Let me start right off by saying that this is not a case of "hey I'm sick and I want the internet to diagnose it" I'm calling my PCP tomorrow and I'm going to see if they think I need a cardio stress test. I thought my symptoms and the results might be interesting to those here and I also thought I might get some good suggestions about what to ask my doctor.
Scenario: A 49 YOM in generally good shape who exercises twice per week regularly for 18+ years. No prior cardiac history other than a resting heart rate that is often 45 and below, occasionally below 40. No cardiac history in family. A notional 12 lead one morning that he took while bored on shift indicated "borderline 1st degree block". Pt denies any resting symptoms of palpitations, dizziness, SOB, chest pain/ache, etc.
During prolonged exercise (say 1 hour into a run) pt checks carotid pulse and feels a regular skipped beat. Every 6th beat is dropped. This is at target heart rate of about 135 and completely resolves within about 30 seconds to a minute of rest. While beats are skipped pt is still asymptomatic (no pain, no SOB, no palpitations).
Once the pt discovered this, it was confirmed to happen at every vigorous workout and skipped beats may be every 6, every 7, every 10, every 10 and as often as every 5.
I'm told by my smarter medic friends that this could be "exercise induced PVCs" which are not uncommon. I've read about it and it seems that it may or may not be a marker for future problems and it may or may not require me to modify my workouts. So that is why I'm going to the doc.
comments and suggestions welcomed. If anyone is interested, I'll try and post a 12 lead.
Scenario: A 49 YOM in generally good shape who exercises twice per week regularly for 18+ years. No prior cardiac history other than a resting heart rate that is often 45 and below, occasionally below 40. No cardiac history in family. A notional 12 lead one morning that he took while bored on shift indicated "borderline 1st degree block". Pt denies any resting symptoms of palpitations, dizziness, SOB, chest pain/ache, etc.
During prolonged exercise (say 1 hour into a run) pt checks carotid pulse and feels a regular skipped beat. Every 6th beat is dropped. This is at target heart rate of about 135 and completely resolves within about 30 seconds to a minute of rest. While beats are skipped pt is still asymptomatic (no pain, no SOB, no palpitations).
Once the pt discovered this, it was confirmed to happen at every vigorous workout and skipped beats may be every 6, every 7, every 10, every 10 and as often as every 5.
I'm told by my smarter medic friends that this could be "exercise induced PVCs" which are not uncommon. I've read about it and it seems that it may or may not be a marker for future problems and it may or may not require me to modify my workouts. So that is why I'm going to the doc.
comments and suggestions welcomed. If anyone is interested, I'll try and post a 12 lead.