Monday, October 12, 2026

Update: New Doctor, Training and Resources - Part 8 of Series on my Heart/Health


When I last posted  at the end of August I was waiting on a response from my cardiologist with regards to my Halter data and such.  In the time from sending in my halter I had a few minor AFIB events show up much as the one I had for 24 hours – slow HR so not all that noticeable but for sure felt if went up-stairs.  The main thing was these were not accelerated HR events as with the rides and row that actually got me on the AFib road.  My halter did not show any AFIB events but being only 3 days, it did include one workout where HR went to 150, and my events being paroxysmal (not consistent) lead to the possibility of not showing over 3 days.  But with the past data on events and the few slow AFIB events, more on this in a moment, along with my heart scan not showing any issues my cardiologist is moving over to an electrophysiologist who deal with electrical issues.  However ,as with most things medical things do not move quickly and as my issue is not severe I do not see the new doctor till October 28th.  Thus this will start a new part of this journey.
 
One thing I did learn from the three days with the halter is that my low heart rate is lower than I had thought.  While I had seen my HR at 45 during the day when working I saw that when I sleep it goes down to as low 35, at least during the 3 days.  Since then I have used my Frontier HRM and seen the same thing.  This seems to also align with the issues I have seen with getting up from sitting and getting light headed and that it may not simply be the idea that it is standing up too quickly but may be an issue that heart is not catching up soon enough and AFib can appear to play a part in this.  Thus, I have had not only the classic accelerated HR of AFib but also have issues when lower as well.  This looks like it may make for a more complicated issue.  For one – and truthfully sort of happy about this – medication that is used for AFib is seen as not an option in most papers I have read as they all tend to slow the HR and that is the last thing I need  The issue is in having both instances make ablation an option but has some issues and really need to look into it more.  I guess I just can’t have one or the other  More to follow on this.
 
As far as training I have been working to make sure I only do two hard workouts a week and even on those try and watch my HR to not go over 150 if possible.  For easy rides it is not hard to keep HR low but running is different.  That said I have been running more, longest run so far is 10 miles but have a 13miler planned in the upcoming week, and have seen my HR drop when running at the same speed where it was higher before so that is a good sign.  I have been riding 2-3 times a week and even had a ride in the past week where I had my best 20 minute power (3.4w/kg – 290w) which is lower than I have done in the past but is my best in quite a while – and no AFib.  I also did a rowing workout where I did 3 X 2000m w/4min Rest and did the 2ks in 7:41.4, 7:42.4 & 7:43 and since my 2K PR is right now 7:26.7, and best time this year has been 7:38, made for a good workout - and again no AFib making it even better.  While my plan is to for now focus more on running and rowing it does sort of depend on what I find out from my Electrophysiologist.  I do have a 5k planned in a few weeks but will have to see if I do it but even if I do will have to not do my usual go for the gusto plans:)  
 
Since, first heading down the AFib road I have been reading and listening to all I can on the subject.  It does seem there is more out there recently and some, as I see it, take a path to get clicks.  By this I mean they propose that if you are an endurance athlete you are in for a tough time.  The problem is that is not the case as while the instance may be higher in endurance athletes it is no reason to not partake in endurance sports.  The way I see it is that like anything too much of a good thing can have consequences and that may be the case.  In my case I am one that has a tendency to train a lot and too hard too often.  Probably should have read The Haywire Heart 8 years ago when it came out as may have slowed things and also led me to notice issue sooner.  But the biggest thing I can say is to not be fearful but to be wise and train as is appropriate – especially as you age.  There is a place to take stock in why one does what one does and in truth do older athletes need to train like they are 20 and the answer is no.  Yes, we need to train and can but need to realize where we are in life and what are we really training for.  To win that next race or to win at the biggest race we are in – LIFE.
 
In all this it would be easy to get frustrated and even depressed as had lots of plans.  But we have never been promised a life of ease – no matter what people want you to believe.  Life is full of trials and people have many ways to deal with them but for me my faith in God, through Christ is central.  Knowing God is sovereign in all things lets me deal with trials as I know they have a purpose – even if I do not know the immediate purpose – to in the end work to make me who God wants me to be.  To be honest knowing this does not mean at times I might ask “Why” but the joy is that these times are short and do not dwell on it.  I also know I may be going through things like this to help others and if that is the case Amen.  I have used this verse before but added V2 as not many find joy in trials, or thing you should, but once you realize God’s hand in everything and that in being one of His there is purpose in trials you can indeed find joy in them.
 
Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. And let perseverance have its perfect work, 
so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
 
As I have been looking for info on AFib, mostly focused on athletes, I want to share the links I have come across.  I have not read all of them as need to set aside the time but my view is to look at it all so as to best be able to see what is out there.  I apologize if a link ends up going to the same study as all too often people modify the title of a page but the link ends up being the same.  Also, many of the links are for abstracts and it can be hard to get the actual papers but I try.
 
I also put links to the devices I use to track and see how things are going:

Devices 
  • Fourth Frontier XPlus (link gets you $150 off) or use code  FRIEND-TKDRFQ4 - There is also an X3 which also gives an ECG but from what I can figure does not show AFIB and is not considered a medical device.
  • Kardi 6L Max 
  • Apple Watch Series 12 – I will say this is a great watch but will add that while it can do ECG’s, they are manual and not running all the time, it does say it does not recognize AFib under 50HR which is probably not a big issue as when I have had the slow AFIB it is still at about 60
 
Web Links:
 
Podcasts:

Books
 
If you find any issue with links let me know or if you find other resources share those with me as well as I am going to work on a page that is solely a resource page.
 
More to come after I see the new Doctor.


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Sunday, August 30, 2026

Things Change and thus Plans Change - Part 7 of Series on Journey to see what is up with my Heart/Health


I had not planned to do a next part in this series so soon since had not had any issues and the plan from my Cardiologist was to just keep an eye on things.  As with most things plans change when the situation changes and one has to just go with it.  You don’t gain anything by dwelling on the “might have beens” or the “what abouts” so just need to deal with “what is.”
 
So, what did change: well since my issues on a 100 mile ride then a rowing workout about 13 weeks ago where I had an accelerated HR a number of times with the rowing workout being the highest at 206 I had not had any issues to speak of.  I had my CTA scan done (see part 6 ) on August 10th that set out what was the current plan of doing what I usually do and keep an eye on things.  Due to this I was planning a long outdoor ride September 12th with my last long outdoor ride the first weekend in October and was working my miles up some to get ready.  Then came this past weekend and my first recorded AFIB event.
 
I had gone down to Gatlinburg on Thursday, a week ago, as was meeting up with someone on Friday and just figured take a walk around Gatlinburg and have dinner.  This will play in soon but I was a little tired and going up three flights of stairs to a restaurant I felt a little out of breath.  So that is what we did then when got back to the hotel I did my usual check of my heart with my Kardia 6L  and for the first time got a reading of AFIB.  As usual when I get what seems an abnormal reading, for me, I took another one and it too said AFIB.  I just relaxed and right before bed took another reading and again AFIB as did my retake of it.  I really did not feel any flutter or heart racing but was tired and thinking back the stairs earlier makes more sense.  Unfortunately, I did not bring my Frontier HRM so could not use it to get a continuous reading.  The next morning I again had an AFIB reading and again did a few other scans before we left the hotel and they all showed AFIB.  During the day I did not feel much as far as heart rate but going up stairs was more tiring than it should have been.  When I got home in the late afternoon I checked again and still showed AFIB and did so till around 9:30PM.  I was able to get some readings on my Frontier as put it on when I got home and it showed the same till about 10:30PM when I got my first regular reading and the end of the AFIB.  Since then have not had another AFIB reading.
 
