Runner with AF and HCM

[Flip70]

I am a keen runner, well was. 10 days ago I had just started out on a run, 5 minutes in to my run I was struggling to breath and had chest pains.

I went home and my wife took me into a walk in centre. To cut a long story short I ended up in hospital, several ECGs, MRI, Echos and an angiogram I was diagnosed with having AF and HCM.

Big shock, I have been told no running again. 3 months of no physical activity before another MRI to see if the HCM has reduced. I am waiting for an appointment for cardioversion.

Currently on beta blockers and blood thinners.

My resting heart rate is still high, and even walking sends it up to 110s.

[Dawsonmackay]

Sorry to hear but you have to listen now to your heart instead of your head. Changes are afoot and while alarming, can be what you need to take care of yourself. Things will calm down soon. Read the posts on this site and get educated. Thank heavens for this site. It's the difference between the dark and the light.

[7164 in reply to Dawsonmackay]

So true

Much more help than most medics sadly

[Tryfan]

Sorry to read that Flip. It seems that people who think they are doing the right thing. Running, cycling, lots of sports find themselves in this situation.

By a twist of fate my retired Cardio Consultant I now meet in a social environment and have time to talk. He says people like you and me who have been very fit and active with a lower than average heart rate are susceptible.

You need to try and stop worrying. Stress is a major contributing factor. You will get better. You will be active again. You may not be pushing yourself so hard.

Best wishes.

[irene75359]

I sympathise, it must have been a horrible shock. Coincidentally I was reading just a couple of days ago that (can't remember where) about the huge benefits of running and how one consultant did a study on participants, mostly middle-aged, who trained for a marathon. Knee scans were taken at the beginning of training and after completing in the marathon, and knee health improved remarkably in nearly every participant, some of whom had pre-existing problems. That may well be, but the other effects (AF etc) aren't well publicised and most runner/cyclists don't know until they develop the condition.

[Ianc2]

See if you dig out a copy of 'The haywire heart', written by an EP who is also a competitive cyclist.

[Flip70 in reply to Ianc2]

Hi Lanc2

Thanks for that, I have ordered a copy

😀👍