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Post by jr on Oct 16, 2004 13:35:53 GMT 8
HI Guys, Just to share my concern about the finding on my physical check up last Tuesday.
I went to my Doctor for my yearly physical checkup and found something that made me a little concern. After blood drawn for checkup I complaint of pain on my chest and upper back. This usually happen once in while but it goes away, I told him that and it could be heartburn. He recommended heart test using EKG. I told him that I’m very active person. He says” lets make it sure”. After the test, the print result shows abnormal, he says “my left ventricle is to much muscle but not a concern” means the ECG suppose to be equal high and low (base on normal average person) but mine was the upper peak was higher than the lower one. He made appointment for treadmill test and heart test. First they test my heartbeat for many different locations and my heart bulb after that they put me on a treadmill. Now, I will wait 10 days to get the results. I got the result for my blood test today and everything was normal except cholesterol up 10, use to be 135. This could be my new baby taking my time but it’s worth it. Did anyone of you have similar problem? Its kind of frustrating because I need to wait 10 for the results.
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Post by gulliver on Oct 16, 2004 23:41:38 GMT 8
too much muscle somewhere, but higher cholesterol? seems like too many rides....and too much good food after jr ;D anyway, hope the results come back ok
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Post by weekendrider on Oct 17, 2004 4:32:53 GMT 8
Hopefully all is well on your result. Your physically fit, I don't think there will be any problem. But then again sometimes there are some abnormality in the heart since birth, that comes out during adulthood, as we heard from some athletes. Hopefully yours is okay. Doctor better not tell you no more papaet, kilaw, kaldereta and beer then that sucks.
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Post by minotaur on Oct 17, 2004 16:36:49 GMT 8
When your doc said "too much muscle" did he mean your heart's enlarged? ... And did you tell your doc na you go MTB? Pushing your physical self to the limit from time to time? I'm asking this coz these are important factors to consider... especially in cardio or endurance training like MTB or triathletic sports. During strenous excersice your heart pumps faster than normal to deliver oxygen and nutrients to vital tissues in your body(Skeletal muscle, Heart muscle, Brain, Liver, etc...). So in time the heart may enlarge in order to provide aduquate oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body during excercise. Think of it as body building... The heart muscle responds the same way as any muscle groups in the body during exercise, it will undergo hypertrophy- a compensatory response for any given organ(ex. weight lifting for your biceps or crunches for your 6 pack). But this does'nt mean that there's anything wrong with your heart... for one thing it may mean that your heart can adequately compensate for any strenous sport especially those which require endurance. Compute for your peak heart rate, and then maintain it to provide you peak performance without puting too much stress on your heart for a period of time. this takes practice of course. Computation for peak heart rate during excersie: 220 - (age in years) x 0.60 = peak heart rate ex. 220 - 31 years x 0.60 = 113 beats per minute If you can invest in a computer with a heart rate monitor that would be helpful.
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Post by mad_doc on Oct 17, 2004 19:38:13 GMT 8
sir i noticed that you were just asking for similar experiences, i haven't experienced it myself so i'll just try to guess what went through the mind of your doctor why he asked that you go through those tests. pain felt in the chest and upper back can mean a lot of things, but a doctor always has to assume the worst case and then work backwards toward the simpler explanations. the simplest and least complicated to treat is the "heartburn" even if it is just a misnomer, its just gastric acid/contents going back up the esophagus, that is what gives you the sour taste and burps that taste and smell like your last meal. worst case would be called MI/infarcts/heart attacks (albeit small) that would be why he probably had you go through the ECG immediately and the blood chem would also show if you had any recent ones. (easily detectable) but since you mentioned just a cholesterol level being elevated it may mean a different kind of problem called angina. meaning you're working your heart to the point that it is a little starved of oxygen. so a heart monitor is a good idea... even if you have leeway in exercise.. you shouldn't push too hard. the ecg, even though has a simple principle, has quite a complex interpretation. i have 3 books on the subject and is still far from complete. if your left ventricle is too large it is termed as LVH or left ventricular hypertrophy... minotaur is right.. it means that your left side of the heart is too large (working too hard). but this condition can occur if you have problems with your heart valves. that's what he was checking when he listened to your entire chest from the ride side of your chest near the sternum until somewhere close to where your elbow is. weird places to listen eh? lastly the treadmill test tries to simulate how your heart reacts during stress. hence its other name stress test, it looks for irregularities in your heart performance as you start to use it. cholesterol is a big problem for the heart... well actually the blood vessels. it literally clogs them up.. so while you don't seem to have any problems while at rest, things change when you exercise.. faster heart rate, coz your body needs more oxygen, hence more blood. so your doctor could probably say that you have atherosclerosis and require that you reduce your fat intake... but don't worry i don't think that he'll tell you to quit biking... regulate maybe... not do any extremely streneous trails... (you still need the exercise).. but otherwise ;D hope this helps!!
