dicky heart

[mac]

any body had any problems with running with atrial fibrillation as me and a couple of runners suffer with this, is it common among runners ??????

[Bone]

I was diagnosed with prolonged qt syndrome which basically meant my heart was missing beats.
The gap between each missed heartbeat was getting bigger which meant there was a chance I could blackout.
There doctors put me on beta blockers which really slowed me down i had to quit running and pretty much all sports for two years.
I then had a meeting with a heart speciallist who told me that i shouldn't be on beta blockers and this is quite common with athletes/sportsmen and as long as i stayed fit there shouldn't be any problems!
Still no problems nine years later.

[justlovestretching...]

any body had any problems with running with atrial fibrillation as me and a couple of runners suffer with this, is it common among runners ??????

Hi Mac,

Are you warfarinised? I'd presume so if you have known AF. Do you have any other heart conditions? Are you currently running or thinking of taking it up? Sorry its questions rather than answers but need more info before could have any kind of a stab at some advice!

JLS

[mac]

I hve had 3 ops called plumory vein isolation, ablation of the plumary veins,
but with no success, the last one damaging my main vein, now i can run on the flat or downhill ,but cannot run uphill.
with heart double beating, and racing approx = 220/ 240 heart rate.
any suggestions other than goig to see the vet.

[Chugger]

I'm no expert with cardiac stuff, but my medical knowledge suggests that you ask a few select questions of those supervising your care:
How many people do you see with this condition?
How many of them are athletic (in any way)?
How often does the treatment make any difference?
Of those who are "untreated" or "ineffectively treated" (runners or not) how many have problems and what problems do they have??

I know that this all sounds like an interrogation, but you need to see where any "expert" is coming from!!
Be wary when asking as we all have our own agenda: surgeons will give you the surgical answer, they may suggest a medication answer, but will probably NOT be an expert on any other possible managemant strategy!!
Get as many experts in their own field to tell you their clinical experiences and devise a route that you feel is for YOU.
Blooming good luck!!

[justlovestretching...]

I hve had 3 ops called plumory vein isolation, ablation of the plumary veins,
but with no success, the last one damaging my main vein, now i can run on the flat or downhill ,but cannot run uphill.
with heart double beating, and racing approx = 220/ 240 heart rate.
any suggestions other than goig to see the vet.

Hi Mac,

Where did you have your ops? Were you referred for cardiac rehab? I am a physio who works in cardiac rehabilitation (hence the interest in this thread). If I were you I would want some more specialist advice before I continued to take part in strenuous activity. This does not mean that you won't be able to return to it in the end. Have you ever had an exercise treadmill test?

Feel free to PM me if you want. I do think that if you can get referred to a cardiac rehab programme in a specialist centre they will be the best people to offer you expert advice.

JLS

[IanDarkpeak]

JLS

This is all interesting stuff

I suffer from Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome often shortened to WPW

For years it scared the hell out of me. One day I passed out after a bad attack in GlenCoe. A friend decided to take me to the hospital in Glasgow (its a good job I wasn't in a hurry) Fortunately I came round a quite quickly once in the car so he took me home.

It made me seek out a cardiac specialist in Leeds GI who put me through all sorts of test and used me (with my blessing) as a guinea pig for his students

He explained what it is and what he could do and what I can do about it.

I'm no longer worried but i still get attacks occasionally but now I know how to slow my heart down by my self which is really weird.

it only happens when i'm run down and tired but because I looked for help I don't worry about it.

Ian

[justlovestretching...]

Mac, take note from Ian's experience, seeking the right expert advice can bring alot of reassurance, nice one Ian.

JLS

[Yorkshire Lass]

I was diagnosed with SVT about 10 years ago and my heart can race at 200 beats per minute.

I had failed surgery twice, got fed up with the beta-blockers and so came off them. Changed my lifestyle and diet and that helps (too much coffee, red wine and tiredness are not good).

Luckily all the tests showed I had a healthy heart, if somewhat erratic and so I just decided to get on with it. Consultant said I could. The heart is a muscle that needs excercise too! I think exercise has actually helped me and if I get an attack whilst out doing what I love in the hills I just take a breather and wait for it to get back under control again.

Please take specialist advice but if they say its ok then go for it. There is life with a heart condition (although I appreciate that all heart conditions are very different and I don't know anything about your condition).

All the best!

[NotIntaFells]

I know a guy who runs for Lytham St. Annes who told me that he's had Atrial Fibrilation - however, he runs at a high level (well ahead of me anyway!), so it must be possible to run with this, provided that it is controlled with the appropriate drugs and that any advice from a specialist is strictly adhered to!

I was told 10 years ago that I have a Mitral Valve Prolapse and slightly raised blood pressure. At the time it scared me, as I do have a family history of heart-related problems. My father had a heart attack at 51, but had never taken part in any sport, and was old before his time. I saw a specialist who did some tests and he said I was OK to do competitive running.

Seems for me that doing running maintains the health of the heart, as recent checks have shown in my case that I am no worse now than I was then! The only precautions I have to take is one tablet a day (Calcium Channel Blocker) to keep the blood pressure down - this drug has had no notable effect on my performance - I always maintained I would refuse beta blockers because they would definitely impair competitive running as others on here have already stated.

Mac - probably best getting some advice from a specialist on this - good luck!