Triathlete 20 years, started at age 28, so 48 now. Mostly sprints, but did a 1/2 ironman 8 tears ago. Always had a low rate, 38 to 42 resting. About 6 years ago started getting blurry vision and headaches at work. Holter monitor tests showed rate dropping to low 20's while sitting at my desk and severe arrythmias. Had a dual chamber demand pacemaker implanted 2 weeks later. Never drops below 50 now. Resumed bike training a week later and raced a sprint tri 6 weeks after the pacemaker was implanted. I'm as fast now as I ever was, which many would say (rightly so I'm afraid) you must not ever have been too fast.

Chuck

---

"It doesn't get any easier, you just go faster"

I don’t intend on redirecting this thread but clarification may assist others in answering this. I believe many of us have occasional irregular heartbeats lasting 5-10 seconds and may not understand the difference between this and arrhythmia. Is there a difference between the two? Does a pacemaker respond to exertion or just control the minimum heartrate? In other words, you don’t have to crank up the dial on the pacemaker to kick in the final mile, do you? Forgive my ignorance on this, but have wondered about this for awhile.

Yes, I think most people have some irregular heartbeats from time to time. I've had bouts of PVCs where I'll get one every third or fourth beat for up to an hour. Damn annoying and a bit scary. Never dizzy or feel bad, but it really does feel like a mouse in my chest. Only happens to me during rest though, never as I train. I guess I should just train all the time.

Can't answer the pacemaker questions (yet......)

age 38, rhr 40,diagnosed with pvc's about 6 years ago. only happens when Im really tired or under certain amounts of stress (so almost daily:) ive been racing and training for 20 years.

other than being really annoying it doesnt keep me from doing anything.

I'm actually heading to the doctor today to hear about my results from my echocardiogram and halter monitor and blood tests. I've always had a couple goofy heart beats from time to time usually months apart, always while I was resting. Never bothered me too much until a month or so ago when I had several episodes within a week and the last one really spooked me. Figured it was time to be safe rather than sorry.

I'm 49. I've been having them for many years, but I didn't know what they were until I happened to be in the hospital for another reason and was hooked to an EKG. I had one and the nurse came running in.

Subsequently, I underwent an intense battery of stress tests and heart scans, etc. They said they'd never seen a stress test result like mine where there wasn't so much as the slightest irregular beat during the duration of the test. Ultimately, the cardiologist told me I have the heart of a fit 20-something and that I should definately continue doing what I'm doing. She said to reduce caffein and to increase use of energy drings that replace electrolytes when I train.

As others have said, I rarely have one when I'm actually training. They'll come later when I'm resting.

My resting heart rate hovers around 38 to 40.

Bob C.

Man, you just described me to a T! Same story, although the cardiologist who treated me actually said that most people recommend cutting out caffiene, but for athletes (he is a marathoner himself) he actually said stick with the caffiene because it keeps the HR elevated a bit, which helps me avoid them. What I find works the best is to pop a Thermolyte daily (has sodium, potassium and magnesium I believe) and a multimineral - I've had no problems at all since keeping my electrolytes elevated.

Not arrythmia, but atrial fibrillation, for about the last 4 years. Age 57, resting HR 42, BP 110/70. The cardiologist says it won't kill me, but it's bloody annoying having an episode either during or after a training session. Just leaves me weak as hell and really dizzy standing up (more so than usual).

If anyone has had the same thing, PM me and let me know if it eventually goes away or has been controlled in some way, I'm pretty damn sick of wondering if I'm going to have a good race day or a rough one.

Cheers

Barry

Actually, this is what I should have posted the first time.

My husband was just diagnosis with Atrial Fibrillation. He probably has had it for a few years. It started during cold water, wetsuit swims. He would have a sudden panic attack where he felt like he was having a heart attack. It would pass in a few minutes and the rest of the race would be fine.

IMAZ he felt great going into the race, but had a bad panic attack in the swim and was not able to recover his strength. After 2/3 of the bike he was increasingly weak and light headed, he quit when he started losing control of the bike.

Back home and many tests later, he was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation and sick sinus syndrome. His heart continued to beat erratically. He was weak and able to exercise at only about 25% of his normal speed and power. After 10 days, his heart went back into a normal rhythmn on it's own. His cardiologist said he will experience increasing episodes of this and he should should stop racing or he will need a pacemaker soon.

The cardiologist said this is common in ultra endurance athletes. Especially those with very low heart rates. I am also very interested in others who have experienced this.

Oh, he is 49, RHR 38

Support Crew

---

Support Crew
This information contained herein has been assembled for your assistance and convenience. It is believed to be reliable, however, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All opinions shown are subject to change without notice.

