High Pulse Rate in Stress Tests

My son (20), excellent health and I (70, M, excellent health) suffer from a similar problem.  While we can each take long endurance walks (>10 K) when we start running for more than about 3 minutes our energy suddenly drops, our pulse goes from about 140 PPM to about 190.  My son faints and sometimes vomits.  Rapid climbing of stairs has the same effect.

On stress tests the same occurs. And they are stopped after the sudden increase in pulse.

EKGs and echo tests are negative.

A fine cardiologist provided me with a simple solution for my daily exercise--just top your pulse at 140.  THis means an end to running.  My son is 21 and in the army.  They do not know what to do with him.  He now has a history of fainting during high physical stress exercises.

One suggestion is adrenaline rush.

[is_something_wrong]

Hello,

Fainting during physical activity is a serious sign. But if your son did have the symptoms during a stress test, the diagnosis should be clear.

What is a bit strange, though: With a normal rhythm, or atrial tachycardia (a rapid rhythm that origin from the upper chambers, but a different location than the sinus node) your son should handle a heart rate of 190 without fainting (I assume that he's otherwise healthy if he's in the army). The same usually goes for atrial fibrillation/flutter.

His doctor should know what arrhythmia he got during the stress test. If it was so-called ventricular tachycardia, there are a few conditions possible. One is relatively benign and not uncommon (so-called RVOT tachycardia), another is dangerous and often inherited, (polymorphic ventricular tachycardia), but in that case, the doctor should be alarmed and forbid heavy exercise, use massive amounts of beta blockers and possibly a defibrillator.

His/your doctor should know what condition is present. It's likely to be an arrhythmia, but if it's benign or not depends on the stress test results.  

I'm sorry, but as just a community member I can't provide a better answer. My best suggestion is asking the doctor what arrhythmia is present.