OK to start exercising during a tachycardia episode?

Greetings.

I have tachycardia episodes every now and then. I'd been planning to go swimming today, but am now in the middle of an episode - right now it's about 104/minute (they tend to range between 96 and 125). Is it OK to begin exercising while in the middle of a tachycardia episode, whether swimming, cycling or exercising with weights?

Thanks so much,
Paula

[LindaTX]

Hi Paula...and welcome to Medhelp.  I also am dealing with tachycardia, 150-160 bpm 2-3 times every week or two.  The episodes usually last 20 min to several hours.  Ugh!  I had a Dr. tell me once that the heart has a memory and the more one has these events, the more one will have.  Mine come stress or no stress, exercise or no exercise, caffeine and sugar may be triggers.  Right now, I take a 25mg ToprolXL when I go into tachycardia and 20 min later I'm usually out of it and ok.  Like is_ something_ wrong says, you need to go to a Dr to be properly diagnosed as to what kind of tachycardia you have and what would be the best way to treat it.  If you've been dealing with this for 10 yrs you need to get to the bottom of this ASAP. A good start would be an ECG.  Good Luck!

[is_something_wrong]

You should ask your question to a physician who knows your history and the cause of your palpitations / tachycardia.

There are different tachycardias, and I would assume you have sinus tachycardia (but is this verified by your physician?) If you have any other tachycardia than sinus tachycardia, exercise is NOT ok during it.

Second, a cause must be found. If you get tachycardia because you are anxious, it's of course OK to exercise. If you get this tachycardia after meals, etc, I guess exercise won't hurt you but from what I experience when I had this problem (which resolved by eating healthier, by the way) your exercise capacity gets limited so the exercise is more annoying than beneficial.

If there are any other cause for your tachycardia (diseases causing a rapid heart rate) I would definitely ask a physician first..

[littlegreenman1]

I did... but salt to taste.

[DeltaDawn23]

How did you change your diet to prevent the tachycardia after meals?  I have reflux which causes some problems.  I take Prevacid and eat smaller meals -- have any other suggestions?  Thanks for your help.

[paulajune]

Thanks for the reply. Actually, no current doctor who knows my history - new in S. CA and no health insurance, so that's why I was hoping for an answer on the forum.

I've never heard of sinus tachycardia and when I was diagnosed about ten years ago, the doctors didn't even discuss a possible cause. My episodes don't have any pattern. Not necessarily after meals and not when I'm under stress. I eat very healthfully, am 5' 8" and weigh 125 - have always been thin. I've been getting the high heart rate more than I used to within the last year, so I've started to track it. Anyway, I guess I'll avoid exercise during, just to be safe. Sure appreciate the feedback.

[LindaTX]

Hi Paula...and welcome to Medhelp.  I also am dealing with tachycardia, 150-160 bpm 2-3 times every week or two.  The episodes usually last 20 min to several hours.  Ugh!  I had a Dr. tell me once that the heart has a memory and the more one has these events, the more one will have.  Mine come stress or no stress, exercise or no exercise, caffeine and sugar may be triggers.  Right now, I take a 25mg ToprolXL when I go into tachycardia and 20 min later I'm usually out of it and ok.  Like is_ something_ wrong says, you need to go to a Dr to be properly diagnosed as to what kind of tachycardia you have and what would be the best way to treat it.  If you've been dealing with this for 10 yrs you need to get to the bottom of this ASAP. A good start would be an ECG.  Good Luck!

[paulajune]

Wow, Linda, I really appreciate your feedback. As with yours, mine can last several hours. Although not debilitating, pretty irritating, huh?

OK, one more thing to go to the doctor for, but I guess you're right. :-)
Thanks again!
Paula

[LindaTX]

You're welcome, Paula....glad to be of help!  Keep in touch and good luck at the Dr.'s