Your husband sounds like me. I had my first experience of a-fib at age 43 after completing IMUSA. I'm not sure if there is a relation or not and my cardiologist can't say either. I underwent a cardioversion which restored my heart to a normal rhythm. That was three years ago and I have been on Flecainide since but I still have frequent episodes of a-fib which last less than 24 hours. I've been referred to a specialist to have an ablation but I am going to hold off for a little while.

Kind of funny that this comes up now. Looks like an epidemic :-;

Age 40, RHR 39.

I have been out for almost 2 weeks now with an unknown condition that I assume has affected my heart. PCP says there are no obsious signs of a defect, although I have slight arhythmia at rest and some symptoms indicating a problem. He was very hesitant to refer me to a specialist since he didn't see the necessity for it (long live HMOs!). Most PCPs do not understand that the endurance athletes heart is not like that of an average healthy person. I had my first PCP accusing me of being a whiner when I came in with chest discomfort and some other symptoms that warranted a check-up of my cardiac health. One PCP even refused to do an ECG and bloodtest. Anyway, I have been on the road to recovery without having a clear answer from my garden-variety cardiologist.

Anybody know a good cardiologist who sees athletes in the SoCal (between S.D. and Long Beach) area who sees new HMO patients ?

---

adrialin

(BOMK, racing drug and supplement free since 1985)

Adialin, my cardiologist is Arthur Calick in Huntington Beach. His number is (714) 842-8889. He's kind of a crusty old bird, but he has been treating me for hypertension for a couple of years. BP was 150ish/95ish before I visited him. Now it's consistently 140/75. Still a little high, but he doesn't seem concerned. He says as long as I have no other indications (smoking, obesity, shortness of breath) that level is not a problem. He knows I'm into endurance sports and I think he factors that into his analysis. By the way, I'm a 50 year old male with some history of heart problems in the family; 25+ years of running, biking, swimming; 5% bodyfat. I think my 3 teenage sons are what keeps my BP where it is and not my athlete's heart or genetics :-) My resting heart rate is about 48. Interestingly, despite many attempts, I can't get my heart rate to go much above 120bpm. Maybe 130bpm after a dead sprint (5K). Not sure what this means, if anything.

I had my first PCP accusing me of being a whiner when I came in with chest discomfort and some other symptoms that warranted a check-up of my cardiac health.

We had a very similar experience last year when I tried to arrange a heart screening for my husband at the end of racing season last fall. No one would see him unless he was having a "problem". Well, now its a problem.

Also goes to show, sometimes it pays to have good private health insurance. We found a cardiologist who is a bicyclist and has experience with endurance athletes. SW Florida is a long way from California.

Support Crew

---

Support Crew
This information contained herein has been assembled for your assistance and convenience. It is believed to be reliable, however, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All opinions shown are subject to change without notice.

Different settings for pacemakers depending on what it's ment to control. Mine only kicks in when my natural rate drops too low, which is most of the time, unless I'm up on my feet and active. I'm able to pretty much forget I even have the thing. A little more timid on technical mountain bike trails, and somewhat concerned when group riding. A crash over the bars, landing on my chest would be extra bad for me. I've scraped the skin off over the pacemaker twice allready.

Chuck

---

"It doesn't get any easier, you just go faster"

Age 39, 3rd season doing triathlons and cardio training. Resting HR when fit-37 , 44 when detrained.

I had my first episode of arythmia two seasons ago during the run leg of a sprint tri. I was chugging along at about 170bpm and my heart started skipping and fluttering. Very scary! I had all the tests and 24hr holder monitor that I was able to mark episode on hill repeats. Cardiologist said it was PVC's and not to get all worked up about it. It went away to come back briefly last year. It also went away after a few days. Now and then I get the ocassional skip or Bump from the PVC's but rarely during exertion. I don't know what causes mine for a fact but I have an idea that it is diet related. Two years ago I stopped having them after I quit eating the bulk granola sold in the bins at my local hippy grocery (co-op). Last year I bought some boxed granola at a supermarket and got them after eating this and when I quit they strangely went away?? What does this mean? I don't know, but I gave up on those granola sources ( I can still eat copious amounts of kashi crunch).I take this seriously as I am in this for the long haul, I have family history of heart disease and I have to use a statin to keep my cholesterol under control. My body turns everything I eat into tiny particle LDL cholesterol, so I can eat basically zero junk food. I think their is some chemical preservative in that granola that causes it and not the granola itself, cause I eat enough oats to choke a mule.

rhr: 50-55

age: 43

when started: 16 years old as I warmed up for a big basketball game in front of a huge crowd!! i about crapped. for what it's worth, i've finally had my concerns over PVC's put to rest by a brilliant cardiologist. he said "live and be well. your heart is excellent." good by me!

similar topic but slightly off post, but you want to hear about an epidemic? Our triclub has had about a dozen tri-babies born in the last 2 years. 11of 12 were c-sections, all very fit tri-moms, all who continued to train at some level through their pregnancies. Tell me that ain't no co-in-ki-dink?

