13 Comments
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Just a Placebo's avatar

Have had a pacemaker since ~2007 at 17yo. Wenckebach 2nd-degree. Burpees definitely invite a notable stress test. Light jogging 1.5miles at an 8min pace or so with boxing and bodyweight calisthenics keep me sharp enough, so far.

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Ryan McCormick, M.D.'s avatar

Excellent post, thank you. I always did hate burpees, though I know people swear by them as a one-exercise-for-all!

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Scott Johnson's avatar

OH + diverticulitis bleed and UTI, Afib in ER, 5 days in hospital, home rehab, Cardiologist prescribed Halter monitor, some Tachycardia, Electro Physiologist imbedded Loop monitor, 78 yr old male

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Kathyvj's avatar

You mentioned that you are treating this patient for arrhythmia - I’m wondering what all this intense exercise is doing to his heart rhythm.

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Somewhere, Somehow's avatar

Thx for the info. I modified burpees as I got older.

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Roxanne Nagosky's avatar

I am a gardener , and Burpee is the name of a favorite gardening supply company… Burpee means plants, spring flowers . . . and happily not dizzying problems .

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Chris Fehr's avatar

Great bit of history. I had assumed the burpee was invented to punish children and reduce their likelyhood of future exercise.

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Susan Bodiker's avatar

This is great. I fit the profile and was beginning to worry that my CV health was declining. Thanks for the reassurance!

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Steven Bornfeld's avatar

I developed postural hypotension after my mitral valve repair a year ago. Burpees are out for me--I have to get up slowly after picking up after the dog or I get lightheaded.

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R H's avatar

You are a blessing to those of us who enjoy your posts. Spot on an always with a touch of humor. I’m a tall 6’4 65 yr old in pretty decent shape. My fix is cycling. I had to stop my HCTZ because of orthoststic hypotension after long 2+ hour (well hydrated rides). Had a hard time convincing my PCP of this phenomenon. On different HTN meds (no diuretics) and no orthostasis. As we age we must listen to our bodies!! Burpees are out for me, actually never were in.

Thanks again for your efforts and insights-they are appreciated.

Yours truly-

Agedcyclingly (I Tried)

RMH

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The Skeptical Cardiologist's avatar

Thank you!

I also notice orthostatic hypotension after playing intense pickleball for 1.5 hours. Definitely volume loss is involved and salt/water repletion before during and after helps.

But BP meds must be tweaked regularly to accomodate these types of drops and optimize quality of life.

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Chris L.'s avatar

I was watching a kung fu movie last night where they were doing Pearsons©. But they were dodging swords not bullets.

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The Skeptical Cardiologist's avatar

LOL

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