AboutDavid Richardson Expertise Adult heart function and disease. Not very good about children lesss than 12. Hypertension is o.k. Heart rhythm a special interest.
Experience Certified in cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Was chairman of division of cardiology at the Medical College of Virginia. Am now mostly retired.
Organizations Fellow of American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology and member of American Physiological Society..
Publications Circulation, American Heart Journal, Hypertension.
Education/Credentials M.D. from Harvard Medical School. Residency training at Yale Uhniversity School of Medicine and Medical College of Virginia.
Awards and Honors Gold Heartt Award from American Heart Association in 1995.
Question I am a 36 yr. fit,healthy female who is 5'4", weigh 140 with normal blood pressure and have been exercising regularly for 2 yrs(3-6x/wk). I do not take any medications but did experience one episode of tachycardia 6 to 9 mos ago on a run that exceeded 220bpm. I did not do the stress test my doctor suggested due to the high copay and this has never happened again.I enjoy running but often have to stop because my heart rate nears and sometimes passes 200. This is predictable in hot weather but lately I've been running in cool weather (65-70 deg.) and I'm hitting the 190's. I am not speedy, so I don't feel like I'm pushing too hard. I would like to train for another mini marathon but am beginning to wonder if this is a good idea. My heart rate has been high compared to my peers (we use a HR monitor) for some time but I do feel it has become more problematic as I feel like I am working awful hard to maintain any pace. It elevates with other cardio activity also but not as significant as running. Should I be concerned? I did struggle with bulimia for several years as a young adult and wonder if its possible to have damaged my heart this way? Do you think I should be concerned?
Answer Dear Dana,
Bulimia won't damage the heart.
I think you need not be concerned, tho having to work awful hard and your heart rate being higher than your peers' is a little concerning. A stress test won't help. Neither will an echocardiogram; your excellent exercise ability proves your heart's structure and function are good. I'd keep at the exercise and train for the mini marathon.
Please write back if this note doesn't answer all your questions.
