I have a Heart Problem......at 22?

**fluffballs** · 10-27-2006, 11:19 AM

That's right in the prime of my health I have discovered a heart arrythmia. I started throwing PVC's (premature ventricular contractions) and a few Couplets (back to back PVC's) during an maximal tredmill test for class. The professor cut me off at 92% of predicted max HR, I was running about 185bpm. He advised that I see a cardiologist, I did. Dr. ran me through an echo-cardiogram, and a stress echo-cardiogram. I again threw PVC's and two sets of couplets in my higher heart rates. No answers yet, but I definetly have an arrythmia when I stress my heart. Likely to have a CT-scan. Dr. said it is possible that an area of my heart is hypersensitive to the high levels of Catecholamines released during intense exercise. Solution would be a simple beta-blocker to limit my heart's output. I don't love the sound of that, but it's simple. Any mags similiar experiences? Maybe some of the more 'experienced' mags.

For the record I'm 22 years old, in good to excellent shape, no previous health problems, Don't smoke or Drink. My diet could be better, but my cholesterol levels are with in the health range.

**monkeybones** · 10-27-2006, 11:24 AM

Sorry to hear that. Hope they find out what it is and can fix it.

**Daywalker** · 10-27-2006, 12:10 PM

That sucks man, wish you the best.

Couple questions though: Could this be some sort of Anomaly brought on by the stress of the tests? Haven't you been up to max HR before (conceivably without the problems)?

Not a medical mag, maybe someone else will answer.

**fluffballs** · 10-27-2006, 12:24 PM

Anomaly? no I haven't seen the movie yet. You're right in a sense, it i brought on by the test, but the test is designed to reveal abnormalities. I've been to max before, or at least to very high HR's. Played football in high school and rugby in college. I'm guessing this was occuring then as well, I don't feel it, in fact I have more in the tank. I don't think I was particularly stressed because I was having my heart monitored, the initial test was simple for class, I expected everything to be fine. My only concern was outlasting my division one cross country running partner, they never let me get that far.

**kidwoo** · 10-27-2006, 12:35 PM

I've got the same thing. Only happens when a combination of dehydration, lack of sleep and high doses of caffiene are at play. I drove straight into the med building at kirkwood last year on a snow day because I started having gnarly chest pains and was short of breath. Since then I've limited my coffee intake and stay rested. My father has the same thing happen when he drinks coffee now. My situation doesn't sound as serious as yours but just wanted to let you know you're not a freak. It's a manageable condition for the most part once you know what's up. I'm 31 now.

I've rowed, mt biked, backcountry skied, ran for years and am in pretty good shape. It's got nothing to do with it though.........but it does help the situation when you've got a strong pump.

**mrw** · 10-27-2006, 01:12 PM

I have MVP (mitral valve prolapse) i have had occasional arrhythmia.I have been tested and all seems OK. Per the DR., avoid caffeine and take fish oil capsules of a high quality as they help regulate heartbeat and decrease inflammation which can lead to sudden death heart attacks.

Post a follow up after the smoke clears.

**XtrPickels** · 10-27-2006, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by kidwoo

I've got the same thing. Only happens when a combination of dehydration, lack of sleep and high doses of caffiene are at play. I drove straight into the med building at kirkwood last year on a snow day because I started having gnarly chest pains and was short of breath. Since then I've limited my coffee intake and stay rested. My father has the same thing happen when he drinks coffee now. My situation doesn't sound as serious as yours but just wanted to let you know you're not a freak. It's a manageable condition for the most part once you know what's up. I'm 31 now.

I've rowed, mt biked, backcountry skied, ran for years and am in pretty good shape. It's got nothing to do with it though.........but it does help the situation when you've got a strong pump.

same boat.
I could feel the missed beats.
Haven't had a problem since I was 21 (24 now)
I run, ride (road/mountain) ski and do what ever without worrying about it.

Fluff-
It is interesting that yours is brought on by exercise. Could be a bit more serious as mine only happened at rest and usually while laying down because my HR was so low it gave time for the PVC's to occur.

**igBand** · 10-27-2006, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by XtrPickels

same boat.
I could feel the missed beats.
Haven't had a problem since I was 21 (24 now)
I run, ride (road/mountain) ski and do what ever without worrying about it.

Fluff-
It is interesting that yours is brought on by exercise. Could be a bit more serious as mine only happened at rest and usually while laying down because my HR was so low it gave time for the PVC's to occur.

And a third for the "same boat"...
Was having very sketchy and noticeable "skippings" in my heart beat about 5 years ago. Cardiologists found minor "mitral valve prolapse"...still don't fully understand it.
Regardless, docs prescribed more sleep, less booze, quitting the ciggy's, and to avoid "overhydration". Also, sounds wierd, but apparantly I was drinking and pissing (overhydrating) away critical potassium that greatly contributed to the problem. Been on following their prescribed program since then and have been relatively problem free. Occasionally I feel a skip here or there, but it is normally when I am really tired. And like xtrpickels, normally when I am laying down.

