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Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT) and Running
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (23)Comment receiving replies
I have had a very similar experience over several years...the SVT episodes have gotten more frequent over those years. I am a 74-year old man who has completed 74 marathons. My best time was 3.25 hours 30 years ago. My times were going down just like most articles say...about 5 minutes per mile per year. I first had issues with heart problems about 25 years ago, had many tests, treadmill, heart monitoring. radioactive stuff, MRIs, etc. I was told my heart was great...don't worry. Then perhaps 4 years ago, the events started to happen quite more often and more severe. I really pushed the doctors and finally ended up with a heart monitor taped for two weeks to my chest. I was instructed to push a button on the monitor whenever I felt the condition. By this time, I could tell when the condition was starting. Usually, when it starts, I can stop, walk, or otherwise slow until it passes. Most time it goes away quite quickly, within a few seconds. But...sometimes my BPM can stay elevated for up to 10-15 minutes. Anyhow, following the heart monitor test and pushing the cardiologist, I was diagnosed with SVT. This only happens when running, and oddly, mostly when I either slow, stop for a traffic light or water fountain or begin a downhill.
In any case, it's scary and at the least very annoying. I have continued to run races, but my times are nothing of which to be proud. I've just started to train for the winter marathons here in Southern California; it's a pain in the rear end to work around this condition.
Replies to "I have had a very similar experience over several years...the SVT episodes have gotten more frequent..."
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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@fritz3rd Hi and Welcome to connect. I see you joined last year but this looks like your first post. Thanks for sharing your experiences as we are a community of patients and Caregivers try to help others with our experiences.
I'm actually impressed you still are able to do marathons. I don't have SVT but prior to my Heart Transplant had pretty severe VT. The Transplant came due to my pacemaker and medications not longer able to help with my arrhythmias. So your an inspiration to all of us as to what is possible even with a heart condition.
Have a Blessed Day