1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT) and Running

Posted by ronbyrd @ronbyrd, Jan 11, 2019

I have been running for a decade including 6-7 marathons. Two years ago, while training, I had brief bouts of tachycardia. Cardiologist did tests that showed my heart was "structurally" sound. Then put me on Bisoprolol. That had side effects so I tried Diltiazem to mitigate SVT episodes. Both did appear to help but I stopped due to side effects. End result was Dr said SVT is rarely fatal and unless my quality of life was affected there was nothing more to do. Not wanting to aggravate the condition I have stopped running (but do a lot of walking). Are there any runners out there with similar experiences?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 2 days ago
In reply to @janadegeest "Hi Sue Thanks for the recommendation, but I have a follow-up question. I am an avid..." + (show)
@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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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?

REPLY
janadegeest | @janadegeest | 2 days ago

HI Sue
Thanks for your reply; it's encouraging.
I might have a cardiologist. I am part of a club here in Toronto, and a few are of my age. One of my friends has indeed a heart issue, and I have the contact of his cardio. Also, his partner is an anesthetist who explained in detail the issues listed in my first report, and this helped a lot. Not out of the woods, but it sounded less depressing than when I first came out of my consultation.
Keep you posted

Thanks

Jan

REPLY
fritz3rd | @fritz3rd | 2 days ago
In reply to @janadegeest "Hi Fritz, (I assume) I am 58 and training for marathons, too, so I am very..." + (show)
@janadegeest

Hi Fritz, (I assume)
I am 58 and training for marathons, too, so I am very interested in your post. Over a few years I had sometimes had heart palpitations, but last summer, during a hill training, my HR went up to over 200 and didn't come down till 30 minutes later; however, I have not yet been able to determine what that cause is, it could come up even if I am relaxing on the couch or just walking in the park. This summer's event was the moment I went to see my doctor, who, after a 48h holter test, didn't think it was too concerning (she mentioned Afib and Ventricular tachycardia) but put me through to a cardiologist and there I have been put on a treadmill, had an ultrasound and two weeks holter. This cardiologist was still unsure what my issue was so I am back on a holter for two weeks and scheduled for an MRI. During my last consultation, we discussed medication, but with a low resting heart rate of 42, it seems to be problematic, but also potentially a pacemaker. Have you had any of these suggestions? Have you heard of pacemakers for runners, and if they can still exercise to the same intensity? Cheers, Jan

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Hi Jan, and thanks for the post! My real name is Frederick; I've adopted Fritz in honor of my father.
Since I wrote my story, I did manage to run two more marathons. My goal was to hit 70 by age 70 and then do 1 per year. I got up to 76 but had to stop. The SVT became more and more frequent in both running races and when training. So much so that an activity I loved over the years became painful and tiring. Long runs (20 miles) took 4 hours and I had to walk frequently. I rarely reached the point where the long run did its job. I think I believe the SVT diagnosis, although I often thought of getting a second opinion.
Unlike your situation, I have never had an episode during any activity other than running. I was prescribed Metropolol which would act as a "governor" on my heart and was to take a dose one hour before running. It did work as a governor, all right - so much so that I could not really train; my pulse could not get above 120 or so and I was accustomed to a high of 140-150. I was never told of any other remedy like the ones you mentioned and never heard of a pacemaker for runners.
I am now 78 and have given up any serious running. I do walk/run for up to 8 miles, but limit the length of the run portion to about a mile, but usually .25 or .5 mile.
The only other remedy I've heard of for our condition is ablation; the doctors do not recommend that for me and I'm not interested in taking the risk.
Again, thanks for the reply; I hope you find a solution for your issue.
Fred H

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