runner needs help

Ran Saturday for 10 miles. (longest in while). Got within 1/4 mile of finish and started running faster to finish strong. Felt a second where I could not breath, last aout 2-4 seconds. Started walking. Developed acid indigestion. Scared me. I had a coworker die of a heart attack at work. His first complaint was a severe case of acid indigestion.

What causes acid indigestion in a heart attack? I had a stress test and ech and ekg 3 years ago that was normal but this was before i started running. I am 35 6 feet anf 167 lbs.

What should I do?

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

What causes acid indigestion Heart disease attack?

it is a good question, i don't have a good answer.  It could be from vagal nerve activity related to the ischemia, it could also be that the sensation of ischemia is similar to acid reflux.

Any time you have chest pain symptoms that are concerning, you should talk to your doctor.  It takes a two way discussion to determine the likelihood that chest pain is cardiac and sometimes more tests are necessary.  If you are only 35, the probability is low but never zero.

I hope this helps, thanks for posting.

[stryped]

Well, went to my family doctor. He did an ekg which was normal. Listened to my heart sitting and as I stand up. Noted I had a normal chest x-ray in March. (no enlarged heart). Noted I had some “short runs” of svt’s 3 years ago during a 24 hour holter monitor.

He feels that it was acid indigestion going up my throat. He said this can sometimes close off the airways temporarily and is a big problem for asthmatics because it can trigger their asthma. (I am not asthmatic).

He noted my treadmill test 3 years ago and said my running now was a “treadmill and a half” and that I did not need another one.

He noted the ultrasound I had 3 years ago which was normal.

Basically he said to take an acid reducer, enure I drink some electrolytes before running.

Does all this sound appropriate?

By the way, it was not chest pain I was having. It was an acid feeling in my stomach. Is the heartburn associated with a heartattack in the chest?

[thyca]

I have had something similar. It was occuring when I was doing bike intervals and really pushing it - way past Anerobic Threshold levels. My stomach and esphogus would really start to hurt. So much that I had to stop the interval.

I don't know the science but if something in the gastro side of the body is out of balance it seems high intensity sessions must push it over the edge.

I ended up taking Aciphex(proton pump in hibitor) and it helped.

I also use a product called acid zapper for my coffee, gatorade, etc...its amazing how much acid is in things we eat..........