Submitted by Dr T on December 26, 2011 – 2:43pm
Question:
I’m 65 and in excellent health. I run about 40 miles a week, have completed 15 marathons, do weight training 3 days a week and swim often. My resting heart rate is 44 bpm and all my latest blood work was perfect. I have an annual cardiologist appt and have had normal ekgs and echos. I’ve noticed lately that sometimes at rest (and sometimes during exercise) my heart will suddenly race. The beat is always steady but very fast and out of the ordinary. I don’t know how many beats per minute because I’m too busy trying to stop it. It seems to last only a minute or so but feels like an eternity. My guess is that it might be around 120 bpm but not certain. It stops as quickly as it starts and leaves me scared throughout the day. I called my cardiologist and he said not to worry and that my heart is normal . He further said that he caught a little of that a couple of years ago when I was on a monitor and it’s benign. Wonder what you think. I might add I’ve been a PAC/PVC sufferer for over forty years and am anxiety prone. Thanks so much
Hi Don,
PACs, Afib, PVCs and a number of other arrhythmias may the case, best judged with another Holter monitor and stress ECHO test. I don’t agree with your doctor since these are new to you, and before reassuring you, he should check you out.
Hope this helps,
Dr T