← Return to Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT) and Running

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@janadegeest

Hi Sue
Thanks for the recommendation, but I have a follow-up question. I am an avid runner and have about 13 marathons under my belt so far. I am in the process of getting checked out what causes my palpitations, which seem to come and go unrelated to my training. (currently carrying a heart for 14 days and scheduled for an MRI). My issue with my cardiologist is that he, in general, doesn't understand running at this level (I did a treadmill test, which was a breeze), and I would like to find a solution that allows me to continue as long as possible without limiting me in the sport I love. I understand that safety comes first, but trying to educate myself as much as possible so I can ask the right questions at my next consultation. the results of my last holter (14 days in dec) was as follow :
1) Sinus rhythm with the average heart rate of 51 bpm (min 31, max 142 bpm), 52% of bradycardia.
2) Occasional ventricular premature beats - 388 isolated, 2 couplets and 5 runs of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia - longest 12 beats long @ 150 bpm and fastest 6 @ 187 bpm.
3) Rare supraventricular premature beats - 8 isolated and 4 runs of atrial tachycardia - longest 6 beats and fastest
4 @ 124 bpm.
4) There are 77 episodes of long R-R intervals due to sinus pauses, 17 of them are (> 3 seconds) and the longest pause lasted for 3.71 seconds @ 8:29pm.
5) The patient reported symptoms of palpitation, correspond with sinus rhythm/bradycardia, one of them right after a short run of ventricular tachycardia.

regards

Jan

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Replies to "Hi Sue Thanks for the recommendation, but I have a follow-up question. I am an avid..."

My friend who was a distance runner was having bradycardia issues when he was in his 40's, and got the same reaction from his cardiologist. He joined a local "senior" running club to connect with other long-time runners with the idea that one or more of them must have found a sympathetic cardiologist - and it worked!
He found one who was a runner & coach, and they worked out a safe training plan for him. He was also able to find a new cardiologist through networking when he was transferred by his employer. He was monitored every 3 months by both docs.
The good news is that it got him 10 more years of running - and is still active playing golf and travelling in his lates 70's. The bad news is that eventually he had to give it up because there were too many faulty electrical signals in his heart. but because he was monitored carefully, the outcome was a happy one.
Can you find a running group or gym where you might be able to connect with a sports-minded cardiologist?