Would like to find out if there are any hunters or PH's that have pacemakers and shoot big bores(.400<. I'm assuming you would be shooting on opposite shoulder to pacemaker site. Any complications?

I also would like to hear the opinion of the readership, and particularly that of any doctors. Not that I'm going to quit shooting my rifles, though.

That said, the cardiologist who implanted my pacemaker said that recoil wasn't an issue and I've shot everything from my .458 Lott to a really lightweight (6.7#) .375 Ruger with no problems during the 6 years I've had a pacemaker.

Haven't run into any Big Bore shooters in my practice, but I do ask if they are hunters before I put in a mediport or a pacemaker for side selection. Without looking at any literature my guess is that as long as it is placed opposite side of your shooting side, the risks are theoretical.

I am a shoulder specialist. I see many patients who shoot after shoulder reconstruction and no problems. With pace makers if not shooting shoulder, agree with cable68, should not be a problem. If on shooting side, may need to alter style a touch and make sure butt of rifle is not on your pacer or your wires, you should be able to feel your pacer

as long as it is on the non-shooting side, there should be no issues. when i had my mediport put in the radiologist asked specifically if i hunted and was right or left handed. i saw countless women having mastectomies who had pacers. the concern is the electric cautery used. never saw a problem, even when the breast being removed was on the side of the pacer. basically i think it is a non-issue( unless it's on the same side, then technique may need to be modified).

USed to work with a guy who ended up with a pacemaker in his 20's and he had the docs put it on his left side so he could shot off his right. He was a shooting fool and never had any issues with it.

I have a pacemaker from hell ICD/CRT due to a viral infection of the heart I suffered in 2010. I'm right handed and the only issues I've had from putting several hundred rounds through my 500 Jeffery is on the right shoulder ...

Gents
I am a cardiac electrophysiologist. In brief I am a cardiologist specializing in heart rhythm problems, including pacemakers and defibrillators.
So here is the scoop:
1. Pacemakers and defibrillators are made of titanium alloy. Its hard to hurt them
2. The leads (coated wires) attached to these devices can be damaged by mechanical stress over years. They are made of silicone or polyurethane.
3. I tell my patients to shoot as they please from the OPPOSITE shoulder.
4. They may shoot small caliber rifles or shotguns up to 12 ga from the SAME shoulder provided they have no discomfort afterwards.
5.I advise patients not to shoot heavy caliber weapons from the same shoulder (416 Rigby up)
6. I check the patients devices regularly after a shooting session.
7. Some patients do shoot heavy recoiling calibers from the same shoulder. In these cases, I have carefully analyzed the vectors of recoil forces vs. the location of the heart rhythm device and determined that there is little likelihood of problems

Patients using cell phones are advised to hold it to the ear OPPOSITE from the defibrillator/ pacemaker

In 26 years, my patients have never had a problem.

Shooters with devices need to be evaluated by a knowledgeable electrophysiologist who has an open mind. Sadly, there are few of these

well, that should but this issue to bed!

I did read of an lady in England in her nineties who had a pacemaker put in on the oppposite side to her shooting shoulder as she wanted to carry on with her shotgun shooting of driven birds.
Must be something in it although with a woman of her age the positioning of the pacemaker may be a little more important if she is going to be shooting shotguns at a fast pace which seems to be the norm for driven gamebirds.

Thanks Chuck for the first had info. It was exactly what i was looking for. Most Doc"s are clueless on the differences between medium calibers vs big bores.

Thank you Emron our resident Cardiac EP, you definitely put this topic to rest. One more question, how long after implant can one shoot?

Impressive the range of experts we have here.

Shoulderman: Right down your alley! I'm going in for a Left shoulder joint replacement Thursday (2 days from now). First dr said I could shoot the bigger rifles in two months and big bore handguns in three, and that was going to be on the shooting shoulder, this one will be opposite. Though the R will be done this fall I hope, back surgery after this L one is healed up. I know it's gonna be a painful summer for me. At least my health is getting better. I almost died a yr ago from Chron's. They told my sis they were going to pull the plug the next day, didn't think I was going to pull out of it (21 day coma). Then it dogged me all summer and had to do it again this last Oct. That seems to have been the cure. Being sick for two yrs has been rough.

