Road Cycling - Heart Palpatations

I have been experiencing wierd heart palpatations during some of my rides. I have been riding all year and am in pretty good shape. It usually happens after climbing a hill. I own a heart monitor and I find I usually climb at about 160. Lately I have cut down on the caffiene and have tried to keep spinning after a climb (to slowly get back to my cruising rate of around 140. Anyone ever experience this? I had an EMT do a quick EKG and he said my heart "looked" fine. (I work with the guys, they didn't pick me up at the side of the road). Thanks.:love:

:eek: Please have this check out by a doctor,you should not fool around with this.

Yes - see a doctor.

However, I am 61, and recently had a sports physical exam. I also have palpitations, but not under load. And my caffeine intake is too great most of the time.

While the caffeine definitely contributes (Yes - proven by scientific study. You know who you are.), it seems that many people in my state experience them. Somehow it seems that the resting heart is more prone to them than the working heart. Seems a little counterintuitive, but there it is.

It is still a little worrying, but at least it has been defined by someone who knows better than I.

Cheers...Gary

Strange how many folks think that internet forums are a good place for medical advice?

Would you go to the MD forums and ask them about fixing a bottom bracket?

I don't think so!!

Get thee to a doctor. Probably nothing to worry about, but won't you be relieved to know that for sure?

Thanks for the responses. I didn't expect to get a diagnosis online, I just was interested if anyone else experienced this occasional fluttering. I will make an appt. and have it checked out. I am thinking it is probably a combination of age and caffiene intolerance. Bummer. Of course it could be worse. Big Bummer.

I used to get this a bit and so I cut way back on strong coffee. No problem since.

I used to drink several cups of brewed coffee a day. Now I have a couple once or twice a week and even drink less instant. It did the trick.

Of course there's no way for me to tell if this is your problem but until you get it checked try dumping the coffee altogether and see what happens.

Mark G

You may need a cardiac stress test "performed by a cardiologist" to let him,her see what is realy going on with your heart. This will mimick the same conditions that you get on the road rides.

My wife is a RN whos job is in cardiovascular ICU, that's the first place you wake up after open heart surgery, I wouldn't want you to meet her there!!!;)

I used to drink several cups of brewed coffee a day.

Hmmm ... perhaps that is my problem. I have about a cup an hour (Dutch coffee) for six hours or so a day, and about three to four Pepsi's at various times. Throw in the odd cup of English breakfast tea as well.

I thought cutting back to that little was going to help. :)

Cheers...Gary

Avoid cocaine and crystal-methamphetemines, they can cause heart palpatations too.

it can be a serious heart condition, a pulled muscle in the chest, anxiety, dehydration, >VO2 max, etc.

i only have them when i see a Seven Ti axiom or Colnago C-40

I agree, don't f*** with your heart. Gt to a doctor and get it checked out. I would, since heart disease is common in my family. But I don't think anything is wrong with asking other people online or seeing if anyone has had the same problem, it can be a source of support and info. Just don't use it to diagnose yourself. Everyone is different!

Ive recently gotten palpitations myself for the first time in my life. I also had some mild panic attacks. I went to the doctor and was told it was anxiety (as I had thought it may be). This could be an issue with you as anxiety is sometimes subconscious and shows itself through (sometimes severe) physical symptoms.

The only thing that is worrisome is that you get them after pushing yourself hard physically.....this leans more to the cardiac 'problems' end....Definitely see a doctor about this. Also, EKGs dont show much other than whether or not your heart is beating regularly. If I were you, Id follow up with a visit to a Cardiologist who can give you a proper stress test to determine if its heart related or something far more mild. Not trying to diagnose you, just that Ive had some similar symptoms and my dad just had Open heart surgery after a heart attack last month. Good Luck.

Originally posted by cane
Avoid cocaine and crystal-methamphetemines, they can cause heart palpatations too.

That leaves halucinagens, opiates, tobacco, and alcohol. Shouldn't be a problem if you can ignore addiction, cancer, and all those friggin bats!

judging by the amount of lurkers to this thread - many people either have had palp's or thought they had some.