Expert: Marc Rubin, RPh Asthma Educator - 2/18/2008

Question
I’ve started doing cardio and weights 4 months ago. My heart rate increases very fast and very high even so when my exercise is very light. I need to slow down a lot or even to stop so it can decrease. I feel like I don’t have enough breath during my exercise and it feels better if I breathe trough my mouth. Long after I finish, I feel like my body is very upset, sometimes my hands and feet fills numb and don’t have enough breath.      My holter results, ECG, ultrasound and stress test are ok. I have chronic urticaria and I’m taking antihistamine once in two days.    My question is: is it possible that my HR to go up because of my urticaria or is it maybe asthma taking in consideration that my heart tests were ok.

Answer
Hi,

Have you ever been evaluated by an allergist? The fact that you have the chronic urticaria points to a possible underlying allergic condition, and we frequently see patients who have asthma also having psoriasis and other skin problems. This evaluation would be the first step I'd proceed with now.

It is great that you have started working out! Whether or not asthma is involved, it is important to start slowly and build up. Regardless of your age, your body needs to adapt to the new demands put upon it. I'm a cyclist, but after a relatively sedentary winter, I must again begin slow to rebuild what I've lost. My mind says go, and my body says "you've got to be kidding!" Should you indeed have asthma, exercise is excellent, but get yourself a peak flow meter to monitor your lung function. Learning how to use it properly will give you the guidance you need to know when you are pushing your limits, and need to back off. It will also teach you about other things that trigger your asthma...virus, smoke, allergens, etc.

Good luck!

Marc