I sent all the data I had from the scans to my Cardiologist but as it was a weekend and I did not feel it was an emergency had to wait till at least Monday to hear back.  When they did get to me on early Tuesday the answer – sort of what I was expecting – was to start on Eliquis, more on this in a moment, and to be scheduled to use a 3 day halter to record what is going on, well for at least those three days.  As far the Eliquis, which is a blood thinner/anti-coagulant, it is to help stop the chance of a stroke/heart attack.  The issue with AFIB is that due to the irregular heart beat the chamber does not empty and then the blood can pool and if it creates a clot – what drugs like Eliquis are intended to stop – and that clot then later gets ejected it can then create a stroke.  The issue however is that drugs like Eliquis create a greater risk of excessive bleeding in the case of a fall or other event that causes bleeding internal or external.  I am not excited about taking them right now but will for a bit but do not see that being on it for along time is realistic, let alone its cost as it is expensive.  There is one other issue, I am sure there are more, but if you need say a dental procedure or medical procedure with Eliquis you have to stop Eliquis 24-72 hours before depending on the bleeding risk for procedure then can’t start up again for 1-3 days.  So, you can’t just go in for a procedure. One thing I did find, as it is relatively new for Eliquis, is there is an antidote for reversing bleeding caused by Eliquis called Andexxa.  I did listen to a presentation on a new drug that is such that it deals with the kind of clot you get in the heart but does not stop, well at least allows some, clotting in the case of injury.  It is called Factor XI and is in Stage 3 trials so is 1-3 years away from regular use.  The other option out there but not a lot of trials on it is to use is a natural blood viscosity regulator like Nattokinase, which I already was taking, at a therapeutic level (10,800FU), don’t use now as would not be good.  But for now that is hard to get a doctor to prescribe as less data on it.  For me I have heard that if you get an ablation and it clears up your AFIB you can go off the thinners but we shall see.
 
With all this going on and being on the anti-coagulant I have canceled out on a plan to ride a 77 miler in early September and a 109 miler in early October as riding is just not safe.  While I do not fall very often – actually the last time I fell was in a parking lot talking to someone and my cleat not disengaging – any fall can be dangerous especially if you get unseen internal injuries as the clotting effect that should happen does not.  Actually, when I got the Eliquis I was told that if I hit my head they have to do a scan and then do one every few days after to make sure there is no bleeding.  Sorta, bummed and was on a site where I saw the question come up on riding outside while on thinners/anti-coagulants and some said they would not give up riding.  I do not think that seems wise since while I enjoy riding outside with others and alone it is not worth my life and since I can still run and row I have outlets for my competitive side.  Let alone I can still ride and race on Zwift – so for now will stick to that while I work through the rest.
 
As I write this I am into the last of the 3 days with my Zio  Monitor and while I have felt a off a few times my Kardia did not show anything but we shall see.  I did do a 30 minute row to get in something with an elevated HR and did a Zwift ride with a hard effort.  Once done I send the monitor back and they send the results to the doctor and then we move on from there.  Sort of a Catch 22 as while I really do not want an AFIB episode having one while on the monitor gives useful information.  One of the treatments for AFIB is an ablation – the one I think that seems the best is a Pulse Phase Ablation – but I guessing they need to be able to know where to ablate and thus need AFIB to take place somehow.
 
That is where I am now and hope I will get info back from the cardiologist after Labor Day - maybe sooner – but we shall see.  As I have said before I know that in this God is working on me, especially in the area of patience.  One key to patience is a well-grounded trust in God in the midst of the good times and “what we may see” as bad.  Earlier, in Part 2, I mentioned Romans 8:28 which says God uses “ALL” things for our good as believers and his Glory.   That verse really helps me to truly see God as my strength and refuge in times of turmoil where things do not go as I planned – but as God desires and will use as we see in Psalm 46:1.
 
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
 
Being a Christian is not meant to be simply a moniker one claims but is to be integral to life and that means relying on His Word to guide and give hope.  While I know I may fail to do as I need to do I also know the road God has me on is not promised to be smooth but is to be one He is with me on.  I always think about John Bunyan’s Pilgrims Progress where he talks about how Pilgrim more than once is faced with what looks like an easier path but when taken leads away from the desired destination.  Thus it is with life, we are often sold that life should be smooth and easy but that is a trap.  This does not mean if things are going well we are to worry but that we are to be content no matter as long as our focus is on moving forward to be all God desires us to be and in the process glorify Him.
 
More to come as God works in and through me!
 
By the way I hope all this is helpful not only if you are in a similar situation but also to help you see that no matter our situation in God there is hope no matter the situation.



