Atrial fibrillation

[twogun]

age: 43
weight: 260

Spent a week at the beach. Drank plenty vodka. Not much else. Got really hot and out of breath loading the car. Ended up in the ER with a resting heart rate of 175. Only time it ever happened.

That was 10 days ago. Family practice doc says no heavy exercise. Cardiologist says light exercise is ok but nothing that sends my heart rate above 140.

I'm sure a heavy set of deadlifts sends my heart rate above 140.

Any experience or advice?

Thanks

[Mark Rippetoe]

Cardiologist says light exercise is ok but nothing that sends my heart rate above 140.

Forever? Why? Were you actually in A-fib? Is your EKG normal now?

Sully?

[tdood]

Do you have malpractice insurance, Dr. Rippetoe?

[Carlos Daniel]

This sounds strange, you don't get atrial fibrillation for no good reason.

Sully (2)?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Do you have malpractice insurance, Dr. Rippetoe?

Have I made a cardiac pathology recommendation, t? I am quite aware of my role here and my limitations.

[ColoWayno]

Have I made a cardiac pathology recommendation, t? I am quite aware of my role here and my limitations.

All I saw was four really good questions.

[Jonathon Sullivan]

Forever? Why? Were you actually in A-fib? Is your EKG normal now?

Sully?

My first thought is that it sounds like a classic case of "holiday heart," but without an EKG and lab data (not to mention the patient) in front of me I just can't say much that's meaningful. Could have been a run of supraventricular tachycardia, or fucking v-tach for all I know. My questions would be:

1. Was the diagnosis really Afib?
2. Did you convert to sinus rhythm spontaneously, or did they convert you? If so, how? Are you, in fact, in sinus (regular) rhythm now?
3. Did you receive medication to control your heart rate (cardizem is frequently used)? Are you still on it?
4. Did you have lab abnormalities? (Particularly magnesium, troponin, potassium, calcium?)
5. Did your cardiologist refer you to an EP specialist?
6. Did he/she do a followup EKG? WHat did it show?

There's a lot of information needed to make intelligent decisions--and it's your job to collect it before you decide. It's their job to make sure that information is relevant and complete and available to you. My immediate advice would be follow doctor's orders for now, until you can pimp your cardiologist for exactly what it was, and exactly what needs to happen to get you back to your life. Eat right and stay away from alcohol for now.

[RyanH]

Were you drinking when it actually happened? Alcohol can put people into atrial fibrillation. I've seen it happen to teenagers.

Did you have a followup EKG/Holter monitor to see if you are back in normal sinus rhythm or if you are going back into A. Fib. (paroxysmal)?

Were you put on any antiarrhythmic medications?

[tdood]

Have I made a cardiac pathology recommendation, t? I am quite aware of my role here and my limitations.

You did not. I know you know what you are doing coach. I read your q&a almost daily. I wasn't trying to sass ya. Just making jokes. Didn't come across how I had thought it would.

[wal]

Listen twogun alcohol is a diuretic, it purges your body of water, if you become dehydrated your heart has to work harder to pump the blood around your body. Vodka is strong drink worse than beer. I just do not understand why you would want to take on weight training and consume alcohol. If you want to excel in any sport including weight training then take my advice stay away from the bloody alcohol.