Quick Changes In Heart Rate...

[ardx74]

Dear Doctor,

First of, thank you for hosting this forum.

1. I'm an active 29 year-old male 5' 11" 190LBS.  My question is that I generally have a resting heart rate of 46-54 BPM, however the slightest exersion will raise it easily to 80-100 like just standing up quickly.  For example in the first 2 minutes of my jogging, my heart rate will hit 150BPM and stay around 160BPM for about 5KM (25 minutes). I'm not sure if it's always been that way or because of my recent experiences of PVC's/PAC's I've become much more attentive to my heart.  If I do like 10 chin-ups my heart rate will go from 50BPM to 130-140BPM within the few seconds that it takes to achieve the exercise.  My friend for example, approximatly same age and weight will only elevate 20BPM in the same exercise.  Otherwise I feel fine. Is this good, bad or normal?

2. I've noticed that my PVC's/PAC's have decressed from a few a day (3-5) to 1-2 a week in the last 5 years.  The only difference is that I've been taking 100MG of Co-Q10, 500MG vitamin C and a childrens Multi-Vitamin.  From reading the many posts I've noticed that symptoms of "skipped beats" worsen with age and sometimes develop into more significant arrythmia's.  

3. Can these minor arrythmia's ever go way on their own? Do they usually lead to more severe symptoms?

4. I've already been evaluated by 2 different cardiologists and have had all non-evasive tests done (stress, holter, echo, ekg, respiration), would an EP study or CT/PET scan or thalium test be necessary or would these be "over-board"?

Thanks kindly,

   Alex in Toronto

[ardx74]

Thanks for your input Richard, I'm at ease with all this now...

Alex.

[Richard_W]

I think the good doctor has given you some excellent advice.

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Alex,

Thanks for the post, and you are certainly welcome.

(1) Some people have higher parasympathetic nerve activity than others.  When we exercise, the first thing that happens with our nervous system is withdrawal of parasympathetic activity.  You most likely have high parasympathetic activity, thus when you begin to exercise, your heart rate rapidly rises.  Other unlikely explanations exist -- but would be rare in someone of your age and physical conditioning.  Also, the fact that your peak heart rate is appropriate is a good indicator that things are ok.

(2) Be glad! Rejoice!  Let others take heed -- arrthymias frequently change in frequency over time.  And seriously, do you think that the only thing that has changed with your body in the last 5 years is the 3 vitamins?  If you were diagnosed with Hogdkins lymphoma tomorrow (God forbid ...), would you blame it on the vitamins?

(3)Yes, they can come and go without warning or provocation.

(4)The tests that you've already had are "over-board".  I quoted my grandfather on 6/18: "If you go to a barber, you're going to get a haircut." The implication in medicine is that if you keep seeing doctors, you'll eventually get testing, which may eventaully be invasive.

Hope that helps.