Newbie

Hi everyone,

Newbie here.

Was an interesting week, last Monday I fainted while on the treadmill, passed out for less the a minute. Wife took me to the ER as I had CABGx4 last year and was never a fainter.

They did some test, the usual stuff.

On Tuesday the Dr. was thinking an elecrical issue as my bypass was just over a year old, as well as I am a runner and had just completed  half marathon 3 weeks ago.

So he sent me for a stress test, this is where the fun started, I went through the first 3 stages of the test without issues and the cardio tech asked if I wanted stage 4, there was also a Dr there, so 2 minutes in I fainted and woke to the Dr performing CPR.

I seemed to be a very interesting case to them, but they had a very accurate readout of what had been going on and from this they concluded that I had a Ventricular Tachycardia episode and need an ICD. They also went on to say that they suspected that my beta blocker had been supressing it and as I had been coming off the beta blocker it crept through.

So 3 days later a medivac flight to a cardic centre for a 45 mins procedure and a flight back later in the afternoon.

So roaming the internet with a thirst for info I came across this site and will be reading for a while.

Being a runner one of the things I want to get back to is running, my wife runs and it is our social outlet, so I really don't want to not run and my Drs have said I should continue, just not sure my head will let me for a bit, plus I am pretty sore right now from not only the surgery but also the rib pain from the CPR.

Please feel free to send me any insights you have, I am also part of abother great group called Cardiac Athletes which I joined after my bypass, a great group filled with postive people and hope to find the same here.

Derek

 

 

 

3 Comments

Sounds like you had fun this week.

by AgentX86 - 2019-05-05 19:53:39

First, welcome to where you don't want to be. An ICD is obviously required, in your case.  You didn't say but I suppose that you're going to be back on the beta blockers, as well.

Endurance sports and cardiac electrical problems go together like peanut butter and Wonder Bread (I know, gross ;-).  The theory is that the stress of endurance sports causes the heart to expand, which leads to fibrosis, the basis for many electrical problems.  Not saying that you shoutd stop but understand how you got here and you're in good company.

Welcome to the club you didn't want to join

by Theknotguy - 2019-05-05 21:16:47

Welcome to the club you didn't want to join.  Sounds like you have the right attitude.  But, just the same, get out and get moving as soon as you can. Walking at first.  After the wound has healed, start your running again.  

For me, a similar situation.  Out walking the dogs.  Having a great day.  Turned the corner, everything went black.  Woke up six days later after they had done CPR.  

I'm back to doing everything I was doing before I got the pacemaker - and doing some things I wasn't able to because I didn't have a good heartbeat.  

I hope everything goes well for you and you recover quickly.  
 

derek

by gben - 2019-05-26 05:59:43

you sound the one hell of a guy. you'll be ok and tis is my wish for you.

You know you're wired when...

Your heart beats like a teenager in love.

Member Quotes

I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.