So just recently at my physical yesterday, my female doctor said she discovered a heart murmur and wants me to get an EKG. Could this be athlete's heart? I haven't done such strenuous running (just lifting and sprinting these days) but a year or two ago I did 50-60mpw and got my resting heart rate down to 46. Ever since then my resting heart rate has been around 50 no matter how fit I am. She asked what sport I played and I said soccer.
Athlete's heart does not cause a heart murmur. It's a simple enlargement of the heart. I have it myself - they sent me for an echocardiogram after an EKG shpowed a huge QRS complex. I was fine, as you will be. Heart murmurs themselves are an umbrella term ofr an unusual heart sound - kind of like 'shin splints' for any sort of calf pain. There's a lot going on in the heart to put it mildly, so 'unusual' heart sound could be anything, almost all of them benign. It's odd how messed-up the heart can be and still function perfectly.
She's being thorough, and good for her.
Oh okay that seems kind of relieving. It sucks since I have to have 18 more days to get tested...
You'll be fine. Anything to do with the heart evokes this kind of primordial awe - if it fails, we're screwed. Like, immediately.
But thing is, your heart is beating right now, quite fine. It was beating yesterday, quite fine. A week ago - doing its thing. 18 days from now it'll still be beating along as you get hooked up to machines to see if there's anything extra they should suggest you do so you die at 80 instead of 75.
I truly understand your concern, like there might be a timebomb in your chest. They're just screening for things they *might* be able to head off many years in the future.
Your heart is so well-designed and resilient, it's ridiculous.
KindaNervous wrote:
So just recently at my physical yesterday, my female doctor said she discovered a heart murmur and wants me to get an EKG. Could this be athlete's heart? I haven't done such strenuous running (just lifting and sprinting these days) but a year or two ago I did 50-60mpw and got my resting heart rate down to 46. Ever since then my resting heart rate has been around 50 no matter how fit I am. She asked what sport I played and I said soccer.
That finding does not necessarily mean there is something you ought to be concerned about. I was diagnosed with a heart murmur about 32 years ago. They said it was not a problem since I was a runner. I've run and raced from 200m to the marathon over the years. And I also have a low RHR...41. If you are an athlete there's probably nothing to be concerned about?
They're screening for dangerous things to do to you to make more money for themselves. That such things could kill you means nothing to them, and there is nothing they can do to help you to live longer.
stay away from danger -- wrote:
They're screening for dangerous things to do to you to make more money for themselves. That such things could kill you means nothing to them, and there is nothing they can do to help you to live longer.
The tests are non-invasive. The tests save lives.
You think the tests are unnecessary and undertaken puely to make money.
I put it to you that your views are absolutely absurd.
An EKG is not a big deal, takes about 20 minutes give or take and certainly is not painful.
The test will tell what condition causes the heart murmur. It could be a physical problem such as a valve issue, or an electrical problem.
Once you know what is causing the problem, your doctor can tell you treatment options.
I have an electrical heart problem. My doctor told me it was not advanced enough to need treatment (such as a pacemaker.)
My nutritionist suggested 1 - 2 grams of Taurine (amino acid supplement) per day. I run about 30 miles per week with very little instance of irregular beat since beginning with Taurine.
Good luck.
kutdsrht wrote:
The tests are non-invasive. The tests save lives.
That's like saying loud noises are not invasive, don't hurt your ears, and save lives.
Heart stuff wrote:
An EKG is not a big deal, takes about 20 minutes give or take and certainly is not painful.
The test will tell what condition causes the heart murmur. It could be a physical problem such as a valve issue, or an electrical problem.
Once you know what is causing the problem, your doctor can tell you treatment options.
I have an electrical heart problem. My doctor told me it was not advanced enough to need treatment (such as a pacemaker.)
My nutritionist suggested 1 - 2 grams of Taurine (amino acid supplement) per day. I run about 30 miles per week with very little instance of irregular beat since beginning with Taurine.
Good luck.
This sounds interesting, taurine. I've had episodes of irregular heartbeat for about 10 years now. Finally getting it checked out later this week. Haven't worried too much about it up to this point. I figured if it was serious I'd be dead by now but dont like the feeling and when it starts it can last up to 24 hours and my heart rate gets very low like under 40 bpm. Normally it's 50-60 bpm when regular.
My question is what form do you take and where do you buy it? Also in reading up on it it seems to lower bp. Mine is low already and dont think I want it too low. Has it had any effect on your bp? Any side effects? How are other parts of your body functioning while using it? It sounds like it helps many things, heart, eyes, muscles, etc. Also curious how old you are and any other info you have to provide.
