Ectopic Heartbeats And Exercise?

[designerstubble]

Went to docs last week because of palpitations, flutters, missed beats... They occur sometimes everyday at rest or after eating or basically at anytime, ocasionally I don't notice them for a day. Sometimes I notice 10 in an hour.

Sometimes its more than just one ectopic, its 3 or 4 together. Once after a run i had a missed beat of about 3 seconds then a huge skipping for another 4-5 seconds... I put this down to being tired from run, hot and dehydrated. I did feel a bit sick and dizzy, but it had been a hard run!!

 

They did a 7 second ECG that showed a an ectopic heart beat. My doc checked various things (thyroid, renal etc) but now says she is going to refer me to a cardiologist... For a 24 hour ECG test...

 

In the meantime I asked if I could do my usual exercise (I have recently moved mountains to motivate myself to exercise, it's been 2 months and I'm proud of myself I'm doing ok!), but my doc says that it's up to me but advises to wait until I have seen the cardiologist. This will probably mean 2-3 months or more of waiting here in UK. She suggested I walk instead.

 

Gutted, demotivated. Completely pissed off. I'm trying SO hard to well.

 

I want to continue running and doing my taekwondo class (I only do 2 sessions of exercise per week) If I stop now, I know that'll be it.

 

 

 

Anyone suffer from anything similar? Have googled it all, most ectopics seem benign? 

Any info GREATLY appreciated as I think I'm gonna carry on with the running... I feel well otherwise you see (for a celiac!)

many thanks

[Gemini]

I think this condition is called A-Fib in the US and, while I have never had any heart problems, I have a cousin who just underwent surgery to correct long standing A-Fib.  Well...it doesn't really correct it but that's their fix for it in AMA Land.  What I do know is that A-Fib is an associated condition for Celiac's.  I have heard a few of these people say their A-Fib went away on the gluten-free diet, after a time.  I don't know how long you have been gluten-free but there is a good chance it will self correct.  I think you will have to see the heart guy anyway but I wouldn't be overly worried about it before you do go to the doctor.  My cousin, I strongly suspect, has celiac but she STILL is not convinced she has it.  A-Fib, IBS, thyroid problems......and she still isn't convinced.  I have no idea if she has been tested because they dance around any questions I may ask so I don't bother anymore. 

 

If you have this problem after running, I would walk for awhile and see what happens after you see the heart guy.  If you feel good after running, keep on running!     That's what I would do anyway.....I do not give up my exercise without a damn good reason!

[designerstubble]

Thanks so much for your response! This exactly how I feel about my running and exercise. I haven't really had this problem after running except once, when in the shower I felt like my heart didn't beat for about 3 seconds, then it went crazy for a few seconds... I felt a bit dizzy & lightheaded and it did make feel queazy and odd... but it had been a hard run (in the morning sun), and I know I was dehydrated (no fluid since the night before)... I went straight out of bed! So I'm not surprised it happened if you catch my drift?! I've been running since that (before docs appt) and been fine, generally I'm bouncing afterwards (give me 10 mins recovery!)... I have my taekwondo class tonight which is tough, but I'm going to go...

Thanks Gemini really appreciated. I'm so annoyed!... It's hard recovering and trying to get better (gluten-free for 7-8 months), and my exercise and running have kept me sane these last 2/3 months... Thank yoooooou

[CeliacInSenegal]

Hey designerstubble, sorry to hear it. That must be scary, though as you say, it seems most uneven heartbeats are benign. Your post reminded me that I also experienced some irregular heartbeats in the last year or so, but only while exercising. I wonder now if they could have been related to Celiac, particularly before I was diagnosed. I went to see a doc at the time (you know, since I was afraid I was going to drop dead in the middle of class) and he suggested it was just dehydration, which seemed plausible given the excessively hot and humid climate I work out it (though I hadn't had the arrhythmia in the previous years doing the same). In any case, the doc didn't think it was anything to worry about. That's very interesting if Celiac can cause palpitations or uneven heartbeats. Good luck with getting some answers.

[designerstubble]

Hey designerstubble, sorry to hear it. That must be scary, though as you say, it seems most uneven heartbeats are benign. Your post reminded me that I also experienced some irregular heartbeats in the last year or so, but only while exercising. I wonder now if they could have been related to Celiac, particularly before I was diagnosed. I went to see a doc at the time (you know, since I was afraid I was going to drop dead in the middle of class) and he suggested it was just dehydration, which seemed plausible given the excessively hot and humid climate I work out it (though I hadn't had the arrhythmia in the previous years doing the same). In any case, the doc didn't think it was anything to worry about. That's very interesting if Celiac can cause palpitations or uneven heartbeats. Good luck with getting some answers.

Thats interesing... My cardiologist thinks its not related to celiac but I wonder how so many years of malabsoption cannot affect other parts of the body?? we all know that celiac disease messes with hormones... heart rhythms are also affected by thyroid and adrenal so... my guess is that its all connected... Mainstream consultants are just NOT interested!! Anyway, I had an exercise stress test which showed premature ventricular beats and premature atrial beats, apparently nothing to worry about as they were not present during my maximum heart rate. They are still asking me to wear a holter device for 7 days because of my 'waking up' with racing heart episodes...But i am still exercising and learning to put up with it. Its horrible though! Fingers crossed for the tests though hey?!!!

[CeliacInSenegal]

Good luck with the tests. Hopefully it won't turn out to be anything serious. This may not be connected to your Celiac, but I think you're right that we (docs included) don't yet understand all the ways Celiac can affect other body systems and be linked to seemingly unrelated problems. Maybe the increase in Celiac and diagnoses will help improve our global understanding of it.

[designerstubble]

Just posting an update for info purposes

Wore a holter device for 7 days. Showed ectopic multi form ventriculars, and couplets. Apparently nothing to get too excited about. I have been assured that it is not celiac related (I am sure that there is little research on the matter therefore do not hold much credence to that opinion!)... And I have been told that I require no further investigation at this time unless racing heart appears again. Moral of the story. Go to ER and get diagnosed at the time of episode!!! Even if you don't think it's important enough, or feel silly. Saves an awful lot of aggravation!!

[cyclinglady]

Thanks for the update.  How are you feeling, though?  

[designerstubble]

I feel ok mostly. I have days of 'heart awareness' and days when I forget completely. Hopefully it will just be a phase? I seem to have gone through SO many things after diagnosis that have been a phase! Sometimes I wonder if I'm losing the plot!!! 8-)