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Post by mad_doc on Oct 17, 2004 19:41:08 GMT 8
and results they got usually have to be reviewed by one of their senior cardiologists... who visits the hospital maybe once a week? so with a time table like that.... you could guess how long it'll take him/her to read all of the strips
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Post by minotaur on Oct 17, 2004 21:21:35 GMT 8
Mad_doc has a very good point. So, until that senior cardiologist comes around better play it safe keep it low for a while.
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Post by minotaur on Oct 17, 2004 21:24:27 GMT 8
I have conquered my mind. Now, I conquer my body. Mad_doc has a very good point. So, until that senior cardiologist comes around better play it safe keep it low for a while.
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Post by jr on Oct 18, 2004 1:20:56 GMT 8
guys, Thanks for the replies. I forget to mentioned that he did test last year with similar complaint but at that time was normal. Actually below 200 choresterol level is normal. He given a medication for heartburn but seems make it little better. He also told me to take a aspirin once a day. My problem is I feel a sharp pain below my left chest and radiat all way to my back when I take a very deep breath. The pain is worst on my back if I press my left chest.
You guys are right I need a heart monitor. Actually I uset to have it and since the battery is no longer works I never get a replacement.
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Post by lucban on Oct 18, 2004 13:35:49 GMT 8
Irreg. heart beat on most cyclist is so common.I've also read about heart valve problem on most endurance athlete which is so hard to diagnose.Remember the founder of Power bar,this guy is a endurance athlete,fit and healthy but died suddenly due heart attact.Try to ask yuor MD re: that heart valve problem (i'm not sure on the exact Dx.)This is one of the most common health problem that we're facing."Death is not worth attacking every hill or chasing every break,but life is not worth never attacking a hill or chasing a break"Ride lots! goodluck
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Post by jr on Oct 20, 2004 7:58:12 GMT 8
Good point....I purchased a new heart rate monitor so I will be able not to go over my limit. I called my Doctor yesterday to find out if I still do my normal activity and he said "yes". My big concern when he says no more bikes .
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Post by minotaur on Oct 20, 2004 11:24:54 GMT 8
Sir, What brand of monitor and how kano kuha nyo? Tanong lang po...
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Post by jr on Oct 20, 2004 12:13:35 GMT 8
Sir, What brand of monitor and how kano kuha nyo? Tanong lang po... I just purchased Polar 725 for $275.00
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Post by warlock^_^ on Oct 20, 2004 12:50:04 GMT 8
oh...sounds like you're not the only one, we have this regular check up whenever we were being assigned overseas. I always fail my ECG test, last yr before going here I failed again said I might have a Sinus arrhythmia... then stress test was conducted ...
result: NORMAL ;D
Oh well, must be caused by the pretty nurses manning the ECG machine ;D
Got myself a POLAR S210 - $165
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Post by lucban on Oct 22, 2004 16:06:18 GMT 8
Sir, What brand of monitor and how kano kuha nyo? Tanong lang po... Polar is the most commonly use HR by cylist.A models start from $40./<$100, M models start from $120. /<200 and the S models start from $210 and up.The problems wiht polar hr are : prints are to small,M and S models are to complicated to use and they dont look good(walang porma/no japorms).I have a Suunto Adviser.It looks good, simple to use/operate and BIG prints(with Alt.,Comp.,Timer,HR-ave,max,min,duration,alarm,recovery time etc.) This HR is around $300 to $320(hard to find).But, just buy the basic model like polar A1.It's cheap,simple and will give you the service you need(basic HR)
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Post by warlock^_^ on Oct 23, 2004 15:14:10 GMT 8
Hmm I have a Vector, the display is about the same size with the Advizor...lets compare it with the Polar S210 Click to view
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Post by lucban on Oct 25, 2004 10:48:34 GMT 8
Hmm I have a Vector, the display is about the same size with the Advizor...lets compare it with the Polar S210 Click to viewSuunto vector and advisor display is better than any Polar model.It's simple to use and very reliable.Advisor is the cheapest Suunto HR Wrist watch.I'm not sure if Vector comes with HR feature.Also, Suunto's warranty and customer service are great.
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Post by jr on Nov 1, 2004 23:27:05 GMT 8
I guess the test is not serious cause I called Friday and the result in not in yet. I assume that if is serious they should call me already. We MTB yesterday for 23 miles in fast pace and everthing is ok. I just maintained 155 to 165 BPM
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Post by jr on Nov 3, 2004 7:55:06 GMT 8
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Post by gulliver on Nov 3, 2004 9:44:07 GMT 8
BRAVO, BRAVO! jr, glad your mind is at ease now hehehe
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Post by weekendrider on Nov 3, 2004 10:23:26 GMT 8
That's good to hear. It means ride continue on days and nights. ;D ;D
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Post by jr on Nov 3, 2004 12:47:08 GMT 8
Gul/Weekendrider.. thanks. have more motivation and just did a spinervals. its going to be more rides to come. ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by minotaur on Nov 4, 2004 22:01:13 GMT 8
I almost forgot about your heart Anyhoo, thats nice to hear.
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Post by mad_doc on Nov 4, 2004 22:20:43 GMT 8
no problem sir ;D see you in one of your many many many rides to come
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