Exercise induced palpitations

[CatherineRR]

Hello,

I’ve got a problem and I don’t know what to do next. I would appreciate any advice.

I’m 45, a bit overweight and working on it. After a longer and more intense exercise session, like a 5k run, my HR takes time to get back to normal, and I get tightness in my chest and palpitations (PVCs). I was referred to a chest pain clinic, I had a heart CT, exercise ECG and a 24h Holter, they showed nothing and I was discharged.

I did my first 5k run last Saturday, and for the rest of the day I felt tightness in my chest with occasional palpitations. Since then every day around midday it starts again and last for the rest of the day. It feels similar to thyroid hormone overmedication, which happened to me in the past, but now my dose is ok, with TSH around 1.

Catherine

[Happyrosie]

Perhaps you could ring the BHF cardiac nurses? Details on the BHF website. I believe you need advice from a medical professional, to tell them of your symptoms.

[devonian186]

Its difficult to know if your weight and the other problems you mention are related. To know that you will need proper medical advice.

What is your definition of a "bit" overweight? Lots of exercise and being substantially overweight are unlikely to be a good combination.

[CatherineRR in reply to devonian186]

BMI 28. Exercise is not new to me, I swim regularly, lift weights, and walk a lot. Running is new.

[Scotsman53]

The Holter can miss things, they know that and will probably consider doing it again but in any case you should talk to someone about this.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

+1 on getting proper medical advice. Try your GP first who will have access to your medical records.

[CatherineRR in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

I’ve already spoken to my GP, and referred to a chest pain clinic. The chest pain clinic discharged me and told me there is nothing wrong with me. All my test results were normal.

[fishonabike]

I agree with those who suggest medical advice - your history of thyroid involvement might have knock on effects for your heart in the long term, it may be that your medication needs adjusting with changes in diet, exercise, age etc, particularly as you enter your perimenopausal phase - hormonal changes can be subtle but have significant effects even if they are slight and your thyroid gland is part of you hormonal (endocrine) system

[Qualipop in reply to fishonabike]

Sounds like you need a full check up of thyroid too. Thyroid can fluctuate a lot. Also persist with getting tests for he palpitations, It t ok a year of various tests before anything caught mine so they could finally see where they were coming from and whether t hey were harmless. I had had a stress test and they left the electrodes attached afterwards while I recovered and thankfully a run of palpitations suddenly started. Maybe a stress test could replicate how you are after running.

[CatherineRR in reply to Qualipop]

I have my thyroid hormones tested every 4 months, and reviewed by an endocrinologist. My TSH, FT4 and FT3 levels are stable.

My stress test results were normal. I had it just a couple of months ago.