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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fritz3rd | @fritz3rd | Oct 20, 2021
In reply to @ronbyrd "My episodes are short - around a minute and happen occasionally while running. I should have..." + (show)
@ronbyrd

My episodes are short - around a minute and happen occasionally while running. I should have added "Paroxysmal" to diagnosis (PSVT), meaning from time to time. They stop when I stop running. Only other times I've had (detected) episodes is on brisk walks and that's rare. I never discussed a trigger point with doctor, as when I've seen it happen (on my Apple Watch) I break into a walk and it goes away. Always has. Yes, a stress test was part of the cardiologist's tests and it triggered episodes. My concern is, if I continue to run the problem could get worst, so don't want to have that happen.
Thanks for your thoughts.

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See my longer comment - 20 Oct 2021

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fritz3rd | @fritz3rd | Oct 20, 2021
In reply to @danab "@fritz3rd Hi and Welcome to connect. I see you joined last year but this looks like..." + (show)
@danab

@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

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Thanks for the kind and thoughtful post, Dana. Still trying...getting old is tough!

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fritz3rd | @fritz3rd | Oct 20, 2021

Hi, Ron...see my earlier post from today...20 Oct 2021

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ramona28 | @ramona28 | Dec 20, 2021

Hi everyone. I have recently been having investigations into what I believe may be SVT. I have frequent episodes, usually in the evening, where my heart rate hits about 130bpm and I become very breathless and lightheaded. I often feel wiped out afterwards. I have had the following tests: 24 hour holter monitor, echocardiogram, stress echocardiogram, barium swallow, ct pulmonary scan, chest xray, ct angiogram, 7 day holter monitor and a couple of emergency room ecgs. When I wore the holter monitor for a week, I had a great week (of course) with only one episode. My cardiologist said that my heart beat was a perfect sinus rhythm and that when I had the episode, the chambers were beating in correct sync and he doesn't believe I have SVT. I feel like my symptoms are very much like SVT and my GP suggested that it could be. The symptoms came on very abruptly about three months ago and it coincided with quite a big night out with colleagues, we drank way too much champagne (teachers at the end of term after remote learning). About a week after I started to notice the symptoms. My GP did say that a big drinking session can bring on SVT. Can anyone provide some insight into my symptoms, causes and whether or not this can be cured. I am on calcium channel blockers and they seem to help but I feel awful. I am experiencing slight symptoms on them most days. Thanks in advance.

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bodega | @bodega | Dec 26, 2021

Yes, I have exactly what you describe and it, also, is called SVT, I was, also, a long distance runner (much to my joy of just doing it)...I especially enjoyed running at night under a clear and star blasting sky, I no longer do it much to my sorrow.

Now I have a fully expressed MS but it is being called Secondary Progressive MS...I can't even walk without falling especially if I must do a quarter turn or bigger. No running now but, even with aided walking, I still have SVT. The most rapid it has been is 120 bpm. I have no idea what to do with it, either. It is constant, too. The VA had me wear a heart monitor and that has proven to be worthless.

In fact, before all this started, my then husband and I worked very hard to avoid readily apparent deficits. We were successful for probably 15+ years. Then I fainted exiting an elevator. The consequent MRI showed white matter plaques. I ignored that and began fast walking with the same SVT problem.....

But now at 82 I am tired all the time, often exhausted, and still expected to do the jobs I have done all my life. I try but am not successful. Frustrating.

What about you?

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rlonkani | @rlonkani | Oct 21, 2022

I just know I have SVT and I plan to have a first marathon in November 2022. I have no any symptoms of chest pain or palcipation. I can run with pace 4 or 5 for quite a long time (20 km) with no difficulty since I can still talk and sing along the running journey. If you have any recommendations, I would love to hear

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 21, 2022
In reply to @rlonkani "I just know I have SVT and I plan to have a first marathon in November..." + (show)
@rlonkani

I just know I have SVT and I plan to have a first marathon in November 2022. I have no any symptoms of chest pain or palcipation. I can run with pace 4 or 5 for quite a long time (20 km) with no difficulty since I can still talk and sing along the running journey. If you have any recommendations, I would love to hear

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Welcome to Mayo Connect - I do have a recommendation, if you have a cardiologist this is a question for them. If you do not, you probably should consult one before you undertake your first marathon.
There can be a number of causes for SVT, and exercise is still an excellent idea when you have it. A marathon (especially a first time) is not "exercise" - it is a great stressor of your body. Changes such as pushing yourself, electrolyte changes due to long distance running, possible dehydration, fatigue, etc could bring on an episode - which might bring you down in a crowd.

My recommendation is that you get cleared by a cardiologist before you try a marathon.
Sue

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rlonkani | @rlonkani | Oct 22, 2022

I appreciate your suggestion. I already have an appointment next week with cardiologist and decide not to go to this marathon.
Last month (before discovering SVT), I practiced more than 30 km for three running and have no problem with it. Your warning is valuable and change my view for long running. I won't run more than 10 km if I don't have opinion from cardiologist. Thank you so much

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