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Sunday, August 16, 2026

The All Clear and Needing to Trust God – Part 6 of Series on Journey to see what is up with my Heart/Health


After no heart issues in the last 8 weeks it was time for my CT-Angiogram (Heart Scan with Contrast) as my cardiologist wanted to rule out blockages or other issues in the heart itself.  With my Cholesterol being high by the standards most follow – even with great HDL and low Triglycerides and very low LPa – and a CAC score of 103 he wanted to rule out issues usually attributed to those things.  In truth in looking at the CTA and what it can find I would say they should just skip a CAC if they are concerned – more on that when I talk about the results – but it is usually the case that to get a CTA covered by insurance you need a CAC over 100, high cholesterol and other factors – I guess thankfully I have those as it was covered.  I did listen to a doctor talk about why Insurance does not like to pay for the CTA initially is that 40-60% of first heart attacks are fatal, I did look up some info and saw 30-50% but close, thus while a CTA might help if they do not do it they save as often it is after a heart attack when a CTA is approved.  Bottom line if you are having issues a CAC test may be good but try and advocate for a CTA if you are concerned.  The other reason I would push for a CTA is my CAC score during the CTA was 10 – a 90% decrease – and not sure if it is because a different and more precise machine, actual drop or some other reason.  My initial guess is the CTA was more accurate.  The issue is if you get a CAC above 100 most doctors go into the “standard of care’ process and Statins are prescribed among possible other medications.  Again, this was just for info so you can ask the right questions.
 
A little info on a CTA as I had a scan with contrast for another issue a year or so ago and had no issue.  For this one they warned me that there would be a bad taste in my mouth, might get a little headache and that I may feel like I wet myself.  Did not have this when I did one before but sure did this time.  Thankfully the test is quick as the bad taste made me a little nauseous and did get a little headache.  As for the feeling of wetting myself  - well that warm feeling sure did happen – thankfully they warned me.  One thing the technicians were commenting on was that most people they deal with need medication to slow the heart down as it needs to be, I think I was told, under 60bpm.  With my resting HR at low 40’s my cardiologist said I would not need them.  Well, on the table during the test my HR was 43 and that helps with better pictures since the heart is not moving as much so the technician was happy and I was happy as did not need medication.
 
Here is the info from my CTA:

Coronary artery calcification findings:
·      The total calcium score is 10 indicating mild (CAC 1-100) calcified plaque in the coronary tree.
       o   Left main 0
       o   LAD 10  (Was 70 on first CAC)
       o   LCx 0  (Was 30 on first CAC)
       o   RCA 0 
 
Grading Scale for Plaque Burden: Angiographic Findings: 
·      The coronary anatomy is left dominant.
       o   An interesting one as puts me in the minority at like 8%
       o   Also, can have implications with surgery as there is a higher have a higher risk of perioperative myocardial infarction during cardiac surgery
       o   So good to know this 
·      Left Main: No significant disease gives rise to LAD and circumflex
·      LAD: Mild nonobstructive extraluminal plaque gives rise to 1 bifurcating diagonal 
·      LCX: Mild luminal irregularities dominant vessel posterior circulation gives rise to 4 obtuse marginal branches and PDA
·      RCA: Small nondominant vessel posterior circulation with mid free wall bifurcation bifurcation 
 
Noncoronary Cardiac Findings:
·      Cardiac valves: Aortic valve is trileaflet. There is no thickening or calcification in the aortic and mitral valves.
·      Pericardium: The pericardial contour is preserved with no effusion, thickening, or calcifications.
·      Left ventricle: Calculated LVEF 67%
·      Left atrial appendage: No thrombus
·      Non-cardiac findings reported separately by radiology. 

IMPRESSION:
·      Minimal (1-24%) 1 vessel disease. CAD RADS 1
·      Coronary calcium score 10
·      No non-atherosclerotic coronary abnormalities
·      LV systolic function (calculated LVEF 67%)
◦ A normal LVEF is typically between 50% and 70%.
◦ An LVEF of 67% is considered normal, indicating that the left ventricle is functioning well and effectively pumping oxygen-rich blood to the body.
◦ A LVEF of 67% suggests that the heart is in good condition and is not showing signs of heart failure.
 
