Hi, I'm a 57 year old male swimmer with atrial fibrillation taking rhythmol twice a day. (I'm in sinus rhythm most of the time.) I also do a 2,800 yard workout four times a week and aspire to NQT for the 50 and 100 freestyle.
I can't seem to get straight answers from my cardiologist. He says that it is fine to swim, but deeper questions are beyond him.
For example...
Is it OK to really press myself in my workouts?
(I'm out of breath at the end of some of my sets, but who isn't?)
Should I be thinking of long even swims rather than sprint swims?
(I do mile and two mile open water swims, but they're not very exciting for me.)
I'm fighting for breath sometimes during my sets. Is this just a matter of conditioning, or is there a direct link to the a fib?
I have the low side of normal blood pressure. Is there any relationship between blood pressure and whether people are better constituted to be sprinters vs. distance swimmers?
Any information from M.D.s and/or others who have heart conditions would be appreciated.
See you at nationals!
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Yes, I had both stress tests. One was nuclear and the other a stress echo. I've also had a heart scan. There is little or no evidence of blockage, and no indication of need for a by-pass.
Apparently, the issue is simply that I go into and out of a fib from time to time.
Geochuck: I'm sorry that you lost your friend. From what I understand, coronary blockages are helped greatly with exercise and diet. Stents also work to help clear the blockages. But if the blockage is significant, hard exercise is a very, very bad idea because bits and pieces of the plaque can break off and get stuck in the brain (stroke) or the heart (heart attack). Nobody wants to have an operation as its such an invasive procedure. Of course we prefer to do things "naturally," but sometimes we simply need the operation.
My father died of a heart attack at age 58 (I'm 57). My father, though, ate poorly, was really overweight, never exercised, had a drinking problem and led a stressed life. My proposed path is to eat well, be in good shape, exercise regularly, be a very light drinker and not feel so stressed. The last item is probably my greatest challenge.
Yes, I had both stress tests. One was nuclear and the other a stress echo. I've also had a heart scan. There is little or no evidence of blockage, and no indication of need for a by-pass.
Apparently, the issue is simply that I go into and out of a fib from time to time.
Geochuck: I'm sorry that you lost your friend. From what I understand, coronary blockages are helped greatly with exercise and diet. Stents also work to help clear the blockages. But if the blockage is significant, hard exercise is a very, very bad idea because bits and pieces of the plaque can break off and get stuck in the brain (stroke) or the heart (heart attack). Nobody wants to have an operation as its such an invasive procedure. Of course we prefer to do things "naturally," but sometimes we simply need the operation.
My father died of a heart attack at age 58 (I'm 57). My father, though, ate poorly, was really overweight, never exercised, had a drinking problem and led a stressed life. My proposed path is to eat well, be in good shape, exercise regularly, be a very light drinker and not feel so stressed. The last item is probably my greatest challenge.
