exercise with exercise-induced arrhythmia?

[ksking526]

In March 2008 I was diagnosed with CPVT & had an ICD implanted and was put on 50 mg of toprol.  I had had one syncopal episode while exercising and a non-sustained VT during an exercise stress test.  In April 2008, I had one short VT episode that resolved itself with no pacing/shock; I began a higher dose of the toprol (100 mg) and I've gone over a year with nothing.  I resumed light exercise most days of the week in Jan 2009, keeping my heart rate lower than 130 and doing a max of 30 minutes of walking or light elliptical training, and 15 min of light weight-lifting.  I had no episodes until two weeks ago.  I had a short episode of VT while on an elliptical at a leisurely pace that resolved itself again with no ICD discharge, so my doctor has raised my dose to 150 mg.

The arrhythmia and the ICD terrify me:  I am having trouble facing the anxiety about exercising again since that's what causes the arrhythmia.  Would it be safer for me to eliminate aerobic exercise completely, or to limit my heart rate to 110 and the duration, too?  Should I just lift weights or do yoga?  My ep doc is mum:  I don't think he knows what to advise.  Can you help?

[Pino10]

Am I correct in beliveing that you have never needed to be converted from VT to sinus rhythm? You converted on your own each time. I had a VT episode that lasted 20 beats at hr of 138. I guess that's low. My cardiologist insisted that due to my supposedly healthy heart and ejection fraction my experience was benign and was likely to remain so. After some research I realized this was not something he could possible know. No one predict an arrhythmia and no one can predict that a patient will not have serious one. My heart goes out to you. I know how you feel even with the ICD. Whenever, I have palpitation now, and I often do, I really get upset if they go over 110bpm or higher. I spent the day in the er today due to palpitations I woke up with.
Truly wish all goes well for you. Roy  

[shermay]

Hi there,

I agree that Yoga is a great way to exercise.  It is a very subtle form, it concentrates mind, body and breathing.  When I started I was really skeptical about the way it works, but honestly you should see the shape I am in now thanks to my teacher, I have more muscle tone in my abs region than I ever had before and this I found only after a few weeks with working with her. As for my teacher - well she is turning 50 this year, had a child at 44 and has the body shape of a 20 year old.  Give me Yoga any day.
Hope this helps,
Debs

[khearts2]

Yoga is great exercise for people with CPVT.  I practice yoga almost daily.

[stutterheart1]

Hi Ksking526,
How do you know you had VT during these episodes when you are unaware of any rhythm abnormality?
I get these 'lightheaded with vision blacking out and heavy feeling in my body' but only when standing up sometimes from a sitting or laying position. I either have to sit down or my heart will have a huge thud, like it's trying to shift into a higher gear. I just thought it was a hemodynamic problem but could it be VT?

[Jerry_NJ]

I read your post to say you are exercising with the knowledge and agreement/support of your cardiologist...hope so.

It is my belief that more and lighter is the best way to exercise.  This takes more time, but keeps the HR lower.  Light weight, for tone not muscle building, is fine/good.  Don't do any "power lifting", is my thinking.

You didn't give you age, but if you keep you HR less than 70% of 220-age you should be fine aerobic-wise... wear a heart rate monitor to be sure where you HR is.

I read you to say exercise has not caused the ICD to "fire".  That seems to say you are not having any too low of a HR or to long of a pause.  I'm not experienced with ICD, but that's what I get from your post. I think that is a good "sign".  

[ksking526]

Hi,

I've never had an episode while lifting weights.  First time was on an elliptical, second during a stress test on a treadmill, third time pushing my kids in a stroller, and the most recent time while on the elliptical.  

I get light-headed, vision blacks out and I feel this creeping heaviness throughout my body.  I don't feel my heart racing--I don't feel anything in my chest.  I have PVCs all the time & feel those, but during an episode, the other symptoms are very strong.

The most recent episode my hr was low--it started when my hr was 114 and soared to 152.  The others were in the 170s-180s.

[stutterheart]

Hi Ksking526.
Sorry to hear about your condition. Firstly, DO NOT LIFT WEIGHTS, please! That may be even worse. I don't get symptomatic when jogging or playing tennis but give me a box to carry 20 yards and I'll get an onset. You might try yoga or some other stretching exercize.
What did your VT feel like? How fast? Regular?