The takeaway from all this, and the direction my cardiologist wants to go, is to just keep an eye on things and no need for medication.  I will say I was pleased with my doctor on the initial consultation that while he talked about Statins – this was before my CTA and based on my blood test and CAC score of 103 – he did not push them and even commented that with me as an athlete I would not likely react well to them.  I was very thankful for this as means that while  he might have a Standard of Care protocol he also listens and understands my situation.  Also, while there may be minimal plaque at 67 and not having always been one who ate well this shows my high Cholesterol which most would say puts me at great risk shows I am not as they would assume by simply looking at individual numbers.  A big reason the things need to be looked at holistically and not mechanistically as the usual “Standard of Care” does.
 
I was told I can go back to training and I did ask if I can also ride, row or row, hard as I did before and was given the go ahead.  But was told to keep an eye on things and continue to use my Frontier HRM and track with the ECG it creates my activities.  From this I will continue as was starting to work at before and move to a more Polarized plan but likely at a  70/30 level till work back up to more time/miles as when under 10 hours the 80/20 is not the same.  I need to be careful to not overdo it as I am pretty good at doing and know when to push and when to not.  I may do a long ride in October and even then I need to do it for fun and not speed so as to simply enjoy the ability to take part.  I need to realize that at the end of the day I ride, row and run because I enjoy it and need to do all I can to keep doing so.  Will I race, probably but with an eye on my health and being ready to throttle back as need be.

The other areas I will be working on in the next 5 months is my sleep - as it has not been good for quite some time - and making sure I get enough electrolytes.  If I have the begginings of AFIB finding the trigger is important.  As far as sleeo I sleep well once I get to sleep but no matter when I go to bed I do not fall alspeep till between 1:30am - 2:30am.  The problem there is I have to get up for work so hard to get in much more sleep.  Just need to figure out how to fall alspeep sooner as do feel tired but just do not fall asleep quickly.

I also need to make sure I get enough electrolytes in and the correct ones.  The interesting part is knowing what is the right amount and while there are all sorts of tests they are really only as good as the time they were taken.  I do know magnesium  is important and was told to ask for a Magnesium RBC test during my next physical tells how much magnesium in the Red Blood Cells and a much better indicator of if there are issues.  Bottom line AFIB can be triggered by dehydration or not enough electrolytes so will be wokring on that as well.
 
In all this as I move forward I need to, as Proverbs 16:3 says, 
 
“Commit your works to Yahweh
And your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:3
 
to commit my plans to God and trust He will guide.  Now while some may wonder how this can be and is it some sort of incantation theology.  Well, it is not as to trust in God and is plans is to use wisdom, God granted wisdom, to seek out what needs to be done and trust God will reveal the path. While God can, and does still, perform miracles and divine leading more often than not HE simply uses means to reveal what needs to be done.  This happens by reading, studying and discussing all I can on what I may be dealing with and seek wisdom in putting it all together in a manner that glorifies God and leads to what God has for me to do.
 
I will post more on this as things take place that relate to it.  But may be longer between them but for sure will share more after my follow up visit in late January of 2027.




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Sunday, August 2, 2026

No Excuse to Not Exercise, How Much and How Hard is a Different Matter – Part 5 of Series on Journey to see what is up with my Heart/Health

I have heard over and over in my 54 years of running and 45 years riding:
  • Running will ruin your knees
  • Riding that much is bad for your heart – oh I can hear that one now:)
  • We were not made to do such extreme things – might ask those in the past who did extreme things just to survive.
Oh, and there are others but the point is people all too often take the bad outcomes of others and instead of seeking an in-depth reason as to why they happened so as to learn use them as reasons/excuses to not partake in the activity at all.  The fact I am having what appear to be heart issues and have been running for 54 years and riding for 46 is not so much, in my opinion, related to having taken part in those activities for such a long time but that I was not wise in how I undertook them.  Truth is many that started when I did no longer do so but I see my longevity as a blessing from God.  Also, and this is important, my dietary habits for much of the time I have participated in sport was not the best and my being in shape and young, well for a while, allowed me to overcome the issues my diet was doing inside.  Changing how I eat has only been in the last 8-10 years and while it can halt or slow issues it is hard to undo what one did in the past – although I think that is still up for debate in some areas.
 
