exercising question

[Surruh]

So before I started having my strange symptoms I worked out at least 5 times a week with lots of cardio (running a few miles in the treadmil, spin classes, etc).

I went to the gym 3 times last week and did a good amount of cardio. My first observation is that I got tired faster and my legs hurt more as the workouts went on. My heartbeat also seemed to have trouble increasing. Usually I push myself to where my heart beat reaches 160 on the eliptical. Since my symptoms, my heart rate does'n't seem to rise above this even though I am more tired and out of breath.

After two days of going to the gym with rest days in between is when I started getting more heart palpataions and pounding at night. I didn't do any cardio this weekend and my heart has calmed down considerably...very little random pounding and no heart flutters. Also my air hunger hasn't been as bad.

So my question is can going to the gym and especially doing cardio hurt my heart?  Does this seem like a connection to what I am going through or totally unrelated? And is cardio dangerous for someone who might have lyme or who has lyme?

-Sarah

[Stephen898]

Like yourself before my symptoms abruptly showed up I exercised 4-5 times a week. Lifted weights and ran. I had been doing this since my twenties. My heart issues showed up when my symptoms began in December 2008 and started to disappear about the 3rd or 4th month of ABX's. Went to the ER twice with a fast irregular HR and developed a mild heart block which my cardiologist described as conductivity issue's.The other symptom I had was an awareness of every heart beat when I was sitting still. All of these issues are gone now. I have always had very intermittent PVC's which are benign and last only seconds. I understand that most people have them from time to time and some aren't aware of them. As Wonko said I would get a Echo done to check out the structure of your heart and a treadmill stress test to check the electrical response to exercise. I don't think you have anything to worry about but get the tests done. It's also good information to have. You can establish a baseline to compare to as you get older.

[wonko]

Sounds like we're in the same boat then, or similar.  Actually, I didn't notice my palpitations at first, my GP did on my first visit.  I was concerned when she mentioned it, but then after the EKG and echo she said not to worry.  I've noticed them more lately on my sick days since starting treatment.  My BP is about the same as yours.  I have NOT had chest pain, though, except from reflux.

[Surruh]

I had an EKG when I had BAD palpatations for a week. It was normal. My doctor listened to my heart and said I may have mitral valve prolapse but its nothing to worry about. I've had an EKG every year since I've been with my general doctor...he does this with all his patients. At the time I had chest pain and palpatations and he said it was stress/anxiety. Since then I just have random pounding and "flutters"..usually when working out or laying in bed. I check my blood pressure once in awhile and its usually around 115/75. So who knows whats going on.

-Sarah

[wonko]

Considering your heart symptoms, I think you're best asking a doctor about this.

I try to exercise every day, or at least 5 days/week.  My resting heart rate is around 60, and I can get my rate up to the 150's while working out if I'm having a really good day.  On other days, I slowly walk.  I try to take it day by day:  Just because I can (can't) do something one day, doesn't mean I can (can't) do it the next.

I get mild palpitations and have a murmur.  I know I didn't have them when I was a teen, and I do now.  I'm not sure if it's Lyme or minor mitral valve prolapse, neither is my doctor.  Whatever it is, I feel a "flutter" sometimes, like a heart hiccup, but have been told not to worry about it (by several doctors).

Have you had a 2-D heart echo or other testing done for your heart?