Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Strings of Palps following Aggressive Exercise Without Cool down
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
|
Strings of Palps following Aggressive Exercise Without Cool down
by Andrew, Dec 10, 2001 12:00AM
Good morning. I'm a 34 year old male and I've had palpitations (PACs - singles and strings) for more than ten years and have made great strides in learning to deal with them - tough as that can be. I've had multiple stress tests, color echos, holter monitors, event monitors and even an MRI scan of my heart. All normal structurally though PACs have been evident. I exercise 4-5 days each week - cardio and weights. Two bits to my question if you don't mind. 1.) After an aggressive workout (HR 150 for 40 minutes) if I don't cool down properly I will have intense strings of palps (no dizziness or breathing problems) for about twenty minutes straight. They begin to diminish after an hour. 2.) Similarily, if I really push a workout, my pulse will recover more than 20 bpm in the first minute after stopping, but my pulse sometimes stays elevated 100+ bpm for a couple of hours afterward. In light of my testing - most recent echo 6 mos. ago - are these significant? I do notice that as I age the strings of multiple palps are more frequent. Any light you could shed on this would be appreciated. Thanks. A.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Dec 10, 2001 12:00AM
Dear archie,
What we have learned in the last few years is that most premature atrial contractions (PACs) come from the pulmonary veins. The foci that cause the PACs are sensitive to adrenaline and increase with exercise and high adrenaline states. A heart rate recovery of 20 beats in the first minute is very good and it is normal for the heartrate to remain slightly elevated for a few hours afterwards. Be sure to drink plently of fluids and replace electrolytes after working out. In regard to the frequent PACs you may be a good candidate for an ablation procedure and you may wish to discuss this option with your doctor.
What we have learned in the last few years is that most premature atrial contractions (PACs) come from the pulmonary veins. The foci that cause the PACs are sensitive to adrenaline and increase with exercise and high adrenaline states. A heart rate recovery of 20 beats in the first minute is very good and it is normal for the heartrate to remain slightly elevated for a few hours afterwards. Be sure to drink plently of fluids and replace electrolytes after working out. In regard to the frequent PACs you may be a good candidate for an ablation procedure and you may wish to discuss this option with your doctor.
For what it's worth, I have also noted a drop off in these attacks lately...I have been careful to add a 5-10 minute walk to the end of these intense workouts and it seems that this procedure avoids the PAC attacks.
Anyway, during my 2nd TTT it was evident that something was going on although I wasn't told what it was. Twice when they asked if I was ok, I could only mouth the words, no voice was there. The tech read my lips and I never clued her in that I was trying to speak.
This happen'd again last night while travel'g with my husband. I was singing and got this funny sensation and then lost my voice, just for a few words. It happen'd twice in just about a minute's time.
Has anyone else ever experienced this? If so, do you know what caused it?
Thanks.
--------------------------
Doctor testing for reflux
People who might have gastric reflux no longer have to leave Lawrence County to determine the cause of chest pain.
Dr. Ramesh Kalari, a gastroenterologist, started about a month ago using a test to determine the cause of chest pain after heart problems are ruled out.
Kalari, who performs the procedure at Dunn Memorial Hospital, has been placing about two patients a week on a monitor that measures stomach acids and movement of the esophagus for a 24-hour period.
Kalari installs a catheter tube in the patient’s nose, which runs down through the throat and into the stomach. Two sensors between the stomach and the esophagus are connected to the monitor. Installing the equipment takes about an hour.
After the procedure is completed, the patient leaves the hospital and returns to normal activity. The patient is required to maintain a journal of when and what he eats, when he sleeps and when symptoms occur.
“The test shows exactly what to do,” Kalari said. “It helps to diagnose patients and optimize treatment.”
The next day, the patient returns to the hospital to remove the equipment. Information from the monitor and the patient’s journal are entered into a computer software program.
If the source of the patient’s chest pains is gastric reflux, the problem is likely a loose valve in the lower esophagus. Surgery can tighten the valve to keep the acid in the stomach and halt heartburn.
“This is not for everyone,” Kalari said. “Only patients who aren’t doing well on medicines should be considered for it.”
Neglecting chest pains caused by gastric reflux might induce narrowing of the esophagus or even cancer, Kalari said.
Several types of foods can cause gastric reflux and include chocolate, caffeine, high fatty foods and peppermint.