**uglymoney** · 10-27-2006, 01:30 PM

Hey Fluff,

I know countless people that have some sort of arrhythmia. Most of these things end up being complete 'non' issues, or at the least totally manageable. I wouldn't sweat this much until you get the final word from the doc...

**GoldMember** · 10-27-2006, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by uglymoney

Hey Fluff,

I know countless people that have some sort of arrhythmia. Most of these things end up being complete 'non' issues, or at the least totally manageable. I wouldn't sweat this much until you get the final word from the doc...

Me too. I had one 5 years ago and was kind of panicked about it. Then I found that just about everyone I knew, it seemed like, had had one at one time or another. I also have a murmur that the cardio told me was fine and described it as an "athletic heart" and to just be aware of it for when someone (another doc) asks me about it. Don't be overly worried about it just quite yet.

**keksie** · 10-27-2006, 01:39 PM

i've got supraventricular tachycardia, wolff-parkinson-white syndrome to be exact. was still a kid when this was diagnosed.. basically i dont get any skippings, but if SVT occurs my heart will start racing and pulse will go really high without coming down, for me these usually last from couple minutes to couple hours. can feel a bit dizzy or lightheaded, have kind of lost consciousness once. mostly i find the whole thing just annoyance.. but im planning to start touring and must think about the consequences of possibly getting SVT while on the mountain..

luckily, the cause for wolff-parkinson-white syndrome can be removed with a simple catheter operation (or so i've been told) so if i really need to get rid of this its possible.. but the whole thing might just disappear with age so i'd rather wait a bit. i've also been offered beta-blocker and other medicaments but i think the impact of those on my ability to do sports is greater than the possibility of getting SVT every now and then.

**telepariah** · 10-27-2006, 01:42 PM

I have it too. Mine is tachychardia with occasional missed beats. My ecg looks like I've had a heart attack but it is due to a traumatic injury to my heart muscle (ragdolled 1000 feet, went over a cliff, and broke all the bones in the left side of my body, lacerating my heart). I noticed it during a particularly stressful work period and went to a cardiologist. He gave me two nuclear stress tests at age 47 in which I ran the inclined treadmill for 30 minutes at 209 with bp no higher than 130/90. Finally he just shook his head and said I was abnormal but my condition is not dangerous. So I avoided the beta blockers. Mine is brought on by a number of factors. A full stomach puts pressure on my vegas nerve and that affects my heart rate. Zinc supplements cause it to go through the roof, so I don't take them. Alcohol does it as well. Caffeine seems to be ok.

**fluffballs** · 10-27-2006, 02:11 PM

Thanks for the words of encouragment gentlemen. I'm not too concerned, considering that nothing has changed in my daily life, ever. And since I don't notice when it happens, just the big biphasic curve on the screen, I can only assume it's been going on for a while now. If that's the case, I've pushed hard, and it's been ok. I'm not excited about beta-blockers, but it might be needed in my case. Not sure how familiar you guys are, but after a couplet is a triplet (3 consecutive pvc's) this marks the begining of Ventricular Tachycardia which can easily result in Ventricular Fibrilation, ie cardiac arrest. I don't think I'm at real risk of that, but losing that last 10% of max HR might be worth saving my life.

**osek206** · 10-27-2006, 02:11 PM

I usually just browse the boards but I had to reply to this since I also have a heart arrythmia which I discovered just 2 years ago at 22. I was throwing trick on my tramp and my heart was beating fast ass hell. I could feel the skips and I just passed out. I though nothing off it until it happened on the slopes when I finished sessioning a rail, skied to the lift line and a few seconds later I could feel my heart slow down and I passed out of front off alot of people.

Pretty scary.. If I were on a chair lift I would have fell off completely. There is ablation procedure where the doctors attempt to cut the loop in your heart which causes the constant beating. I had that but the loop was to close to my heart, and a mistake could have caused me to wear a pacemaker forever. But there is hope, I currently take a drug called Toprol XL (Basically thinking of your heart like a drum with adrenaline inside the drum, when your working out like crazy that drum wants to open. Troprol makes sure just alittle of that adrenaline escapes but still allows you to work at your same pace)

I've had bacially everything done but what BEFORE YOU HAVE THE PROCEDURE have your cardiologist do a tredmill test to see how my bbm your heart reaches, befores you feel the arrythmia approach. During this test my heart began to beat extremely fast and the doctors were able to note that. From there try Troprol XL and do another tredmill test on the drug, I take 2 pills a day and that is enough for me to feel no symptoms of the arrythmia at all, even when I put stress on my heart like hiking rails in the summer. I haven't had anyone symptons in a year and a half.

I'm thankful my parents have good health insurance because that procedure that wasent even successful was 74k give or take. I suggest the tredmill tests first before the procedure. Have any questions just inbox me here, or newschoolers: osek206.

