Heart Disease Community

Hi:

......"and noticed since this weekend I have been experiencing palps when I am running for a bit and have my heart rate at 165-170. I do have symptoms and I don't stop when I feel it. It's a quick flip-flop feeling a few different times.

While some individuals can experience palpitations at rest, which disappear during vigorous exercise, and return again at rest, on the flip side, some may notice that they are having palpitations only when doing things such as vigorous exercise (i.e., exercise-induced arrhythmia, EIA).

As applicable to the patient, the most common type of palpitations, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs, occurs even in many heart-healthy individuals), has various causes or triggers, cardiac and non-cardiac in origin.

Often, PVCs are typically harmless (benign), be it isolated (single), couplets (2-in-row), triplets (3-in-a-row) or salvos (short bursts of 3 or more in-a-row), bigeminy (occurring every other beat), trigeminy (occurring every third beat), quadrigeminy (occurring every fourth beat), etc., etc.

HOWEVER, the main problem or concern (even more so, much more emphasized for those with certain major or serious heart conditions) with PVCs is if/when sustained ventricular tachycardia (runs of PVCs over 30 seconds) occurs.

PVCs may/can occur with/in the presence of bradycardia (heart rate under 60 BPM), tachycardia (heart rate over 100 BPM).

Symptoms that may/can occur wih PVCs includes none at all or chest pain/discomfort/pressure/tightness, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness/dizziness, and in uncommon to rare cases, near-syncope or syncope (temporary loss of consciousness, includes fainting and passing out).

"My last pregnancy I has episodes of tachy which was diag as hormone surges. Post-baby I still experience palpitations. They have actually subsided over the last month or two since......

Important to know, pregnancy (first, second, or more) itself can place a tremendous strain on the heart and circulatory system, which may/can cause, or aggravate/worsen/exacerbate various symptoms/problems, even in healthy individuals.

By the time the baby is due, blood volume has increased by up to 50%, meaning the heart must beat faster and pump harder to move all that blood. Post-pregnancy, symptoms/problems may/can continue or entirely new ones may/can develop/arise, sometimes slowly, gradually or suddenly.

"I called and have an appt w cardio 12/12,"

Kudos on that.

"I was seen last Sept for Holter, event, ekg, echo- determined benign palp- extra beats.

"Is it safe to cont to jog while experiencing these palps?"

One would tend to think so in general, however only your doctor(s) can properly advise you on matters concerning safety.

Best of luck down the road of life. Live long and prosper.

Take care,

CardioStar*

WebMD member (since 8/99)




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Be well-informed

MedicineNet - We Bring Doctors' Knowledge to You

Palpitations

http://www.medicinenet.com/Palpitations/article.htm

eHealthMD

Palpitations

http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/palpitations/PAL_whatis.html

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Learn about the heart's delicate/precise electrical conduction system

Your-doctor

Animated Tutorial

http://www.your-doctor.com/healthinfocenter/medical-conditions/cardiovascular/conductiontutorial.html

Heart Rhythm Society

Patient and Public Information Center

http://www.hrspatients.org/patients

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LEARN ABOUT the Heart


WebMD

The Heart: (Human Anatomy) Pictures, Definition, Location in the Body and Heart Problems

http://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-heart

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Quote!

"Be a questioning patient. TALK to your DOCTOR and ASK QUESTIONS. Studies show that patients who ask the most questions, and are most assertive, get the best results. Be vigilant and speak up!"

- Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society

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It's your future......be there.

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WebMD/WebMD forums DOES NOT provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

It's encouraging that your previous work-up was unremarkable - it's not uncommon for people do develop a few premature heart beats during exercise - especially among endurance athletes. It seems like a good idea to see the cardiologist - but you could also have your primary doctor order a Holter beforehand so that you could correlate your symptoms with any abnormal beats to see if there's a relationship there. That way you might have the information you need so as not to interrupt your training to as much of a degree. Best to discuss any limitations to exercise etc. with your primary doctor now so you know what to anticipate. Take care!