Running and cardiac arrest

[Mrun1]

Ok, so I was feeling proud of myself for completing my first ever run with the couch to 5k app!

Then this evening I saw on Facebook about two young men that tragically passed away while running the Cardiff marathon.

Cue my health anxiety! I started to worry and of course my worry lead me to google "is running good for you" and "why do some people die doing the marathon"

Now, I'm not comparing my 8 mins total run to a marathon. BUT, I got worried as someone who NEVER exercises and all of a sudden starts running, is this actually a good for me and my heart?

found this in an article online

"There's now overwhelming evidence indicating that conventional cardio or long-distance running is one of the worstforms of exercise there is, and even if you're one of the lucky ones who does not end up suffering from a sudden cardiac event in the middle of a race, in the long run your heart health can still suffer"

Now I'm feeling majorly confused and concerned if I should carry on with this 😰 I hate health anxiety!!!! It ruins everything for me!

[b1b1b1]

If you are worried about running, there are many other types of exercise with similar benefits that may be more enjoyable for you.

[Mrun1 in reply to b1b1b1]

Thanks. I think I'll do some research over the weekend and find something I feel comfortable with.

I do realise I'm probably being silly, but my anxiety is fully in control at the moment.

[Krn210]

Keep in mind that it is possible to find something negative online about anything. It seems that there is more negative than positive out there. With that being said...you can’t worry about everything that could possibly ever happen. I mean you can but you’re going to be miserable and 90% of it will never happen. If running is something you enjoy than go ahead and do it. I think in moderation you’re just fine. Overdoing most things can have a possible negative outcome. So the short of it. Don’t let a couple negative stories ruin your accomplishment for you.

[Mrun1 in reply to Krn210]

You're so right. And that is exactly what I need to tell myself.

I can't and I won't allow anxiety to ruin another thing for me.

It's getting way out of control now.

[Ckd123]

I know where you are coming from because I have really bad health anxiety and it’s mainly focused on my heart. I’m the extreme though I think in that I can’t exercise because I’m afraid I’ll have a heart attack. I’v tried walking but it just sends me into a panic. I hate this, I really want to start brisk walking for my health but my stupid mind is stopping me.

I too heard of them runners in Cardiff and I started to worry and panic wondering how people so healthy can just die like this.

Sorry I have no advice xx

[Mrun1 in reply to Ckd123]

I started running as I've heard it works wonders for stopping anxiety.

I think the best way I can deal with this for peace of mind is, get my heart checked out. Once I get the all clear I can start to run without worry.

You must also be realistic with yourself. Be rational. Many many medical studies have been done and they prove that doing exercise is so much better for you than not doing exercise.

Evern an over weight smoker who drinks, but runs a couple times a week, is more healthy than a non drinker and non smoker who doesn't run. (That's what I've read online anyway)

Don't let anxiety ruin your mind and your physical health! I know it's hard, believe me it terrifies me. But you have to try and push yourself ❤️

[SCOUT1112]

Running stopped my anxiety attacks, give it time it really works. You will feel so much better !

[Mrun1 in reply to SCOUT1112]

It's the whole reason I started. I heard it works wonders for anxiety.

Did you have a health check before starting to run? Or am I just being utterly ridiculous in considering doing that...?

[dobguy1]

You could be right. My dad was a long distance runner back in the 70s and ran half marathon. One of many but somehow he injured his foot during the race. He spent the next year and a half going to doctors and they had no idea what to do. Finally he killed himself by jumping off a 200 foot bridge in San Diego. He could not take the pain anymore of his foot and not being able to run.

[anxiousamber83]

Very sad story and I'm sorry that it is impacting all the great progress you've made. I can certainly relate. Here is another way to look at this... and it's taken me a long time to do this. I just went and googled the article. 2 things stood out to me. They were both young - 20's and 30's. That to me is interesting in itself. I thought for sure they would be older. Second thing I noticed was this was the first time in the races 15 year history. So 15 years and 2 people die in the same race? Bottom line there is something more going on here then we know. The way to eliminate fear and anxiety is to introduce logic and fact. Always ask yourself the facts when you read stories like this. These stories are usually write to sensationalize or to pull in readers. Not to mention they don't usually and don't contain a lot of facts. I would immediately ask, do I know their full health history? Do I know the drugs they were taking or any other substances they used? Prescription and nonprescription? Did they have any prior issues? Bottom line we have no idea all the variables that played into this. Running this hard, in heat, with with health conditions and possible medications, can cause rare, tragic events. When you read about the causes behind sudden cardiac death and marathons, you first find that it's incredibly rare. Second, it is almost always tied to coronary artery disease or heat stroke. Given all of these facts, you can't logically compare yourself to them. There is no telling all that played into it. Keep running, the likelihood of this ever happening to you close to zero. You will be ok. And remember everything in moderation is good and just listen to your body. Rest and drink water. Don't run in extreme heat. Congratulations on your first run!

[Mrun1 in reply to anxiousamber83]

Thank you so much. You have no idea how much confort I took from your words of wisdom! Everything you said is completely right and I need to remind myself of this each time I start to let anxiety take over.

I went for my run yesterday. I promised myself I wouldn't let my anxieties ruin running for me.

Still had this nagging thought that maybe I have undiagnosed heart problems. Then I pushed that thought aside, as to be honest it's very unlikely, and I ran!

As I was running and my heart rate was increasing and I started to worry for a second, then I reminded myself that my body is behaving exactly as it should be. I started focusing on my breathing and in under a minute all anxiety had been pushed away and all focus was on my run! I hope it stays this way, as the anxiety is ruining everything I enjoy.

It was only W1R2, but I'm still proud. Not of the run, but of the fact I didn't let my anxieties win 😁