The Heart adapting to cycling

steerpike

I've been cycling seriously for approx 6 months and plan to do the Etape in July. I'm 34 and reasonably fit, though well out of condition, not having done any sustained exercise in the last 10 years or so.

I've noticed a few things about my heart as follows:

1. Heart sometimes going to a high bpm rate very fast when at rest (i.e. when adrenaline kicks in)
2. Heart sometimes at a high bpm even several hours after a ride
2. Occasional twinges in chest, left shoulder (possibly muscular)
3. Occasional palpitations (not during riding and historically I've had these anyway)

My resting heart rate is actually much lower than it used to be which indicates a good level of fitness and I'm sure that the training I'm doing is measured and with good recovery periods factored in. So in all, I'm sure I'm doing my heart more good in the long run (and short) than if I were doing nothing as I was before.

Not using this as an alternative to medical advice but, anyone experience the same symptoms when training from a low starting level of fitness? Would any of the above indicate I should have an ECG and if so, can I get one on the NHS?

Sorry, I don't have precise figures (bpm's) to hand. Any advice appreciated. (I do have a HR monitor - as yet unused!)

Bodhbh

steerpike wrote:

I've been cycling seriously for approx 6 months and plan to do the Etape in July. I'm 34 and reasonably fit, though well out of condition, not having done any sustained exercise in the last 10 years or so.

I've noticed a few things about my heart as follows:

1. Heart sometimes going to a high bpm rate very fast when at rest (i.e. when adrenaline kicks in)
2. Heart sometimes at a high bpm even several hours after a ride
2. Occasional twinges in chest, left shoulder (possibly muscular)
3. Occasional palpitations (not during riding and historically I've had these anyway)

I've had similar issues over the last year (well twinges, chest tightness and the palpitations) with a similar background to yourself (36, cycling a year, have been unfit for most of my 20s/early 30s, although was reasonably fit from swimming/walking when took up cycling).

I've been to the doctor several times, had both resting and active ECGs, and everything is normal. It was never resolved exactly what it was, and I never narrowed it down exactly what caused it. My hunch is something else was causing the twinges (muscular/ulcer) which *seemed* to occur most often when walking or carrying a pack. The palpitations, maybe I had them sometimes anyhow, only became conscious of them after the noticing the twinges/tight feelign. It's a bit of a minefield, you start worrying and driving yourself nuts in the end. I did booze a fair bit touring over the summer, which might have been responsable for the palpitations also, I believe it's even got a name, 'holiday heart'.

danseur

You are right, you shouldn't use an internet forum as an alternative to seeing a doctor.

Go and see your GP who will be far more knowledgeable than non-medically qualified "experts", and most importantly will be able to make a proper assessment including an examination that can't be done other than face to face.

Most doctors are delighted to see a young patient who is trying to keep fit!

danseur

Oops double post.

Damn slow websites.

master_grunthos

I had similar issues about a year ago, but primarily painful palpitations at any time for no reason. The doctor was very concerned especially as it came from nowhere. I had and ECG there and then which showed some abnormal signals which either indicated I had an enlarged heart from exercising a lot or the on set of early heart disease. I had an urgent appointment with a cardiologist which involved another ECG and an ultra sound scan.

The up-shot of these investigations was that I had/have a slightly larger than normal heart probably due to the amount of cycling i was doing then. It's functions are normal, in fact excellent and the fact i was having some "ectopic beats" is of no consequence as I'm otherwise fit and healthy. All rather alarming though, that's why the urgent hospital appointment. It seems to have just disappeared now.

An ECG scan can get odd signals due to all sorts of reasons (so i was told). I had some "large amplitudes" which can be a bad sign but also due to being very thin (i.e. getting a good signal through my small frame) or having a larger than normal heart rather than the thickened walls indicating a problem

If you're generally fit then it's probably nothing, it is however very important to get it checked out. If you go to your doctor i very much doubt they'd hesitate to give you an ECG as they can probably do it there and then. If you say you're getting pains then i think that would probably be prudent don't you think! If it shows anything then they'll take it further and if you get an ultra sound make sure you get a good look at your heart beating live on the screen, it's quite interesting.

Aguila

steerpike wrote:

I've been cycling seriously for approx 6 months and plan to do the Etape in July. I'm 34 and reasonably fit, though well out of condition, not having done any sustained exercise in the last 10 years or so.

I've noticed a few things about my heart as follows:

1. Heart sometimes going to a high bpm rate very fast when at rest (i.e. when adrenaline kicks in)
2. Heart sometimes at a high bpm even several hours after a ride
2. Occasional twinges in chest, left shoulder (possibly muscular)
3. Occasional palpitations (not during riding and historically I've had these anyway)

My resting heart rate is actually much lower than it used to be which indicates a good level of fitness and I'm sure that the training I'm doing is measured and with good recovery periods factored in. So in all, I'm sure I'm doing my heart more good in the long run (and short) than if I were doing nothing as I was before.

Not using this as an alternative to medical advice but, anyone experience the same symptoms when training from a low starting level of fitness? Would any of the above indicate I should have an ECG and if so, can I get one on the NHS?

Sorry, I don't have precise figures (bpm's) to hand. Any advice appreciated. (I do have a HR monitor - as yet unused!)

I'm a hospital consultant and there is no doubt that you need to see your GP. It could well be that these symptoms are all innocent in origin eg muskuloskeletal pain/ectopics. However an underlying cardiac problem need to be excluded to be happy that this is the case.

Dont panic yourself but these symptoms shouldnt be ignored.

steerpike

thanks for all the detailed and useful replies - yeah, agreed the sensible route is to have an ECG and put my mind at rest.

keef66

I can often trigger palpitations just by drinking too much strong coffee. Disturbing but harmless I'm always told.

I'd be curious to know what you mean by high bpm; take your pulse or slap on the HRM and see what it says when you think it's going unusually fast.

Where's this adrenaline coming from? You racing, or do you live in Gaza? Adrenaline is meant to speed up your heart.

My boss used to do a sunday ride with a group of friends from his keep-fit class and one day one of them developed a 200 bpm / tachycardic condition for no apparent reason.

Headhuunter

I've had palpatation/faster heart beat at times in the past. Sometimes for no apparent reason whilst I was watching TV or at work. I haven't had them for a couple of years now. Went to see the GP and he basically said pull yourself together man, it's just common or garden stress, everyon in London has it...

Aguila

Headhuunter wrote:

I've had palpatation/faster heart beat at times in the past. Sometimes for no apparent reason whilst I was watching TV or at work. I haven't had them for a couple of years now. Went to see the GP and he basically said pull yourself together man, it's just common or garden stress, everyon in London has it...

You need to change your GP for one with medical qualifications.

Headhuunter

Aguila wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

I've had palpatation/faster heart beat at times in the past. Sometimes for no apparent reason whilst I was watching TV or at work. I haven't had them for a couple of years now. Went to see the GP and he basically said pull yourself together man, it's just common or garden stress, everyon in London has it...

You need to change your GP for one with medical qualifications.

I have coz I've moved away from that area but to be honest I generally find GPs to be pretty useless. I went to my new one a while back with a stress fracture in my shin from running, I knew what it was, it was obvious and I've got BUPA so just needed a referral to a specialist for checks and advice but he insisted it was something to do with my veins. Eventually got the referral and the specialists laughed at what the GP had said. In my experience most GPs aren't much good for anything other than handing out painkillers.

feel

Aguila wrote:

You need to change your GP for one with medical qualifications.

and get one that can spell as well - "muskuloskeletal" :roll:

BUICK

Anxiety can produce the same symptoms too.