| |
Main
Date: 22 Nov 2006 08:00:06
From: mike e
Subject: heart question re: running, "AHS" ?
|
Hi - a newcomer to the group with a question. I am in my 48 and
started jogging 4-5x a week over the past 6 months or so to lose weight
(i have run off and on since my 20s. i am 5'8 at abt. 172 lbs now,
down from abt.
200 lbs about 6 months ago. I was pretty out of shape and do not
really do much other workout than this
activity.
I had a Physical today and my doctor suggested, based on the heart test
in his office that the heart might
be larger as a result of exercise... and wants to schedule additional
EKG/ECG or whatever diagnostic testing
is done -- to take a closer look.
I am sort of a worrier-type and this made me wonder if there is cause
for concern if, for example i were to
stop running or change to a different form of exercise that might be
less strenuous. If in fact it is enlarged,
is there any adverse consequence if i were to stop running or exercise
for any length of time...or otherwise
am i getting anxious over nothing...
apologies for anything here that's been asked and answered before but
it's just something that never
occurred to me and i'd appreciate any perspective.
thank you,
mike in mich
|
|
| |
Date: 22 Nov 2006 10:17:09
From: mike e
Subject: Re: heart question re: running, "AHS" ?
|
> I had an insurance doc say the same thing, and I got an echogram which
> showed a normal "athletic heart" (bigger than normal). Not that uncommon
> among runners.
>
> Maybe get a second opinion before additional tests (unless insurance pays
> it), but I wouldn't ignore it.
Dan, thanks. I am already scheduled for the echocardiogram.
If it is enlarged, any opinion as far as it being a problem if i were
to stop or cut back on my athletic activity for any length of time? I
guess that leaves me a little confused - as well as whether it
that condition can 'reverse.'
|
| | |
Date: 22 Nov 2006 18:56:56
From: Dan Stumpus
Subject: Re: heart question re: running, "AHS" ?
|
"mike e" <mikes425@gmail.com > wrote
> If it is enlarged, any opinion as far as it being a problem if i were
> to stop or cut back on my athletic activity for any length of time? I
> guess that leaves me a little confused - as well as whether it
> that condition can 'reverse.'
Please see your medical professional :-)
|
| | |
Date: 22 Nov 2006 19:24:41
From: TxRengade
Subject: heart question re: running, "AHS" ?
|
mike e Wrote:
> I had an insurance doc say the same thing, and I got an echogram
> which-
> showed a normal "athletic heart" (bigger than normal). Not that
> uncommon
> among runners.
>
> Maybe get a second opinion before additional tests (unless insurance
> pays
> it), but I wouldn't ignore it.-
>
> Dan, thanks. I am already scheduled for the echocardiogram.
>
> If it is enlarged, any opinion as far as it being a problem if i were
> to stop or cut back on my athletic activity for any length of time? I
> guess that leaves me a little confused - as well as whether it
> that condition can 'reverse.'
I am not a doctor and I don't even play one on TV, but I know this: and
enlarged heart is a problem if there are other symptoms such as high
blod pressure and if there is a pressure gradient between the right and
left ventricles.
Also, you must have a stress test done so your doctor can evaluate the
heart's performance under exercise conditions.
Good luck.
--
TxRengade
|
| |
Date: 22 Nov 2006 16:21:21
From: Dan Stumpus
Subject: Re: heart question re: running, "AHS" ?
|
"mike e" <mikes425@gmail.com > wrote in
> I am sort of a worrier-type and this made me wonder if there is cause
> for concern if, for example i were to
> stop running or change to a different form of exercise that might be
> less strenuous. If in fact it is enlarged,
> is there any adverse consequence if i were to stop running or exercise
> for any length of time...or otherwise
> am i getting anxious over nothing...
I had an insurance doc say the same thing, and I got an echogram which
showed a normal "athletic heart" (bigger than normal). Not that uncommon
among runners.
Maybe get a second opinion before additional tests (unless insurance pays
it), but I wouldn't ignore it.
|
| |
Date: 22 Nov 2006 14:43:24
From: mike e
Subject: Re: heart question re: running, "AHS" ?
|
Thanks Rick, I think my regular doc was of the opinion it is of the
'good' kind, because i started running after having my last physical
(and EKG) and had been doing very little exercise at that time
He just wanted me to have the echogram to confirm this is a reflection
of the exercise routine,
so, hopefully i won't need a cardiologist : )
rick++ wrote:
> Make sure you get a cardiologist experienced with endurance athletes.
> Many endurance athletes have enlarged heart cardiograms,
> but of the good kind. It means the heart is more efficient, not
> struggling.
> You could have the bad kind too. But unlikely because most of
> those lose their breath after running a few steps. Only a genuine
> sports cardiologist would know for sure.
>
> Reminds me of a funny story. I was at the Seattle Science museum
> where they have a interactive health exhibits. One mearsured the
> 1-2 trace of your heart beat. My trace kept on coming up as a sick
> heart example and scaring the people I was with. So I looked it
> up med book (pre-Net days) and it explained this was an athletic
> heart. I had been an endurance runner for 20 years by then
> and gone another 17 since.
|
| |
Date: 22 Nov 2006 13:15:28
From: rick++
Subject: Re: heart question re: running, "AHS" ?
|
Make sure you get a cardiologist experienced with endurance athletes.
Many endurance athletes have enlarged heart cardiograms,
but of the good kind. It means the heart is more efficient, not
struggling.
You could have the bad kind too. But unlikely because most of
those lose their breath after running a few steps. Only a genuine
sports cardiologist would know for sure.
Reminds me of a funny story. I was at the Seattle Science museum
where they have a interactive health exhibits. One mearsured the
1-2 trace of your heart beat. My trace kept on coming up as a sick
heart example and scaring the people I was with. So I looked it
up med book (pre-Net days) and it explained this was an athletic
heart. I had been an endurance runner for 20 years by then
and gone another 17 since.
|
|