Perhaps the athletic lifestyle lends itself to such things (arrythmias, c-sections, etc...). Could be interesting study subject areas for PhD students...

---

------------------------
"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS

I have only had the chance to glance over the responses, but I think that i have the most serious case.

Age 23, Atrial Fibulation (resting HR @ 190-200 bpm and very irregular) duration 72 hrs.

At the time it was attributed to dehydration, stress and a late ariving hangover from 3 days before.

I will miss a tick every now and then due to stress, but other than that it is fine.

My sister had a boyfriend that was also a triathlete who would get it from drinking something that was too cold after a workout.

Seem to be pretty common.

---

This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time. - Fight Club
Industry Brat.

I'm starting early at 26, and my HR is in the upper 50s, resting. I had a problem (during a 5ish year period of relative inactivity) with passing out for short periods of time just after exerting myself. Vaso-vegal syncope. I was offered beta-blockers but declined and just learned when I needed to slow down.

While more out of shape and especially when stressed, my heart often would race (90s) and feel irregular. Now that I've started getting back in shape, that's gone away...unless I'm having a bad, sleep deprived week or two and I back off on my training. Then it starts feeling a little irregular again. When I go into work tomorrow night I'll wire myself up and see if anything looks wierd.

As a pre-hospital care provider (aka ambulance driver), I understand doctors concern with low heart rates. Like I said, I'm just an ambulance driver, but when someone has an HR of 80 and every third contraction is a PVC, you at least have a safety net -- if someone really craps out on you, it takes a minute to go from 80 to 0. However, 30 to 0 doesn't give you much warning. Liability forces doctors to err on the side of caution, and caution = pacer.

Andy

Support Crew,

I am really saddened to hear about what Joe is going through. I was standing at the athlete meeting at IMFL 2 years ago, and he just walked over and exhanged some small talk. Didn't go on for long, but it's not hard for a couple of Wisconsin boys to get along.

I honestly didn't expect to hear as many horror stories on this thread (I was expecting a lot more minor PVC sufferers), and unfortunately I suspect this thread may continue on a bit longer.

Give my best to Joe. Doubt he would remember me, but I remember him.

A question for all of you with A-fib (and support crew). Did you have any troubles with preventricular contractions before developing A-fig, or did it just pop out of the blue? I'm just wondering if it's something I should be on the lookout for given my PVC issues.

This is such a good and interesting poll.

I'm 31 and while I don't have an arrythmia per se, i've been having PAC's for a while mainly when i was feeling anxious. EKG's showed PAC's. Echo and stress test were normal but I was pretty freaked out because I am a doctor, and listed with my own stethescope and my heart would skip beats constantly while i was getting these. I eventually gave up most of my caffeine intake and most of the skipping has gone away. I never had this while exercising in general and only while at rest. Even my polar HRM would confirm these skips. It's probably nothing but ever since Greg Welch's dealings with Ventricular Tachycaria, I've always been weary of skipped beats.

---

*****************************************

berndog
How did we all get sucked into this crazy sport anyway?!!

Age: 34
RHR: 32
Arhythmia: vagally mediated a-fibs, premature atrial contractions

1. a-fib in april 02 after a long brick in the heat, mildly dehydrated, sat down, drank a large coke, very cold, very quick...bang! a-fib, but low HR (vagally mediated)
Reverted alone after 8hrs, nothing wrong (holter, echo, stress test, thyroid, electrolytes, everything normal)

Started feeling ectopic beats after that (was told that it's common after an a-fib to be aware of ectopic beats)

2. second a-fib (same trigger + under a lot of stress, family death etc.) in july 2003...same thing all normal, but stressed me even more and I really freaked out...still vagally mediated. still ectopic beats every now and then, diagnosed as PACs.

All is clear, feel them sometimes, and was told that a lot of endurance athletes get and feel them...always happens at rest, or after a really big meal...

no a-fib for 2 years now...which is a good sign...usually if they get closer and closer, it's not good...but my triggers are understood.

In Joe's case he had some short episodes of arrythmias over the past few years, but didn't know what it was. All were triggered by IM wet suit swim starts. Only recently did he have the severe 10 day episode and a medical diagnosis. An ECG confirmed he also has an enlarged atria, which is a sign, we are told, that the condition is progressive.

To answer your question - maybe look out for increased duration or intensity of the episodes? From what I have read, many arrythmias aren't serious and don't need treatment.

Support Crew

---

Support Crew
This information contained herein has been assembled for your assistance and convenience. It is believed to be reliable, however, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All opinions shown are subject to change without notice.