Av block, bradycardia and exercise.

[Spedyrecovry50]

Hi. I wondered if anyone could help. I had a 24 hour ecg and have been told I have stage 1 av block and bradycardia. Recently the symptoms have been getting worse. My heart misses a beat during the day and I feel dizzy quite alot. My average heart rate is 45-50 beats a minute. It does go down to 37. I hurt my back so I stopped all exercise. Since then the symptoms have increased. I am due to see a cardiologist at the end of the month but I want to start exercises again but I don't know if it will make it worse.I was walking alot and weight lifting but I would get pounding in my ears quite easily.

Any suggestions would be good as I want to try and lose some weight. Thanks. Regards.

[Chinkoflight]

Lack of exercise will do more harm than even a limited amount of exercise. Why do they get people moving in hospital after the most extreme surgical interventions? Try Active 10 and Couch to 5k if your GP or practice nurse say they are appropriate. I've had a severe stroke and used C25K as my self help recovery programme. 18 months on I do short runs 3/4 times a week, a Parkrun 5k on most Saturday's and occasionally I run longer distances when I feel in the mood up to 10 k. It's been liberating, I am measurably fitter, my cardiovascular health has improved, a dodgy hip and knees are now much stronger and no longer cause me jip! You have to find your own level and comfort zone to start from, but given you have enjoyed fitness before getting back on the horse will do your self esteem no end of good and you will be able to look the GP's etc in the eye and say I'm trying to help myself here too as well as their necessary help.Stay positive.

[Spedyrecovry50 in reply to Chinkoflight]

Thanks for the reply. My gp did mention c5k. I might give it a go.

[Chinkoflight in reply to Spedyrecovry50]

Forgot to say I have Bradycardia with ectopics and recently picked up Afib, again all okay for exercise. The mantra's I use, are to always exercise at a conversational pace, and no pain, no pain! If you can say that sentence without gasping for breath and in no pain you're doing it right!

[Palpman]

Stage 1 heartblock is often associated with Bradycardia. Most times that my heart rate drops below 43 it precipitates ectopic beats and palpitations. To prevent this I do some exercise as it raises my heartbeat for hours and I feel no ectopics at all.

[Spedyrecovry50]

Thanks everyone. I am going to try some zone 2 sessions until I talk to the cardiologist.

[Cpr2018]

Sorry no advice here but jumping on because I’ve had exactly the same diagnosed this week. No other health issues. Reaching out as you’re the first person I’ve found with the same but I’m waiting for echocardiogram due to familial history of cardiomyopathy. Can I ask if medication has been given to manage your symptoms? I’m waiting to see cardio this week…

[Spedyrecovry50 in reply to Cpr2018]

Sorry to hear about you're diagnoses. I havent had any meds yet. I am seeing the cardiologist at the end of the month. I have been looking into low heart rate training. I gave it a go this morning. It was very good. Felt like I worked my muscles. Kept my heart rate low so no pounding or palpitations. Which is great. I tend to keep under 120. I do this with all exercise.

There's a website run to the finish. She goes into low heart rate training in detail.

I will update everyone when I find out more.

[Bingo88]

All I can say is I was diagnosed with a low heart rate of 48. And was fitted with a Pacemaker. Hope they sort out your problem. Brian

[EMBoy]

I have a stage 2 AV block (Mobitz type 2) which has been treated with a pacemaker. Before the pacemaker, my heart was missing beats and I was feeling dizzy, especially when I exerted myself, and in the end, I collapsed while loading some heavy shopping into the back of my car after rushing around the supermarket.

Exercise is always good for you, but it won't stop the missed beats, even though it will raise your heart rate. All I can say is give the exercise a shot, but take care if you start to feel dizzy.

All the best.

[Spedyrecovry50]

Little update. I was looking on the NHS app. I had always thought that I had had a heart attack when I was 28. I found out that in 2012 I had another one. This concerns me as far as the exercise is concerned because I have had some little bits of chest pain over the last few weeks. I am talking to my gp on Friday so I am going to stop the exercise until then. Thanks again for all you're reply.

[Spedyrecovry50]

Hi everyone. I spoke to my gp. She said to stop all exercise until I talk to the cardiologist on the 30th. She is also doing a load of blood tests. Its a bit frustrating as I love exercise but I have been feeling rough recently so its probably a good thing.

[Spedyrecovry50]

Another update. Had a echocardiogram. Everything was ok. There's a little bit of regurgitation but the rest is OK. Still picked up the bradycardia. Not seeing the cardiologist until February. Which is annoying. Still got another 24 hour ecg to do but I cant see that will show much more. Wondering if I can exercise again now.