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.
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.
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)
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.
Geeze! I stumbled across this thread and it is a bit scary!
About 20 or so years ago I saw a cardiologist for what was diagnosed as having several episodes of “paraxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.” At the time was basically told that everything was really fine, control the stress of school and stay healthy. I really haven’t had any problems since then.
Now, every now and then I get a few rapid heart beats, or occasionally get a bit light headed for a second or 2 when I stand up, etc. I have been assuming that this is all quite normal and haven’t had any what I would think are “problems.” I also have been having complete physicals every 2 years or so w/ EKGs which seem to be fine.
I’m 45, RHR 39, and seemingly in great health…should I be worried or do anything?