I had my annual physical last Friday. Besides the doc running a smidge late, all was going well and I’d survived my stint in the nasty gown when the EKG tech wheeled in her machine. Shortly after the electrodes were removed my doc was back. I expected her to send me on my merry way for another year. Imagine my surprise when she told me this:
“There was something on your EKG. Why don’t you wait here until I hear from the Cardiologist. He may want you to go directly to the ER.”
Wait. WHAT? ER?
She proceeded to show me the EKG and the blip that concerned her. The EKG tech wheeled her contraption back in, this time for a longer test. I laid there in denial. Surely that blip was a one-time thing. Plus don’t they know I’m going mushing in Alaska? I have no time for a heart issue. We’d just done a stress echo 2 years ago and my heart was clean and strong. Could something have gone so wrong as to warrant an ER visit in 2 quick years? The longer EKG came back clean and the Cardiologist was not nearly as alarmed as my GP. I was free to go but not before I got the order for a Holter monitor, which I’ll wear thru normal activity for a few days.
(source)
Why I’m not worried:
- I had an abnormal EKG 2 years ago that prompted the stress echo I mentioned above. Passed with flying colors. Heart was strong and clear.
- My thyroid is off. We’re in the process of switching from synthetic to natural thyroid hormone. Maybe this also has an effect on my heart?
- Vitamin D is still low: Despite getting plenty of sun. A wonky thyroid inhibits vitamin D absorption.
Why I am worried:
- Heart disease runs rampant on my dad’s side. His mom and all 3 of his sisters died of it. This fact is precisely why I took up running in the first place and tried to live a healthier, more active lifestyle than the one I saw my dad live.
- My running has been on an unexplained downward spiral for almost 3 years now. Sure one gets slower with age but not the way I have. What used to be an easy pace now puts my heart in tempo range. I feel like I need to work way too hard to achieve paces that were once effortless. Has running sucked because I’ve lost my passion for it? Or have I lost my passion for running because I feel weak and winded every time I run? I’ve beaten myself up for not being ‘in better shape’ and tried in vain to suck it up and push thru workouts. Maybe there’s something more going on? Until now, my doc has dismissed my whining, blaming perimenopause but now I’m not so sure.
So there you have it. For now we wait and try not to entertain worst-case scenarios. I worked out as normal over the weekend, but with walk breaks in my runs (which have become the norm) and more time on the bike. Outside of running, I feel perfectly fine. For now, the Alaskan mushing adventure will go off as planned.
sending you prayers as you wait.
Carla
I’ve gone through all the same stuff: wonky ekg, holter monitor, stress test, echo cardio gram. In my case the conclusion was that I have heart arrythmia, but a healthy heart. It just doesn’t beat quite right. I’m kind of on a ‘wait and see’ plan. As long as no significant symptoms, I was told to just keep doing what I’m doing. Telling you this, just so you know that it isn’t necessarily going to turn out scary bad. But it’s good that you are getting it checked!
It is hard stuff – I think we can never be too safe or sorry type thing… especially with that family history. You have the monitor & you are aware so I think that is a good thing.. best to be sure than sorry – right! HUGS!!!!
I’m so glad you are on top of it and asking questions and getting it lookd into. As scary as it is, it’s the best thing you can do. I’m hoping and praying they get it all figured out – it’d be great to have some answers.
Until then, no stress – have a great Alaskan adventure!
That’s scary, but I think you’ll come out of it on the other end more than OK. Your lifestyle is protective and you are smart. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
BTW, how did I not know you were going on a mushing adventure? Was there a blog post I missed? Please email me the link if you have time.
Terzah I don’t think I blogged about the mushing adventure…yet…
Oh man, medical issues are always so stressful! I’ll be thinking of you.
Glad it’s okay for now, hopefully everything will come back clean.
I know you’re interested in possibly trying MAF Training — I would definitely recommend it!
Sending good vibes your way.
Prayers that it’s just perimenopause and nothing more. Scary but sound like the longer EKG was a good sign:)
Wow, talk about an alarmist statement! I’m glad things don’t seem to be as bad as the tech led you to think, but I’m thinking of you. Heart disease runs in my family too!
That sounds like a scary experience! I’m glad the longer test showed normal. I’ll be thinking of you.
Good for you for getting it checked out. Hopefully it turns out to be nothing again. Also, hopefully you find out soon. Waiting sucks.
Have fun in Alaska and take care. Try not to worry. Easier said than done.
No one should have an EKG test before they mush in Alaska! Louise will persevere, that’s what her and her side-kick do, but I know it’s still worrisome.
As for that running gig, it’s just so hard to lose an ounce of fitness at our age; once we do, we have to work 10x harder to get it back, which sucks.
Hang in there, sweetums. I hope you have a fantastic trip to Alaska and if the have texting options up there, send me a quick update now and then!
xo
Marcia, I hope that it was 100% a false alarm by an over-reacting DR!!! I know that is scary when DR tells you something like that!!!
I hope that it doesn’t stress you and ruin your upcoming Alaskan adventure!!
The positive I’m taking out of this was that the cardiologist wasn’t too alarmed. And he let you go home. That’s got to be good. Hope the results from the Holter thingy come back clear.
My completely unprofessional guess is that you have compromised adrenals. This can cause/exacerbate thyroid issues and create/accentuate peri menopause issues. Combined with your familial history of heart issues, this completely pulled out of my ass diagnosis makes sense to me 🙂 hope all is well and remains that way!
Milfy Ive been barking up the adrenal fatigue tree for some time now. I think its a valid theory.
How scary — lifting you up in prayer, girl!! I’ve been fearful of borderline high blood pressure, and I’m not getting any younger, so I’m taking it more seriously now. Since we monitor my Dad’s BP everyday, I’ve decided to do the same and get an average for peace of mind.
That is a little scary; I would worry too. As far as slowing down goes- it’s so hard to go the pace our body NEEDS to go without ego getting in the way. Hopefully your dr or a sports therapist can help you with determining the optimal HR zone you need to be in to keep going strong 🙂
Yikes! I hope it comes back that is was just a blip! The docs freaked out that my HR was so low and made me get an EKG a few years ago. I hope you are just super fit! Although, that doesn’t explain how you’ve felt a running decline. Either way, sending you warm thoughts for the best outcome!
Praying everything is ok and that it was nothing!