Please check with your doc

I did.  Not before I started, but when I started trying to use a HRM and realized that my HR seemed really high.  I would pick up into a slow jog and my HR would bust through 180 and stay there (which supposedly translated to 80% or higher of my max).  Given the heart problems in my family, I decided to check it out.  Doc didn't seem worried but did an in office EKG and told me to go have fun.  We both figured it was due to my having never run since early HS (unless about to miss a plane) and I'm now 25.  So that is a lot of years without asking my body to put up even slow jog effort.  I've actually been meaning to go back out with a HRM and see if there has been any change since I've been focusing more on the run.  I stopped using it when I realized all it was going to do was beep at me to slow down - which meant just walking.  I feel better when I'm out there and seem to recover fairly quickly once I stop so, so far so good!

I checked with my PCP before starting due to some oldish injuries that I like to keep an eye on. New PCP for me as well due to my change in insurance at my job. Luckily I was able to get a doc who practices family medicine and has an interest/degree in sports medicine. So he keeps a good eye on me.

Scary ordeal with the heart attack guy. And definately a good reminder to renew my cpr certification.

Thank you for the reminder.  I was due for my physical in September and just didn't get around to scheduling.  I just called up the Dr. for the full shebang--including cardiogram tomorrow AM.

I am sorry about your frightening experience. 

Scary experience for you, and a GREAT reminder for us... Thanks!

I went to my Doc (before I started training) because my cholesterol numbers were strange... he took an EKG, and freaked out because my HR was too low... He sent me to a Cardiologist - who nearly threw me out of his office, said I was fine, and to go out and exercise! Then I started training for my Marathon... My cholesterol numbers are now in normal range

Yeah it is on the list.  Trying to decide which is more worthwhile - LT test or VO2max testing.  Part of my reasoning for dumping it was because I knew I was totally out of shape so while it is probably  useful for that slow progessive get in shape option, I prefer the just go out and blast through that wall kind of pregression.  Kind of like biking up Mt. Lemmon.  I wore it one day for that and I had a max of 99% of my max and an average of 92%.  That was so helpful since I couldn't possibly slow down anymore (< 3mph on the bike kinda causes me to tip over).  Only option I would have is to stop and when you try biking up that thing, the more stopping you do the more tired you get.

One of the other issues I had/have that is probably contributing is my breathing.  I start to do really shallow breathing when I start to get tired on a run (or bike).  I found if I concentrate on long slow breaths, I tend to last for a little longer, and recover quicker.

But didn't he die of something that couldn't really have been detected except for what would have been an onslaught of really expensive out of the ordinary tests? Most docs probably wouldn't go and test for weird congenital defects unless there was a real concern/other symptoms, I'm guessing.