weightlifting

[sandro]

Hi!
within the past year i've been through a bater of tests for symptomatic PVC's/PAC's (3 echos, 2 stress tests, cardiac MRI, 7 month event monitor, and holter monitors). i take sectral (acebutalol) for the symptoms and have seen 8 electrophysiologist/cardiologists ( all test negative for structural heart problems), i am a 24 year old male. My main question 1) is it safe to wieghtlift while experenceing PVC's and PAC's during the duration of exercise?? i love weightlifting and miss doing it, the fear and discomfort of these premature heartbeats don't help.i've been dealing with anorexia mainly because of my anxiety about my palpitations.
thanks for your help!

[Forum-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Sandro,

That sounds like way too many tests.  It is safe to work out with PVC/PACs if you have a structurally normal heart.  I know people don't like hearing this, but if you needed that many tests and to see that many doctors for reassurance, I would recommend an antianxiety medication.  Anxiety medication (like paxil, zolft, etc) may help your anorexia as well.

Hope this helps.  Thanks for posting.

[Fionajnz]

I think the Dr hit the nail on the head with his suggestion of anti anxiety or anti depressant meds.  You are young and sound like you have a focus on being fit and dare I say healthy :-) You are missing something you enjoy and although you have symptoms, which you are taking meds for, eight different Drs have told you that your heart is structurally normal and your numerous tests have proven that. The fact that you are having anorexia can also impact your palps, if your electrolytes are out of whack and you are dehydrated or low on potassium, then you will get more palps, its a vicious cycle then.


Please do not take this the wrong way, but seriously its time to move forward with your life, you do not have to give up things you love and live your days worrying about your heart.  You have nothing to lose and trust me on this, everything to gain by doing a trial of meds that will help your view of yourself and the world.

I truly wish you well and hope that you are feeling back to your old self really soon and enjoying your 20's.  I too have palpitations resulting from a cardiomyopathy and a serious lung condition has not helped, but I also have managed to recover for the most part. I have been left with a leaky valve, plus some other risk factors.  In spite of this, I am living with the palps, I know they will NOT kill me, not today, not yesterday, not tommorrow.  I do what the Drs suggest, if they are genuinely worried, then I let them do the worrying and focus on doing my part, which is focussing on getting better.  As part of my treatment over the past year, I eventually went on low dose Lexapro (an antidepressant) as I hit a period where things were just overwhelming for me, for several wks, I had absolutely no side effects and have been delighted with how it has helped "even" me out, for want of a better description.

Take a step towards regaining your life and ask your PCP about some supportive options - meds, therapy or both.  Hang in there it will get better.  I look at it this way, the Drs are paid to worry on your behalf, if they are not concerned (and you know 8 Drs have the same opinion) then you can be pretty certain that you do not need to worry either.

Hugs and good luck.

Fiona

[tickertock]

Understand how you feel, try and not get anorexic over this it's not good for you.

I'm still trying to find out exactly what is a "structurally normal heart" though, for example I've been diagnosed with mild LVH, normal Ef  55% , no leaks of the valves and all other things seem to be within the normal limits.I've been assured by my cardio that I can lift weights but dont overdo it cuz it can cause hypertrophy in itself and I can exercise without restrictions.

I understand a good 20% to 30% of persons have trivial regurgitation of one of the valves mitral, pulmonic, or tricuspid valve on echo, I think aortic valve regurgitation is a little more of a concern though it depends on the degree, though not I'm not sure. I guess if you look hard enough you can find something a little out of the normal on most echos. I guess its the whole clinical picture in itself that warrants what can be called structurally normal. I guess  " essentially normal" will do in many cases as I understand that mild mitral valve prolapse still qualifys as " essentially normal".

[anacyde]

As a 14 year now-recovered sufferer of anorexia, I can tell you the WORST thing you can do is starve yourself.  It taxes the heart terribly to do this and can screw up your electrolytes - and THAT can lead to a fatal heart problem.  

I agree with the doctor that no one likes to hear anti-anxiety meds as an option but for me it was the answer.  I took Ativan for a while until I could manage my worries in a healthier manner, then I was weaned off of the medication and do fine without it.  It can sometimes bridge the gap between where you are and where you need to be.  Clearly you are struggling, and I totally understand where you're coming from.  Please get help for the anorexia and anxiety.  You can control them or they will control you.