non defibrillator model. Implanted on the left which is the obvious preferred location from the surgeons perspective. I shoot right. They may be implanted on the right but that is a decision that has to be worked out between the yourself and your cardiologist and I would imagine would entirely depend on your particular circumstances and pace maker requirements.

Thus far I have had absolutely no issues firing any sort of rifle or shotgun loads. I even survived shooting a healthy diet of c-fbmi's 300 Rum stiff reloads without ill effects, a comparable experience to being in a head on collision, and I have been in one of those so I have the comparative feelings.

I run a chainsaw on a regular basis and any other piece of machinery I wish. I just keep it directly away from the upper left quadrant where the pace maker is as magnetic fields affect the pace makers operation. They will not break it but magnetic fields will alter and will temporarily disrupt its proper operation.

The first month after they install it you will have to be very careful, especially not lift your hands above your shoulders until the lead becomes firmly attached to its set position in your heart. After that your good to go.

I can't stress enough that you really need to discuss all your concerns with your cardiologist who in turn will have a little conference with the electronic cardiac surgeon who is the actual fella who will install the pacemaker. Installation time for mine was exactly 15min. start to finish.

Hope this helps.
 
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I'm an RN most defibrillator and pacemaker units are installed on the left side with only particular cases and cardiology agreement and technique of install being the main factors. Having it on the right side usually is for certain conditions and I believe is less preferred because the wires are stretched farther. They are generally not so far over on the chest to be in-line with the butt of your rifle or shotgun.

Ask your cardiologist
Wear a shock absorbing recoil shoulder guard

Good luck with your heart issues hope they come to some resolution soon and things become more stable.
 
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