**bigtrubs** · 10-27-2006, 02:16 PM

Do you guys ever have trouble sleeping on your lefthand side? Apparently it's better for bloodflow, but my dad has the same problem as me in that our heart bounces around too much when lying on the left hand side and it is impossible to fall asleep when in that position. I dunno if there's something wrong with my heart or I'm just too sensitive a sleeper.

Otherwise my only heart issue is that if I have too much sugar or caffeine my heart will have little panic attacks.... so I avoid the stuff.

**osek206** · 10-27-2006, 02:19 PM

I usually just browse the boards but I had to reply to this since I also have a heart arrythmia which I discovered just 2 years ago at 22. I was throwing trick on my tramp and my heart was beating fast ass hell. I could feel the skips and I just passed out. I though nothing off it until it happened on the slopes when I finished sessioning a rail, skied to the lift line and a few seconds later I could feel my heart slow down and I passed out of front off alot of people.

Pretty scary.. If I were on a chair lift I would have fell off completely. There is ablation procedure where the doctors attempt to cut the loop in your heart which causes the constant beating. I had that but the loop was to close to my heart, and a mistake could have caused me to hear a pacemaker forever. But there is hope, I currently take a drug called Toprol XL (Basically thinking of your heart like a drum with adrenaline inside the drum, when your working out like crazy that drum wants to open. Troprol makes sure just alittle of that adrenaline escapes but still allows you to work at your same pace)

I've had bacially everything done but what BEFORE YOU HAVE THE PROCEDURE have your cardiologist to a tredmill test to see how my bbm your heart reaches, befores you feel the arrythmia approach. During this test my heart began to beat extremely fast and the doctors were able to note that. From there try Troprol XL and do another tredmill test on the drug, I take 2 pills a day and that is enough for me to feel no symptoms of the arrythmia at all, even when I put stress on my heart like hiking rails in the summer. I haven't had anyone symptons in a year and a half.

I'm thankful my parents have good health insurance because that procedure that wasent even successful was 74k give or take. I suggest the tredmill tests first because the procedure. Have any questions just inbox me here, or newschoolers: osek206.

**telepariah** · 10-27-2006, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by bigtrubs

Do you guys ever have trouble sleeping on your lefthand side? Apparently it's better for bloodflow, but my dad has the same problem as me in that our heart bounces around too much when lying on the left hand side and it is impossible to fall asleep when in that position. I dunno if there's something wrong with my heart or I'm just too sensitive a sleeper.

Yep, can't sleep on my left at all.

**Conundrum** · 10-27-2006, 03:28 PM

My buddy found out about his arrythmia when he was 19. He was in ok shape but the doc said he would be much better off if got in better shape. I mean this in the absolute least gay way I can but the dude now looks like he should be on the cover of a Men's Health. He runs marathons and competes in tris and he hasn't had a problem yet. I think the key is to stay strong.

**BS720** · 10-27-2006, 03:49 PM

Hey Fluffballs, how much caffiene do you take in on a daily basis? Furthermore, how much caffiene did you have the morning of the stress test?
What kind of Dr did this stress test? MD, PHD?? I'm hoping he had a crash-cart and acls training if he's doing this kind of stuff. Also, if you do a little research into conduction-abnormalities, you'll find that they usually are not too serious - especially in someone in good shape and age. Watch your diet, can't hurt to see your primary care doctor and then a cardiologist, and get regular exercise.

**fluffballs** · 10-27-2006, 05:25 PM

I don't take in too much caffiene, not a coffee drinker, but I must admit I probably have a soda a day. Both mornings of the tests I had had no caffiene. The initial test was conducted by a Phd, no crash cart or acls present. This wasn't a big issue however, since he was conducted the test on college-aged subjects with no risk factors. I was closely monitored, and continually asked how I was feeling. He cut me off after my 3rd couplet, "not worth the risk." The second test was performed by a Cardiologist, in a hospital, he cut me off after two couplets, both tests ended around 92% of max.

Oh and I went out for a surf this afternoon, first time since I showed the abnormality, no problems.

**nutcase** · 10-27-2006, 07:44 PM

I was told by my doctor that PVC's are very common. I have em and I'm still in my 20's. My doc told me not to worry about it.

**fattwins** · 10-27-2006, 07:53 PM

I have a heart problem too it came on after a long operation just go on with life and keep going to the doc for check ups.

**bfr** · 10-27-2006, 08:55 PM

...get comfort and encouragement from this board/forum...get medical advice and care from licensed professionals who have direct access to all of your tests and labs.

Could share my long personal and family experience with heart irregularities, cardio conversions, cardiac ablation, fluttering, arrythmias and drugs...but it is all irrelevant to your situation. Bottom line, get the best medical care you can find, avoid caffeine, eat right, relax and enjoy life every second you can. Ski or ride as much as makes sense for you! Best of luck.

**summit** · 10-27-2006, 09:00 PM

all of you start posting your twelve leads please

**Shepherd Wong** · 10-27-2006, 09:09 PM

I have Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia, first started getting attacks around 10 years old. Probably weekly and sometimes daily. Now it's about once a year.