Resolved question:
I am currently being investigated for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy following an ECG. I had this test following an older (12 years) siblings fatal heart attack recently plus generalised chest pain myself (which predates his heart attack).
I am in the UK, male, 46, 5'11, 170lbs and a life long road cyclist. I am currently returning to fitness (last 6 months) after a few years taking it easy.
My BP is 110/70. 145/110 a few years ago. Cholesterol is 4.9 (UK units) 6.4 a few years ago.
I am now wearing an R-test monitor although I would assume echocardiogram is the way forward.
I have general chest pain/tightness plus a mid/left-sternum pain (like a knuckle being pressed). At night in bed, my hands will "fall asleep" and I feel like I'm about to faint. I was getting palpitations and night sweats but these seem to have stopped.
These symptoms normally begin the night following a training session and will last a few days. I frequently train again before they have subsided.
I am known for having Health Anxiety. And I know this is probably Athlete's Heart Syndrome except that is usually symptom-less.
Should I stop training? My average ride is around 40 hilly miles. I don't want to stop as it affects my mental well being. And I want any future echo-cardiogram to give valid results.
Regards
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Cardiologist
Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
You have a family history of heart disease related deaths. Though you were an athelete previously and your previous evaluation was normal it was a long time ago. Your symptoms now are not typically of a coronary artery disease. Yet the description that it follows heavy exertion and associated woth sweating warrants a treadmill test to rule out coronary artery disease.
A 2D Echocardiogram would also be helpful.
Regards
Dr Vivek Mahajan
DM Cardiology
My initial diagnosis is LVH. And I am now being fully investigated.
My question is, do I need to stop training while the investigation continues? This could take many weeks as resources are limited in my region.
Or can I continue to train?
My GP thinks I am okay to train. But he is not a Cardiologist. If I have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy that looks like Athletes Heart Syndrome, am I putting myself at risk by cycling?
Thanks
Hello,
If you are worried about you having hypertrophic cardiomyopathy then that rosk is low. This is because you have already undergine evaluation in early 20s and probably that included a 2d echo. If after 20 yrs the echo doesn't show hypertrophic cardiomyopathy then the likelihood of it appearing layer is unlikely. Concentric LVH is another entity which is related usually to high blood pressure and not specifically related to exercise related deaths. What we are more worried about is coronary artery disease related angina and palpitations. Do you have those palpitations and chest pain during exercise? If yes then you need a stress test before training. If you dont have any symptoms during exercise then less likely that those symptoms are due to coronary artery disease. You still may require a stress test but in absence of symptoms on exertion you could continue training.
Regards
Dr Vivek Mahajan
Hi.
I am not aware of any pain or problems while riding or immediately afterwards. The pain/discomfort appears many hours later. Usually later at night. I feel very healthy/strong while riding.
Thanks
Hello,
That's a good sign that you feel healthy while riding.
I will still advise a treadmill and you can share the results once you get them done.
Regards,
Dr. Vivek Mahajan
Thankyou.