Re: Quick beats while running

Posted By Doug on June 25, 1999 at 09:24:57
I've had PAC's for about 4 years now and in the last year I have pretty much gotten use to them.  
My question has to do with my exercise program.  I have noticed while running that I will get 10 to 15 regular beats, and then about one to three quick beats.  Once in awhile they are skipped beats.   When I Nordic Tracked in the Winter months (until my track broke, that's why I started running) I would seldom get this symptom.  
I have also noticed that at times after running for 20 to 25 minutes they (the irregular beats) will suddenly stop and my heart will beat normally for the remainder of my run.  I normally run about 30 minutes and walk an extra 15 minutes.  I do this 4 times a week.
Also during my walking portion I have no skipped or irregular beats.
I never feel any chest tightness, etc.  In fact I can feel myself getting stronger during my runs.
I'm 44 and I'm wondering if I'm not getting my heart rate too high while running.  It is around 140 to 150.  (I had been an extensive long distance runner up until 4 years ago running about 40 miles a week 4 days a week.)  When I Nordic Tracked I usually was around 120 to 132 bpm.  It generally wasn't as strenuous to Nordic Track compared to running, since where I live we have a lot of hills to run up and down.  Also when I was Nordic tracking I was on 50 mg of Atenolol a day, and recently cut back to 25 mg of atenolol since I didn't notice any difference during the day and my resting heart rate was about 48.
My question this is:  Are these quick beats basically PAC's?  or should I get a Holter Monitor test to clarify what they are?

[CF-CARDIO-MD-JMF]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD JMF on June 25, 1999 at 14:47:43
Dear Doug,
Thank you for your question.  It does sound like these are PAC's or PVC's and in general should cause you no concerns.  Typically with exercise, the adrenalin associated with exercise will make your heart increase rate and PAC's are likely to occur.  Once your heart is above a certain rate, There is essentially less time for these PAC's to occur within the normal beats and in general they will decrease.  Assuming that your heart is structurally normal ( and I have no suggestion that it shouldn't be), this is normal.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

[Laura__0__0]

Posted By Laura on June 25, 1999 at 15:03:07
Can you tell us more about the adrenalin and skipped beats connection. I have skipped beats every day, and they happen ramdomly, but more so when I exercise.
What is it that makes the heart skip like that? I don't understand what are PVC's or PAC's? Is this something structural, or funtional? How are they diagnosed?  Is it possible to just have this adrenaline response, and that be it? Thanks!










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