An uncle had a pacemaker, he got all excited when I was going to start his lawn mower one day. He lived about another 3-5yrs, long gone now though. Had a neighbor that had a H/A and came out with a pacemaker on his shooting shoulder. He was sure upset about that and went back to have it moved. The dr refused. He moved out of state not long after that so I never learned the results. Expect he's gone now too.

Thanks to all of you for your expert advice.
George

quote:

who has an open mind. Sadly, there are few of these

Sounds like the problem with my profession as well

Great info! This sort of gives me hope. My issue isn't heart related but is my shoulders. Both are in rough shape but my right shoulder has multiple issues and I can no longer draw a bow. One surgeon told me he didn't think it could be repaired. Maybe he isn't right?

quote:

One surgeon told me he didn't think it could be repaired. Maybe he isn't right?

Ann,

I've got a first aide kit and a hunting knife. I'll take a whack at your shoulder for half price.

She puts enough valuable info on here that I will even clean the knife and do it for free.
But, I faint at the sight of blood so you'll probably have to finish.

Where were all you Docs when I recently brought up the subject on AR ? I'm not a member of the 700 Nitro club but wanted some info. Yours was contrary to much of published info. But the Med establishment is sometimes very slow !

I have one question ,a situation I hadn't thought of . I prefer to carry my 44mag [ 3 pounds] revolver in a shoulder holster .The edge of the supporting strap goes right across the pacemaker. I think I would put some padding there [PAST ?] if possible ??

I have had a pacemaker for 7 years. I shoot a 404 Jeffery and a 450/400 3 inch. My pacemaker is on my left side and I shoot right handed. I have had no issues!

quote:

Originally posted by mete:
Where were all you Docs when I recently brought up the subject on AR ? I'm not a member of the 700 Nitro club but wanted some info. Yours was contrary to much of published info. But the Med establishment is sometimes very slow !

I have one question ,a situation I hadn't thought of . I prefer to carry my 44mag [ 3 pounds] revolver in a shoulder holster .The edge of the supporting strap goes right across the pacemaker. I think I would put some padding there [PAST ?] if possible ??

If you are thin, or the pacemaker is superficial, (outline visible under the skin) then use soft padding held in place with an adhesive bandage that breathes. Same advice for seat belts and bra straps.

Not implying you wear the latter!

I f you are built like me, forget about padding!

Well I'm back. Doing well with the shoulder so far. Real painful the first 3 days, but ,let up early Sunday am.

He did it thursday by 2pm. I came home 4pm Friday, barely 26hrs later. Cut back on the pills since then and still not hurting much from that. What bothers me the most is the other shoulder and the back problems, those are to be fixed later in the yr as I heal things up.

Sure did bruise my upper arm though, from elbow up is black as can be. Left chest area is swollen double normal and bruised.

He also cut into the palm of my hand to turn three locking fingers loose.

Ann: You just need to go see a real good shoulder doc that's all. Should be lots of 'em around your area. Long way from CO, or I'd recommend my dr.

First thing, you should run a search: shoulder replacement surgery and watch what they do. Since you have experience butchering and such you'll understand it better than many. It's deep stuff though. I'd a lot rather know what's going to be done myself.

Take care, and get those things fixed, they'll only get worse.
George

I'm glad I found this thread! I had a pacemaker put in on Christmas eve unexpectedly and was released from the hospital at 0600, Christmas morning so I could be home when the girls opened their presents.

I've got a cow elk tag and wanted to shoot it with the 470 but might tone it down a bit in the recoil department for that hunt.

Tyler

I have a brother and a friend on pacemakers.

My brother is advised to avoid heavy recoil.

My friend is not.

My brother weighs 130 pounds.

My friend weighs 220 pounds.

Have no idea if this is relevant.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
well, that should but this issue to bed!

Did you forget this is AR?

I shoot off my right shoulder and I insisted the pacemaker I got in 2004 be installed on my left shoulder. I shot 3-inch 12 gauge magnums and .416 and .460 Weatherbys with no problems over the next 11 years with no problems.

That pacemaker was replaced a year ago, but not the old connecting wires to the heart. The surgeon used the same "pocket" but the pacer now is closer to my skin and higher on my chest. Seat belts bother me, but no problems with shooting so far.

Bill Quimby