Running and the Heart
I think it is fair to say that a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of heart problems and moderate running or any other form of regular physical exercise reduces the risk.
However what about running marathons and ultra marathons? Can we be sure that we arent increasing the risk at the other end of the spectrum by subjecting the heart to what it was not designed to do?
I caught the running bug more than 3 years ago. Now after more than 4000kms of running, including 6 full marathons I am lighter, fitter and have higher energy levels during the day than ever before.
However resting ECG of my heart before and after gives a different picture. What was normal before now shows up as 'abnormal' - subnormal resting heartrate, first degree AV block, right axis shift, high QTc interval etc.
Is this a normal adaptation of the heart to distance running or a sign of trouble ahead? The cardiologists that I have consulted havent been convincing one way or the other.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
However what about running marathons and ultra marathons? Can we be sure that we arent increasing the risk at the other end of the spectrum by subjecting the heart to what it was not designed to do?
I caught the running bug more than 3 years ago. Now after more than 4000kms of running, including 6 full marathons I am lighter, fitter and have higher energy levels during the day than ever before.
However resting ECG of my heart before and after gives a different picture. What was normal before now shows up as 'abnormal' - subnormal resting heartrate, first degree AV block, right axis shift, high QTc interval etc.
Is this a normal adaptation of the heart to distance running or a sign of trouble ahead? The cardiologists that I have consulted havent been convincing one way or the other.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by kaushik r pnchal on -
hi group my ecg is showing RBBB Blockage, practasing for 21 km is it safe?
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Permalink Reply by Hrishikesh Kumar on -
Hi Kaushik,
In general Right Bundle branch Block ( RBBB) is a benign ECG change. There are two patterns of RBBB- Incomplete RBBB and complete RBBB. Incomplete RBBB pattern is seen in about 20-30% athletes, they are benign and there is nothing to worry about.
On the other hand, Complete RBBB is seen in less than 3% of athletes. Complete RBBB can be benign or it can rarely be marker of underlying heart or lung condition. It is more common in asthmatic people or those who smoke/smoked.
In any case, if you have no chest pain or shortness of breath on minor exertion, continue your training.
Whether your ECG shows complete or incomplete RBBB- a good cardiologist should tell you about that. Don't rely on computerised reports produced by ECG machines - usually their interpretations are dumb.
Best
kaushik r pnchal said:hi group my ecg is showing RBBB Blockage, practasing for 21 km is it safe?
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Permalink Reply by kaushik r pnchal on
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thanks hrishikesh i really appreciate yur quick response.well my doctor says that my rbbb must be from birth and i took opinion from other cardiac doctor and they say that i have i have to do 2 d echo which came out quite normal with lvef of 55 %-58%.
i have been running 21 km quite regularly since last 7 yrs in scmm with a avg. time of 2.30 hrs.But this year i want to push my self more and do it in 2.00 hrs and thats the reason why i am little bit concerned about my heart conditions.
Hrishikesh Kumar said:Hi Kaushik,
In general Right Bundle branch Block ( RBBB) is a benign ECG change. There are two patterns of RBBB- Incomplete RBBB and complete RBBB. Incomplete RBBB pattern is seen in about 20-30% athletes, they are benign and there is nothing to worry about.
On the other hand, Complete RBBB is seen in less than 3% of athletes. Complete RBBB can be benign or it can rarely be marker of underlying heart or lung condition. It is more common in asthmatic people or those who smoke/smoked.
In any case, if you have no chest pain or shortness of breath on minor exertion, continue your training.
Whether your ECG shows complete or incomplete RBBB- a good cardiologist should tell you about that. Don't rely on computerised reports produced by ECG machines - usually their interpretations are dumb.
Best
kaushik r pnchal said:hi group my ecg is showing RBBB Blockage, practasing for 21 km is it safe?
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