Running with Asthma

[Biker70]

Does anyone know if running with asthma puts a strain on the heart?

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

I don't know but bear in mind that many there have been and are plenty of asthmatic elite athletes across a variety of sports. It may be a factor if you have an underlying heart condition ...

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

It’s always worth checking with your GP/asthma nurse.

In theory it will limit the amount of oxygen you can take on during the activity, and so to get the same amount as someone without asthma your heart would work harder… this would depend on your lung capacity of course, we are not all equal there to start with, and if my daughter’s peak flow testing is anything to go by even in asthmatics there is a wide variation.

As the plan (and indeed most of your future running) is best done at a conversational pace, then the opposite of the above will apply. Conversational pace will put you into a percentage of max HR band (heart rate zone) so you will reach your vO2max (the maximum amount of oxygen you can take on) at a slower pace… your heart should, therefore, not be under any extra strain. This would not apply to speed and tempo running, but you wouldn’t be doing those for a while! So the same comfort/effort level may have you slightly slower than if you didn’t have asthma.

Now the good news… my daughter did this plan with me and started with peak flow measuring 60% of what it should be, and then at the next asthma check (after six months of running) she blew 97… the year after she scored 100. She takes her “daily” inhaler (she’s a teen an forgets a lot) sometimes, and carries her on demand one… but she hasn’t had cause to use that one for nearly 4 years now. I also have an ultra marathon running asthmatic friend who carries his inhalers, but hasn’t used them in decades. He is 7 years older than me, has better vO2max, and lower HR at the same pace.

Hope this helps, but if you are concerned, please go back to my first comment, and go get checked out and speak to somebody qualified.

[00marks Graduate]

If you have any health concerns it would be wise to check things out with your GP. That should give you the reassurance and advice you are looking for,

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

As said elsewhere, check with your GP.

As an asthmatic I make sure to use my inhaler before a run to get maximum benefit in the deepest parts of my lungs.