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Heart Palpatations & Running
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However, he did say that I was very fit and healthy in every other way (reassuring)and he thought I could carry on with my marathon training (doing the Edinburgh Marathon on 15 June), but he wants to see me again before I do it (hope he doesn't say 'no' at that point - I'm up to 15 miles for my long runs now)
Also, he gave me three techniques to try to get the heart rate down if I have a long spell, so will give this a go when it happens again. I'd rather try that then go onto medication (beta blockers?) to control it, which may be an option. Let you know how it develops.........NB
Hydration is an interesting possible cause. What were the three techniques the doc told you about?
Tiffer
The three techniques are:
1. Take a deep breath, hold it, and then do a sort of supressed cough...
2. Gently massage the carotid (not sure if I spelt that correctly) pulse in one side of my neck, for no more than 30 seconds though. You have to be careful with this one apparently, and he wouldn't normally recommend you do it.
3. Not quite sure what this does, but shut one eye and press into the eyeball, tho' he says that is the least comfortable option.
I don't pretend to understand what any of these do, in physiological terms, but I will try anything once!
NB
Sinus tachycardia ins the speeding up of your heart rate in a normal rhythm
Like when you run!
Supraventricular tachycardia, or SVT, is an abnormal fast heart rhythm, that can come on at any time, and is treated as you detail above, or by drugs if its very recurrent and annoying
Perhaps the techniques I described can be used for both sinus tachycardia AND SVT?
NB
So once the activity is stopped lie down flat on your back, arms by side and take in a a depp breath (through the nose works for me - not sure if it makes a difference) - pause at top of breath and then slowly exhale - my heart then skips a beat near the end of the exhale - and i am back to normal.
You get used to it - i actually use mine to my advantage in Waterpolo matches - i can sustain high levels of activity because my heart beat soars way over 200 beats and can stay there - i don't recommend it to all as a training tool - but i have this thing always have - may as well use it.
It may help...
Just slow down, or try to relax
it hasnt done for you yet, and do you want a medical "label"
(Im saying this without my medical hat on)
if anyones interested
Ive done 3 years as a cardiology registrar, and have been qualified as a doctor for 13 years.
There are two sorts of palpitations in my book.
1.palpitations which occur in normal people with structurally normal hearts.These can range from the odd "missed beat"(ventricular ectopic, or VE), to episodes of fast fluttering for no reason(fast regular fluttering, SVT, see above, or atrial fibrillation, irregular fluttering). They are more inconvenient than dangerous, though if you get an SVT lasting for hours, you probably wouldnt feel very well.
treatment depends on how inconvenient the palpitations are. Drug treatment CAN cause palpitations, and all drugs have side effects.So it depends how much its bothering you, and how often it happens. Thesestype of palpitations are often worse with stress, and caffeine/alcohol excess. its also worth having a blood test to check for an overactive thyroid.
2.Palpitations in people with abnormal hearts. these are potentially more serious, and can be fatal.Common in the elderly, but can affect young people too, probably got that young guy at silverstone.
If palpitations make you feel really breathless, or faint, or cause chest pain;or you have a family history of sudden unexplained death, then you need to get checked out, not just with a monitor, but with an ultrasound(echo) of your heart.
Most people fall into category one.
OB, you are now 55, and have quite happily been exercising, id be surpised if you had anything sinister
NB, i think you have SVT
Of course, I have to issue a disaclaimer here, other wise ill get sued the next time one of you drop dead on a run!
hope this helps
ruth xx
Impey.
Hmmm
And what sort of palpitation
Does it happen when you exercise?
I think its fairly regular - but have never paid much attention to whether it is or not.
Would appreciate help...
i think you need an exercise test, to try and provoke it
Or do a run with your 24 hour heart monitor on, and note this in a diary
Do you use a HRM?
what is your normal training heart rate, im assuming you dont hit 200 with heavy exertion like me
Dont know how old you are, or anythng about you family history, but i WOULD get checked out on this one
Shouldnt say this, but it takes ages via the NHS
then you should hhave a checkup too
Only ever worn a HRM once years ago - guy i ran with (have barely run since until i started training for London) thought his HRM was broken cause it went up to something silly like 240 - and stayed there for about 40 mins. Don't know regular heart beat rest or at work... - next purchase is HRM.
I am 28 - as far as i am aware only my Dad's parents have had any heart issues (his Dad died of heart attack, Mum has angina). I had hole in heart when born - not operated - think it healed.
Sorry this isn't fair on you - day off and all - my penance is a day at work (or rather the whole Easter weekend!!!!
have been on call all week
so no worries
HRM might be one way of doing it
Id be surprised if it was owt horrid
sorry, cos you have a name referring to balding, i assumed you were a bit older
BN - bald at 21 me.
The responsibility is awful, cos the juniors arent as committed as i was
And today, i got phoned up about a death certificate????????????????????????????
Im also on call at least one week in 3, for less pay
good promotion eh?