Lifelong Exercise Problems

I have always struggled with exercise since childhood - am now 41 (female)

After going to a gym over the last 3 years I've monitored my heart rate - which jumps to 175 after a few minutes very slow jogging (walking is 118 bpm - slow - level ground). I've completed 1/2 and full marathons - but always slowly. eg one 1/2M in 2:20 ave HR 195 - overtaken by severely disabled people. My fitness trainer is convinced something is really wrong with me - he's also a cardiac rehab instructor.

I've had negative echocardiogram, 24 hr ECG, muscle biopsies (for mitochondrial defects) blood tests and am told by cardiologist that I'm exceptionally fit !

But my daughter's got exactly the same symptons - although less severe - so I want to get to the root cause. She used to use a towel between her legs at night to relieve soreness caused by acid urine - after exercise - which made me remember I used to do exactly the same as a kid.

My blood lactate test showed an OBLA at 90% max HR, an Aerobic threshold of 1.6mmol  with an  Anaerobic Threshold of 2.6mmol

Any suggestions please as to what other investigative tests I should have done. My Dr is convinced there's nothing wrong with me.

Thanks

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Imo,

Sorry to hear about your frustration--you keep working on it.  That says alot.

This is a tricky area.  It is difficult to tell sometimes when something is wrong with someone versus a normal variant.  There are some people that can just run without effort and those that can't.

The athletes I've worked with having mitochondrial disorders were exceptional athletes that take a turn for the worse when they try to go pro or compete on a division one level.  They seemed to do well at moderate training levels.  There are some mitochondrial disorders that may differ, but this is still a developing field.

ONSET of BLOOD LACTATE ACCUMULATION (OBLA) should start at 85-90% your maximum predicted heart rate (MPHR)--this is normal.  I am used to seeing the aerobic/aneurobic thresholds ml/kg/min, not at mmol, so I am not sure how to interpret them.  

I don't know of any additional steps to take beyond what you have done above.  It does not appear to adversely affect your health--although I can understand your frustration.  I always wanted to run faster than I could as well.

I hope this helps and good luck with your training.

[Imo]

Sorry - in such a rush to try to get it posted I missed out the following!

I had a max HR of 210 in 2003, and a recovery rate (when I was fit) of 55 bpm. I got really overtrained following someone else's advice a year ago and had to stop training completely - but now want to start again.

[Imo]

Really sorry - 'and another thing'!

I've always had low BP - which Drs have said is a 'good thing' (80/55! - rising to 150/80 on exercise) - have always found stair climbing really hard - getting a wave of tiredness through my legs and feel I'm blacking out when I stand up suddenly from the floor - or climb a flight of stairs - but never have fainted.
I thought everyone had these symptons if they were unfit  - they are normal for me for as long as I can remember - its only in the last 3 years I've learnt its not normal for everyone else. I got bulimia  because I thought I must be fat if I'm not fit - but I wasn't overweight at all.

I breathe really fast and shallow on any exercise - eg 66 breaths/minute after a 9 minute flat out run.  This simply can't be right - can it ?

[WPWGuy]

A diabetic relative of mine had plaque build up in blood vessels in legs.  I believe the red flag for this comes measuring  blood pressure at your ankles.  In this case, walking, climbing staris, and doing other fairly light exercise was really really difficult.

For myself, I notice real weakness if I dont keep my legs fit thru weiht training. Running by itself doesn't do it.

[Neener44]

I have been diagnosed with IST (Inappropriate Sinues Tachycardia) and I do the same thing during exercise. At a slow job (approx. 3.5 miles per hour on my treadmill) my heart rate goes up to 230 bpm. I have had problems for years and am a fairly active individual. I enjoy hiking, tennis, jogging, walking, aerobics, etc. I use to jog 5 miles at a time four or five times a week, but have not been able to do that for at least the past 10 years or more. By the way, the 230 bpm is on medication. I take sotalol every 12 hours.

[WPWGuy]

hello neener. 230bpm sounds kinda fast for a heart in sinus rythmn, especially if its been 10 years.  Are you sure about that and when did you see your cardio last to talk to him/her about this?

Just checking you know...

[Neener44]

Yes I'm sure. I've had two EP studies and ablations. I'm on a low dose of sotalol to control my heart rate. I use to take a higher dose, but don't like the side effects. Meds did not work very well prior to my second ablation which was done using the carto mapping system. My heart rate doesn't always go up into the 200's some days are better than others. My EP knows, but says that my heart is normal and this won't hurt it as long as it's not fast all the time like it use to be. He told me to keep exercising. Of course, I slow down when my rate jumps up too high. I also have symptoms when the rate is too high, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, near syncope, etc. My heart rate monitor has been checked for accuracy and is accurate to 240 bpm. I've also had a stress test and angiogram which showed clear arteries and normal heart.

[axg9504]

Would you confirm that you are running for 6-13 miles with a bpm of 175+? And it goes down immediately after you stop to 55? Thanks.