Hi. I am a new masters swimmer and I am wondering if something I am experiencing happens to a lot of others. Soon after I started swimming regularly with a masters team I started feeling this occasional tightness in my chest. I didn't even think it would have anything to do with swimming, so even though I am only 26, I was worried about my heart and went to a doctor. She said it was probably just stress and did an EKG which turned out fine and told me not to worry. A couple months later, I still feel it once in a while, and I think it might happen more often after hard FLY/*** workouts. I was thinking about going back to the doctor to see if it is a muscular thing, so I was just wondering if it was something common. Anyone had this?
Laurie
Parents
Former Member
I'm almost convinced that the shortness of breath comes more from tension in my chest brought on by whatever this muscular/skeletal problem is than from any problem with my lungs. If it were a real lung problem, I think I would become hypoxic when exercising and pass out, whereas an upper body workout has the opposite effect of easing it (at least while I'm working out). I think I feel that twinge behind the sternum, tense up and start breathing strangely.
Curiously, I had considered that the chest discomfort may be an alignment problem. I'm a television cameraman and spend a lot of time with unbalanced weight on my back. I actually started back swimming a few years ago, after a long hiatus, because swimming seems to loosen my back and pull everything back out straight.
Eh, who knows. My clan generally doesn't approach the doctor's office until someone has to carry us in on a stretcher. I guess I'll find out what's wrong at the autopsy. :D
Good luck, Laurie. At least you know you aren't the only one.
I'm almost convinced that the shortness of breath comes more from tension in my chest brought on by whatever this muscular/skeletal problem is than from any problem with my lungs. If it were a real lung problem, I think I would become hypoxic when exercising and pass out, whereas an upper body workout has the opposite effect of easing it (at least while I'm working out). I think I feel that twinge behind the sternum, tense up and start breathing strangely.
Curiously, I had considered that the chest discomfort may be an alignment problem. I'm a television cameraman and spend a lot of time with unbalanced weight on my back. I actually started back swimming a few years ago, after a long hiatus, because swimming seems to loosen my back and pull everything back out straight.
Eh, who knows. My clan generally doesn't approach the doctor's office until someone has to carry us in on a stretcher. I guess I'll find out what's wrong at the autopsy. :D
Good luck, Laurie. At least you know you aren't the only one.
