Cycling UK Forum

Theyre trying, so far no success

TrevA wrote: ↑21 Sep 2023, 3:26pm Can you explain what PVC’s and PAC’s are?

Premature atrial contractions (PAC) and premature ventricular contractions (PVC) are among the most common forms of arrhythmias. Both conditions are caused by premature electrical activation in your heart. This results in premature heart muscle contractions, which trigger extra heartbeats.

Has anyone else had chest pains because of their sleep apnea? I used to be a competitive athlete for 20+ year, then all of a sudden one day I started getting weird chest pain (angina like upper left) and super accelerated heart rate both after training/races and sometimes during them. Soon after I had completed a bunch of stress tests and heart tests which all came back saying I was in perfect shape (expected) I was also diagnosed soon after that with SA 60+AHI. I (stupidly) ignored the sleep apnea because I was so hyper focused on the heart rate and chest pain issues as they had now taken me complete out of my sport. I never made a connection between the 2 and my doctor didnt either, but for the next few years I carried around a portable ECG unit and I tested myself both during and after bike rides, and I start noticing PVCs and worse PACs showing up a lot on my ECG. My doctor told me to ignore then that they were not causing me any problems, but one thing I started to notice was that the frequency of PVCs and PACs went up a lot if I had a really poor sleep the night before. However if I had a reasonably good sleep, and better yet a nap before my training ride, I would have significantly less PAC and PVC activity on the ECG, and no pains or HR issues.

Has anyone else out there experienced anything similar to this? Did anyone find those problem went away after they got their SA under control?

Any idea what caused him to get scar tissue on his heart? Overtraining?

Ya I did that, I went to a cardiologist who works in a physiotherapy office.. he said it sounds like an arrhythmia to him, but then told me its something I have to take up with my GP. I get nothing but the run around here, its been 7 years now and no progress.

axel_knutt wrote: ↑3 Jun 2023, 12:00am

aegisgfx wrote: ↑2 Jun 2023, 10:32pm

axel_knutt wrote: ↑16 May 2023, 6:24pm I've stopped taking diltiazem because it's damaged my feet, I wouldn't be taking it voluntarily knowing what I know now. When you were discharged after the tests weren't you given any advice on what to do if it keeps happening?

Do you know of anyone who uses the "pill in pocket" approach to controlling periodic Afib with Flecainide? (i.e. you only take it when you actually have an episode, not all the time) Would that work in high level athletes?

There are some on the AF forum, but if you don't have a doctor who takes this seriously, where are you going to get prescription-only meds from anyway? If you're thinking of buying them online, I wouldn't, flecainide can cause cardiac arrest in patients who are susceptible.

Well Im currently working with a portable ECG unit and I'm hoping to catch them myself the next time they happen so I can prove this to my doc. Problem is when I get these issues my hands shake pretty bad so Im not sure if I'll be able to hold the unit stead enough to get a good reading. But thats the plan Ive got at the moment.

axel_knutt wrote: ↑16 May 2023, 6:24pm I've stopped taking diltiazem because it's damaged my feet, I wouldn't be taking it voluntarily knowing what I know now. When you were discharged after the tests weren't you given any advice on what to do if it keeps happening?

Do you know of anyone who uses the "pill in pocket" approach to controlling periodic Afib with Flecainide? (i.e. you only take it when you actually have an episode, not all the time) Would that work in high level athletes?

I've stopped taking diltiazem because it's damaged my feet, I wouldn't be taking it voluntarily knowing what I know now. When you were discharged after the tests weren't you given any advice on what to do if it keeps happening?
[/quote]

Do you know if anyone who uses the "pill in pocket" approach to controlling periodic Afib with Flecainide? (i.e. you only take it when you actually have an episode, not all the time) Would that work in high level athletes?

Anxiety

This has been suggested and you've associated that with being inadequately investigated and your concerns being dismissed.

From what you've told us I can see why it's being considered as a possibility.

Jonathan

I dont think Anxiety would be the cause, Ive been doing endurance athletics for over 20 years including races that take me to to top of mountains, not really the type of this I would associate with someone who has anxiety problems.

This problem came on very suddenly at the beginning of 2017, start with severe chest pains in the upper left right after intervals. It continued to get worse for the next 6 months to where I was getting pain and wildly off the charts heart rates after training sessions and races. And in spite of being in the best training shape of my life, I was tired and dizzy and weak at various timers who seemed very out of place for the point I was at in my season.

Depends on how serious this is, Ive yet to determine 100% for sure that it is AFIB, but even if I get to that stage I need to determine the severity of it and how dangerous it is, then I can decided if the dangers of a treatment out weight the dangers of just living with it.

Oh there probably are, but as I said my GP and cardio dont believe Im having this problem.. so its pretty hard to get any action here

Yes I have seen his videos, but again I am in Canada and he is in UK so getting a consultation there might be impossible

Jdsk wrote: ↑30 May 2023, 6:11pm Dealing with the healthcare professionals (in Canada)

What's the present state of play? Are you still communicating with them?

Do they know how unhappy you are with their management?

Do you think that you can get to a state of mutual trust? Would you like to see a different specialist?

Jonathan

No I have not talked to my cardiologist or GP since last year, they simply dont believe Im having a problem.

I have some abnormal results from a personal heart monitor I bought from last year, I might submit those to them but I already know what they are going to say.

I feel Im somewhat fortunate that I dont have AFIB all the time as some others seem to, this only happens to me about 1 out o 5 times when I go cycling and only when I try to do sustained high heart rates for intervals etc.

I have a personal monitoring device, I am scared to send the 'abnormal' results to my doctor since he already thinks this is all just in my head.

I have done 3 stress tests and 1 48hr holter test. And even though I had chest pains at least once on the holter and I marked them, they continue to say all they found on the tests were PVCs which they say are nothing.

None of the tests were long enough to trigger fast rhythm, they tests all lasted 15 minute or less. When I used to go cycling I would to training for up to 3 hours and during races I would have a 175-180HR for 50 to 80 minutes, then chest pain or fast rhythm after those races or training events, (but not always). So I have to do a very very high level of exertion to get these events to show up and Ive never had a fast rhythm during testing or monitoring.

Im reasonably certain AFIB is the answer to my chest pains and fast HR, but what Im more interested in is what if any solution is there? Is it really worth taking calcium blockers all the time for something that only happens when I do very high exertion, which I might do now a couple times a month or less? Ive stopped racing entirely because of this problem and I only trian hard now a few times a year because Im too scared to even push myself anymore.

axel_knutt wrote: ↑16 May 2023, 6:24pmIs it worth going on something like Diltiazem just to see if it helps?

I've stopped taking diltiazem because it's damaged my feet, I wouldn't be taking it voluntarily knowing what I know now. When you were discharged after the tests weren't you given any advice on what to do if it keeps happening?

I guess a better question is, are drugs a good idea at all considering this **only** happens when I do high levels of exertion/exercise, which Im doing a lot less of now than I did in the past. So if I only go out and bike 3 times a month now, is it worth taking drugs all the time for that?

Incidentally I have a severe form of central sleep apnea (diagnosed by so far untreated), and I can say the problems are very much worse when my sleep quality is poor.