How high can you go?

My upper limit was raised to 165 a few months ago. Last week after a workout, my HR monitor read 258 for the high number. That beats my past high number of 227 not long ago....(not that I am trying to beat it).

I didn't do any aerobics that day at the gym last week, only weight machines. It has been over 200 a few times in the past month.

My Polar HR monitor has really been right on target. During an intensive exercise class a few months ago, my HR monitor registered 220 for the high at the end of the class. During the next interrogation report, it recorded 8 episodes, all during the hour of the class with the high being 217 for 8 seconds. So the HR monitor for me has proven to be very accurate.

My CRT-D is programmed to shock at about 14 seconds I believe, so I've lucked out a few times now. It feels good to workout at the gym and I have worked very hard at it in the past few years. I truly hate to give this up but at the same time I don't want to be shocked. This is very frustrating not to mention.....scary.

I know it's small stuff compared to what is going on in the World right now but....trying to breathe easy....LOL.

Grateful Heart

5 Comments

Betablockers?

by golden_snitch - 2014-09-09 03:09:28

Hey!

I think, all of the defibrillator patients I know are on betablockers, so that their heart rate doesn't go up too high. Otherwise, especially while exercising, the defib could interpret a fast sinus rhythm or supraventricular tachycardia wrongly and start shocking. Aren't you on any betablockers, or does your rate go up that high even with betablockers? If the latter, maybe you need a higher dosage? If you do not take any blockers, a low dosage could probably help to reduce those incidences when your heart rate exceeds 200bpm.

Also, doesn't an ICD usually start anti-tachycardia pacing, before it shocks? Maybe one could prolong that period in which it uses ATP?

Sorry, not an ICD patient myself, just know a couple of patients personally.

Hope you find a solution that allows you to continue with your gym sessions.

Inga

By the way, there is a nice article on ICD patients and sports at:

http://www.cxvascular.com/crn-features/cardiac-rhythm-news---features/sports-for-young-patients-with-implantable-cardioverter-defibrillators-refining-the-risk

Hey Inga

by Grateful Heart - 2014-09-09 07:09:09


Thanks for responding. Yes, I do take a BB, Carvedilol (Coreg). I take 25 mg. twice a day....I believe that is the highest dose for that drug.

And yes, the ATP was raised from 180 to 220 a while back. So I guess it is doing it's job and I shouldn't worry?? I can't seem to catch my high HR on the monitor when it occurs to see if it is during a certain exercise/ machine. There are times I feel my heart racing, I guess that when it kicks in.

Thanks for the article. It looks like they are saying don't worry about it.

Hope you are feeling better now. How is the training going? I used to love running. That is out of the question now with my hips, etc. So run a few laps for me....LOL.

Grateful Heart

Betablocker

by golden_snitch - 2014-09-10 01:09:33

Hey!

Maybe try a different betablocker? How long have you been on Coreg? When I was on drugs to treat my arrhythmias, I often had the experience that my body got used to a dosage, and then we had to increase it or change drugs. Could be that the Coreg no longer has the same effect on your heart rate as it used to have. Just a thought.

Thanks, running is going quite well. Did my first one hour run (8.7km) on Saturday :-) Next goal is to be able to do a 10k. And when I have accomplished this, I want to try to do it in less than one hour. Way to go!

Inga

Interesting

by Grateful Heart - 2014-09-10 06:09:42


I've been on Coreg for 6 years now. The Doctor mentioned something about Digoxin a while back. Maybe that is what he is thinking. I don't know much about Digoxin. I have more to learn.

10 minute miles.....you'll do it.....anytime now.

Good for you!

Grateful Heart

I'm not on anything

by mtaylor - 2014-09-15 12:09:21

I don't take beta blockers (or anything, for that matter). I know I can sustain about a 160-170 rate for 45 minutes or so on a bike, if I remember correctly my upper limit is set to 200.

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