I'm seriously bummed. I'm 56 yrs. old, a former USCF cat 2 rider. I have developed atrial fibrillation (an abnormal, arrythmic heart beat). The cause of this is unknown, but when it occurs, the heart functions at about 70% of normal capacity. It amounts to an electrical disturbance within the heart. There is (according to my Doc) no serious threat with this & he said I could ride all I want. Trouble is, it seems to be exercised induced. Last time I rode , the firat 10 mi., I did fine, felt ok. Then went into arrythmia & rode homw averaging 15 mph.

Anybody out there (masters, vets, or other) got any suggestions, knowledge, etc?? Any responses would be most welcome.

Thanks,
Q

Sorry to hear that Q, I just went to the doc today for a plumanary (sp?) test, a chest x-ray, and a CAT scan, i have pectus excavatum (my brest bone is sunken in about 1.5") and will have surgery later this summer, sad thing is i cant ride my mtn bikes for 2 years...

I can still ride my road bike, as long as i dont crash, so that will limit how hard i push myself, and what i do on my bike... for 2 years atleast.

Good luck with your riding, i hope everything works out ok.

Anyone else have any comments for Q?

My grandmother was also diagnosed with atrial fibrillation a year or so ago. Hers is also exercised enduced and leaves her feeling exhausted after an attack. She's been working with her doctor closely the last few months to modify the other medications that she's on with a lot of success. Most significantly, they've given her a blood thinner and reduced the amount of blood pressure medication she was on. Since doing that, she hasn't had an attack even with fairly strenuous exercise. I don't know if this applies at all to your situation, but I thought I'd pass it along.

Amanda

I know that this is an old thread, but I wanted to add to it. I had A-fib for about 6-7 years. Before that I was a cat II roadie and did trail running too. The A-fib was diagnosed about 9 years after I quit racing. As time went by the frequency of occurrence increased to the point were it was affecting even my work. Finally, I found a doc (covered by my insurance) in the Denver area that was able to perform radio frequency ablation on my ticker. 3 days in the hospital and a few days recovering at home (my groin was very sore from the catheters-one in each femoral vein and one in the jugular) and I was back as new. It has been a year and a half and now I am riding my road bike as if there was never any problem. Before, I found that staying hydrated and keeping away from alcohol really decreased the chances of going into A-fib.

Who was the Doc?

Dr. Charles E Fuenzalida

Aurora Denver Cardiology
Suite 40
1421 South Potomac Street
Aurora , CO 80012
Telephone: 303-750-0822

Thanks.

Keep in mind if I ever have that problem.