Help!

I have been diagnosed with Athletic Hart Syndrome, coupled with several episodes of being extremely lightheaded for several days at a crack. I expect to be told on Thursday of this week that I will need a pacemaker to speed up my very slow heart rate, about 42 normally.
I am a long time runner and am very concerned a pacemaker will negatively affect my running ability. Of course, I have a number of other concerns about a pacemaker in general but I expect I can adjust. I am 58 and hope to continue a very active physical life swimming, running, canoeing/portaging, biking, etc. I can not imagine life without being active and pushing myself physically.
I am looking for information, well really reassurance, that my life will be able to continue much as it is if I have a pacemaker.
Any advice anyone can give?

8 Comments

Hart/Heart

by lenora - 2009-11-08 09:11:41

What tests have you had to rule out cardiomyopathy or ischemic heart disease? It's my understanding that athletic heart syndrome doesn't have to be treated unless you are passing out or develop a third degree block.



Correction

by Quetico - 2009-11-08 09:11:43

Upon further review I guess I have athletic "heart" syndrome--not "heart."!

will not interfere

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-08 09:11:51

If you do a search for "runner" here, you'll see that we have a lot of runners here who start off with the same concerns as you. You'll find that the pm gives you back the ability to be active again.

The pm will only be there to pick up the slack. Your heart will still set the pace, it will still do the beating. The pm sits back and watches. When it doesn't go fast enough, it'll generate the pulse that causes extra beats as needed. think of it as completing a broken electrical circuit.

What are your other concerns? I've had a pm since 1993. I'm very active and feel great. Most people don't even know I have it, they just see another busy mom. I don't let it slow me down at all and I have a lot more energy than before I got it.

That was quick

by Quetico - 2009-11-08 10:11:48

What a fast response. I have had any number of tests when I was in the hospital this spring for several days on two different ocassions, although I do not know the name of a single one of them. I do know they checked me for just about any test they could, which kept me in the hospital for a total of 7 days.
After the two episodes this spring that each lasted for several days ---including passing out once in each case--- I was told to drink gatorade, increase my salt intake, limit my aerobic exercise to less than an hour a day, sleep more, etc. It worked for six months and then I had this recent recurrance that lasted for 6 days, but was not as severe. I did have to lie down in my car several times when I was at work to get the symptoms to subside.
My heart rate at night is in the low to mid 30s, during the day it is usually about 42-44. I exercise a lot and can get it up to the 150s or 160s if I am am going all out for a few minutes at the end of the run.

Thanks!

by Quetico - 2009-11-09 06:11:39

Your comment was exactly what I was looking for.
Today I went to work early and had another episode where I could not function. I ended up at home sleeping for 7 hours and now feel just ok. Hopefully tomorrow is better.
I see the cardio doc Thursday, wish I could see him sooner. He put a pacemaker on hold this spring, but I suspect it is my time. I am very, very anxious to see him and get some direction.
The mental part of this deal is the worst. I thought for a time today maybe I am just having an aniety attack, not something heart related. I must be going crazy, I was thinking.
I love exercising so your comment was most appreciated.

You'll be fine!

by GMan - 2009-11-09 08:11:47

I do it all........never really was a runner except high school. The 2/mile run. 15+/wks. Pacing

Gary

Still running

by Drin6969 - 2009-11-09 09:11:19

Quetico,
I had my pacemaker inserted September 2nd of this year. I ran 9.5 miles Saturday and 6 on Sunday. I was unable to run that far before the pacemaker, I would get dizzy and lightheaded and had to stop. Although I ran 3 miles 5 days a week minimum before my pacer my cardiologist did not feel that was enough to lower my pulse rate into the 30's at night. I rarely had a heart rate above 40 at rest. I felt the difference as soon as they turned the pacemaker on. I was very fatigued and dizzy most of the time and almost passed out while driving. I have not had those symptoms since.

Because I was in good shape I returned to work 2 days after my pacemaker was inserted (I did not drive, I car pooled!). I was walking long distances within a few days and with my doctors permission running short distances about 10 days after my insertion.

I hesitated on getting the pacemaker inserted and put it off for 6 months. I now know I wasted 6 months feeling awful when I did not need to. Good luck! I hope you get good nes on all of your tests.

Very similar

by notyet - 2009-11-19 11:11:19

We are very similar. I'm 59, run, cycle, hike, backpack, surf, etc. I have a slow heart rate high 40's to 50's at rest and 40's at sleep. Additionally, I have atrial fibrillation and arrythmias. The A-fib was just diagnosed 2 months ago and I hope you don't have it also. My doctor says I need to be on beta-blockers to control the a-fib and arrythmias but the result will be to slow my already too slow heart rate to a dangerous level. consequently I may need a pacemaker to control the low rate.

I'm interested in finding if you have any other underlying heart problems such as rhythm, electrical problems or coronary artery disease (thankfully my arteries are completely clear).

I would highly recommend that you get copies of your tests for future reference. Taking them with you if you ever have to go back to the hospital could save you a bunch of unnecessary testing.

Good luck

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