abnormal ekg in stress test - Triathlon Week

08-23-2004, 07:09 PM

I'm a marathoner and 1/2 Ironman triathlete and I have recently had some
problems with my breathing. Diagnosed as exercise induced asthma. Also had
an exercise stress test and pcp told me that my tolerance to exercise was
great but my EKG was, in a word, crappy. Scheduled to see a heart specialist
as a result. I've been told by a number of educated friends that an abnormal
stress test is fairly common for people that are fit. Looking for more
information to at least help put my mind at ease prior to heading to the
heart docs. Anyone else out there that's been tested with similar results?
Thanks,
Steve

08-23-2004, 07:09 PM

Steve Shattuck wrote:
> I'm a marathoner and 1/2 Ironman triathlete and I have recently had some
> problems with my breathing. Diagnosed as exercise induced asthma. Also had
> an exercise stress test and pcp told me that my tolerance to exercise was
> great but my EKG was, in a word, crappy. Scheduled to see a heart specialist
> as a result. I've been told by a number of educated friends that an abnormal
> stress test is fairly common for people that are fit. Looking for more
> information to at least help put my mind at ease prior to heading to the
> heart docs. Anyone else out there that's been tested with similar results?
> Thanks,
> Steve
>
>
DO NOT TAKE THE "Crappy" DIAGNOSIS LIGHTY. Many of us feel great work
out and acheive wonderful PR's etc only to find out through heredity or
some reason we are walking time bombs.

Until the doctor tells you you have a problem, you don't. Fit people
have significantly better success at working on other health issues if
they exist than unfit people. So you are ahead of the game already.

I had chest pains neck pains and ended up in NYC Beekman General a few
years ago with ALL the signs of a heart attack. Turned out to be a
stomache med in the end.

I was horribly out of shape, fat, lethargic and my EKG was wonderful.
Doesn't tell me much and now that I have turned it all around, I am
still going for another test in a few months, just to be sure.

08-23-2004, 07:09 PM

Hi Steve,

Just curious,

Do you do a lot of winter aerobic sports? It seems like a lot of the cross
country skiers around here in Northern Michigan develop exercise induced
asthma.

I have occasional atrial fibrillation. When I'm in it, I can't do much,
when I'm not in it, I can do everything without restraint. If I were you
I'd get a better description of your heart arrhythmia than "crappy." There
are all kinds of things that can cause an abnormal EKG and many of them are
fairly common. It can be disconcerting to be told there is something wrong
with your heart. I know that when the doctor diagnosed my arrhythmia, I was
quite concerned. But as it turns out, after a battery of tests, my heart is
in great shape except for an annoying occasional electrical problem.

I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. I would take it fairly easy until
you have a more thorough exam.

good luck,
Bob

"Steve Shattuck" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:%unRc.270$Iv.30@trndny03...
> I'm a marathoner and 1/2 Ironman triathlete and I have recently had some
> problems with my breathing. Diagnosed as exercise induced asthma. Also had
> an exercise stress test and pcp told me that my tolerance to exercise was
> great but my EKG was, in a word, crappy. Scheduled to see a heart
specialist
> as a result. I've been told by a number of educated friends that an
abnormal
> stress test is fairly common for people that are fit. Looking for more
> information to at least help put my mind at ease prior to heading to the
> heart docs. Anyone else out there that's been tested with similar results?
> Thanks,
> Steve
>
>