Physicians can provide patients with pacemakers to meet their individual needs. The physician decides on the type of pacemaker best suited for a patient, based upon why the pacemaker is needed, the patient's other medical conditions, and how often the heart is likely to need assistance from the device. Typically, pacemaker patients can continue to lead active lives. If they did a certain activity before, more likely than not, they'll be able to continue that activity after pacemaker implantation. In fact, they should be able to participate in most activities, but should check with their physicians, who can advise them of their limits and the signs that appear when exceeding these limits.
Common sense is the rule.
Because patients may have more energy after the pacemaker is implanted, they may be able to do more than they have been able to do for some time. If there are special activities that a patient would like to participate in, this needs to be discussed with the physician prior to the procedure, as it may affect the device that is selected and how it is implanted. One example involves hunters who use rifles. The pacemaker should not be put in the upper chest area, where the recoil can permanently damage the pacemaker. After a pacemaker is implanted, the patient will probably be aware of it for a while.