I know there's a lot of questions there but anything you can add would be helpful. I think I'll go to GNC today and get some. I'm just getting over another 24 hour episode of irregular hb as I'm typing this. I'm in my mid 50s, run about 40-45 mpw and have been running for over 20 years. It seemed to start when I started doing somewhat high mileage and marathoning about 10 years ago. I've thought msg was causing it, then low potasium but even with a strick diet I still seem to go irregular every 2-3 weeks with some short flutters in between that time.
Like I said I have an appointment Friday with a heart doc and will likely get an EKG and echocardiogram and finally find out what's going on. In the meantime I'll try the taurine.
Thanks for the tip and any other additional info your kind heart my provide.
Ooops wrote:
Heart stuff wrote:An EKG is not a big deal, takes about 20 minutes give or take and certainly is not painful.
The test will tell what condition causes the heart murmur. It could be a physical problem such as a valve issue, or an electrical problem.
Once you know what is causing the problem, your doctor can tell you treatment options.
I have an electrical heart problem. My doctor told me it was not advanced enough to need treatment (such as a pacemaker.)
My nutritionist suggested 1 - 2 grams of Taurine (amino acid supplement) per day. I run about 30 miles per week with very little instance of irregular beat since beginning with Taurine.
Good luck.
This sounds interesting, taurine. I've had episodes of irregular heartbeat for about 10 years now. Finally getting it checked out later this week. Haven't worried too much about it up to this point. I figured if it was serious I'd be dead by now but dont like the feeling and when it starts it can last up to 24 hours and my heart rate gets very low like under 40 bpm. Normally it's 50-60 bpm when regular.
My question is what form do you take and where do you buy it? Also in reading up on it it seems to lower bp. Mine is low already and dont think I want it too low. Has it had any effect on your bp? Any side effects? How are other parts of your body functioning while using it? It sounds like it helps many things, heart, eyes, muscles, etc. Also curious how old you are and any other info you have to provide.
I know there's a lot of questions there but anything you can add would be helpful. I think I'll go to GNC today and get some. I'm just getting over another 24 hour episode of irregular hb as I'm typing this. I'm in my mid 50s, run about 40-45 mpw and have been running for over 20 years. It seemed to start when I started doing somewhat high mileage and marathoning about 10 years ago. I've thought msg was causing it, then low potasium but even with a strick diet I still seem to go irregular every 2-3 weeks with some short flutters in between that time.
Like I said I have an appointment Friday with a heart doc and will likely get an EKG and echocardiogram and finally find out what's going on. In the meantime I'll try the taurine.
Thanks for the tip and any other additional info your kind heart my provide.
Just wait until your doctor appointment before taking the taurine. There are so many different "electrical heart problems" that require very different treatments. Just because taurine is a non-prescription supplement doesn't mean that it's safe. And from what you are describing I don't think it's what you need.
To the OP, why is it at all relevant that your doc is a female? But there are also many different murmurs and some are totally harmless so don't worry yet. Are you sure you are going back for an EKG and not an echo, though?
Lastly, nobody is making money off EKGs, lol.
You are stupid wrote:
kutdsrht wrote:The tests are non-invasive. The tests save lives.
That's like saying loud noises are not invasive, don't hurt your ears, and save lives.
Um, no. It's not even a little bit like that.
I'm gonna guess you're not a med student.
Wait wrote:
Just wait until your doctor appointment before taking the taurine. There are so many different "electrical heart problems" that require very different treatments. Just because taurine is a non-prescription supplement doesn't mean that it's safe. And from what you are describing I don't think it's what you need.
Do you happen to be in the medical field? Just wondering because you sound pretty sure about what you're saying. Or do you have a similar issue, ie irregular heartbeat?
Which leads me to; from what I described what do you think I need in your opinion? My guess is you'll say a pacemaker, Which is what I'm guessing the docs will tell me too. I definitely hope I dont need one but will cross that bridge when I get to it.
Plan on getting the taurine today. I hear what you're saying but fron what I've read on it there seems to be no loud alarms about it. What's the worse that can happen? We all have to go sometime you now. And after it happens we wont know or care about what age or what we could have done differently. The beauty of death.
To the op; sorry for intruding with my questions. It's good though because the more info, the better for all of us. Good luck on your issue.
kutdsrht wrote:
Um, no. It's not even a little bit like that.
I'm gonna guess you're not a med student.
No, I'm a healthy person who cares about people.