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Heart Rhythm (Expert Forum)
irregular heartbeats - safe to exercise?
Answered by
Michael J. McWilliams, M.D. - atrial fibrillation, Pacemakers, Defibrillators, Arrhythmias (SVT, VT), PVC/PAC, Ablation
Wilmington Health Associates
Wilmington - NC
Questions in the Heart Rhythm forum are answered by Dr. Michael J. McWilliams. Topics covered include heart rhythm issues, arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat, implanted defibrillators, pacemakers, and tachycardia.
irregular heartbeats - safe to exercise?
by reading1976, Jul 09, 2008 02:57PM
Doctor
I have been having some heartbeat irregularity, using on starting low intensity activity, for about the last 6 months. The episodes are shortlived (less than a minute but involves my heart missing beats and then "recovering" by beating quickly an irregularly which is the more unnerving situation). There are no symptoms but I check my pulse when rushing for the train etc as I know this has been when the situation has arisen in the past. Probably makes it worse by triggering an adrenaline release.
Have had full blood check and ECG - all OK and I am planning to wait a few weeks to see what happens before I ask for the Holter (doc happy to give me one of these).
Five questions if I may:
1. Please explain what makes this irregularity occur - i it likely to have always happened but I havent noticed.
2. How long would you wait for the HOlter
3. Is high intensity exercise OK?
4. What other tests would be sensible - or should I just forget about them?
5. Are they likely to "disappear" in time as quickly as they arrived?
Many thanks.
I have been having some heartbeat irregularity, using on starting low intensity activity, for about the last 6 months. The episodes are shortlived (less than a minute but involves my heart missing beats and then "recovering" by beating quickly an irregularly which is the more unnerving situation). There are no symptoms but I check my pulse when rushing for the train etc as I know this has been when the situation has arisen in the past. Probably makes it worse by triggering an adrenaline release.
Have had full blood check and ECG - all OK and I am planning to wait a few weeks to see what happens before I ask for the Holter (doc happy to give me one of these).
Five questions if I may:
1. Please explain what makes this irregularity occur - i it likely to have always happened but I havent noticed.
2. How long would you wait for the HOlter
3. Is high intensity exercise OK?
4. What other tests would be sensible - or should I just forget about them?
5. Are they likely to "disappear" in time as quickly as they arrived?
Many thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Michael J. McWilliams, M.D., Jul 09, 2008 08:17PM
, Jul 09, 2008 08:17PM
1. No way to know if it is an old or new issue, unlikely old if you feel them now. They are probably more frequent. They are irregular because an area in your atria or ventricle has a premature beat. There is rarely a clear physiologic reason for why this happens.
2. I would just order the holter to answer the question of what is causing the beats. Once they show it is benign, hopefully you can move on.
3. That is up to you and your doctor. Without knowing what the problem is, I am not sure what to say to that. I tell my patients with benign skipped beats that exertion is ok.
4. I will usually check a holter, EKG, and echocardiogram, in younger people. If people are older, i will do a stress test too. I decide when I see them regarding what their risks of coronary disease is.
5. they often come and go without rhyme or reason. It is usually a recurrent problem.
Thanks for posting.
2. I would just order the holter to answer the question of what is causing the beats. Once they show it is benign, hopefully you can move on.
3. That is up to you and your doctor. Without knowing what the problem is, I am not sure what to say to that. I tell my patients with benign skipped beats that exertion is ok.
4. I will usually check a holter, EKG, and echocardiogram, in younger people. If people are older, i will do a stress test too. I decide when I see them regarding what their risks of coronary disease is.
5. they often come and go without rhyme or reason. It is usually a recurrent problem.
Thanks for posting.
