Anyone else have any sort of heart related issues or problems?? (Page 2)

Rick,
sorry to hear you are going thru this.  You did describe beta blockade better than most when you mentioned "rev limiter."  That is exactly what true beta blockade is doing.  It causes a decreased heart rate and in return you get a decreased HR response to exercise/stress.  The athletes that come to my office that are truly beta blocked are "always bonking."  If it is a condition that can be treated with an ablation, I would seriously consider it.  Obviously more invasive than oral medication, but it is not surgery.  I have a number of athletes in my practice that are post ablation, and I have cleared them to return to all activity/exercise without restrictions.

At first he thought it was AVNRT but as soon as the event monitor came back and the ECG he knew it was A-Fib.  And since there is a family history of it, it just reinforced the diagnosis.

What I have found is that if I take the medication before working out it really kicks my azz (compared to my normal abilities pre-medication).  So I try to do workouts early and then take the medication when I'm done.

This morning I had a pretty solid run and not much off of my "old" paces, so I felt better.  This weekend will be the real test with my first race in a few months to test my limits.  Definitely not taking the meds until AFTER the race!!

I'd like ablation but as I mentioned before, the wife wants nothing to do with surgery.  I'm going to talk with my cardio. about it more though.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and well wishes.  Always good to hear other's perspectives!

I'm really sorry to read this today. I don't know anything or have anything of value to add. I just wish you good luck at dealing with this obstacle.

Rick,  I considered the ablation a 'procedure' more than a surgery.  There are still the risks from anasthesia but it was really simple compared to actually opening you up.  The only really big paid in the bum was lying on your back for some odd hours after, especially if you have to go to the bathroom :-(

Sorry to hear your pain, but you'll find a way to get your kicks one way or another.

My confession is a bicuspid valve in my heart that lets the blood in.  Usually people have three flaps, I only have two.  I've noticed that when I'm putting in an all out effort for a period of time I get a few tingles in my leg or light headed.  When I told the doctor about this, he told me not to take it to that point so I could delay a valve replacement or any other nasty effects.  I used to be fanatical about time and place, now I'm more interested in the training (How prepared am I for this one?). 

You may remember Torbjorn Sindballe who took third at Kona in 2007.  He just retired from competition from the same condition.

Rick I know this is not what you want to hear, but your Z3 is faster than most of our Z2... so it's not like you'll get dropped or anything

Best of luck as you explore your options (and negotiate with SWMBO).  No need to worry about Ragner Performance - as long as you finish your legs and give fellow racers a few yippiekayyaymutherf*ckers that race will be a success.

bummer. I'm glad you went to the cardiologist though, so importantI have an electrical abnormality that was started by a virus two years ago. I never got a good answer from the doc on what I could and couldn't do. all they could determine at the time is that I wasn't going into a-fib. I went to an MD at the mayo clinic to get a second opinion. You can get an EP (electrophysiological) study and there are cardiologists who specialize just in the electrical part. I would definitely look into that and see if you are a candidate for an ablation. As it turned out I didn't have to do either beta blockers or an ablation as of yet since its not creating a dangerous rhythm. but a good friend of mine had 2 ablations for a similar condition (she had wolf parkinsons white) and she runs marathons and is an incredible athlete. Don't give up hope, there may be other avenues than permanent use of beta blockers.hang in there, your kids and family are the most important....