What I want to address here is that more often than not when one gets injured or has other issues with running, riding or even rowing it is not necessarily the activity, it can be, but how one went about it.  These activities when done correctly do not harm but will often reveal weaknesses and if one does not work to strengthen or correct those areas of weakness then yes partaking in activities can exacerbate the issues one already has.  Then there is the issue is that when one is not smart about training then, again, that can lead to issues.  In looking at most all my past issues – ruling out ones where I have had a physical accident that injured me – I do not know any that came about when I was riding or running wisely, sadly being wise about my training was not the norm.
 
How I trained started in college running at the University of Arizona which I went to as was in town, cheap (Yea cheap for in-state) and had a good team but was not on scholarship and to be very honest was way over my head.  As I was not on scholarship I did not really get any coaching but was just expected to do whatever everyone else was doing.  A topic for another post but if yu are younger and looking for a place to compete in college be wise and seek a lace where they actually have coaches and not managers – there is a huge difference.  This led to over training – yea I had some good races but largely not what I could have done if I trained wisely.  This led me to riding and even then I rode hard a lot more than I should have but thankfully riding is easier on the body so had fewer injuries.
 
This mentality, of riding and running hard more than I needed to, stayed with me as I got older and hence as I tended to get sick often and had a few injuries.  You think I would learn but never really having had a coach – even though I knew rest was needed – I just went as I felt which usually meant running or riding hard till I could not any more.  I have kept this up for many many years and was only in the past year I was trying to do a more polarized system with more easy rides/runs but still with hard efforts but not as many.
 
Using wisdom in life is of utmost importance but all too often I defaulted to just pushing forward.  Sadly, I often knew what was best but did not do so.  In Scripture wisdom is spoken of highly but when it speaks of having it the implication is you will use it.  Knowing what to do and not doing it is far from wisdom.  Proverbs 8:11 speaks to the value of Wisdom – nothing can compare to it:
 
For wisdom is better than pearls;

And all desirable things cannot compare with her.  (Prov 8:11 LSB)
 
It is also important to realize that while wisdom is often assumed to come with age –  in truth should but often does not.  Wisdom also comes from learning from others who have trod a path before you.  This is not simply head knowledge but learning from all you can see around you and applying it as is wise – that is wisdom.  Simply ignoring what you see and thinking it will not happen is not wise. 
 
I share all this as I do not think it is my 54 years running or 45 years riding that may have played with my heart/health but the effort I put out during that time.  To be truthful I have made it much longer than many I have ridden and run with so feel blessed with that.  I also pray my current issues can be taken care of and I will be able to still race and do some long rides and runs.  However, if not I am good with it as just want to be where God wants me to be.  I also hope these posts and what I have experienced can help others learn lessons from my mistakes and successes and work to increase their wisdom.
 
As an update to my current health – I have my CTA (Scan with contrast) on August 10th so hopefully answers will come.  That said I have to admit the scan is one of those things that I hope they find nothing but then we have to go back to look at other things and other tests. We shall see as just have to wait on God for his timing in this.
 
As far as training I have been pretty much riding easy with one day a week of rowing.  I have done a few rides with short hard efforts in them and have had no events show up heart wise.  I have also been trying to walk at least 20 minutes a day barefoot.  The reason for going barefoot is to strengthen my feet and to also get in 20 minutes or so of grounding.  Grounding is one of those areas that some may ignore but I think it has merit and in truth nothing to lose doing it. The other fun is as 5 of my grandkids live at the end of my drive I often get company on my walk.  So, with one more week till my test will just do the same this week and re-evaluate when I get my test results and consult with my cardiologist.
 
More to come.




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Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Learning Patience – Part 4 of Series on Journey to see what is up with my Heart/Health

After about 5 week I had my initial visit with a cardiologist, last week, and as I expected would not get any specifics as more testing needs to be done to determine the source of the issue.  As I have mentioned before the main thing to figure out is if the issue is: Electrical, Valve related or something else.  The treatment/s change depending on the nature of the issue.  
 
The cardiologists's initial thought was that it was not an electrical issue but may be linked to something else, maybe lipid related.  As my Total Cholesterol is considered high and my CAC (Coronary Artery Calcium) score was 103 ( LAD 70, Cx 30 ), over 99 they tend to look in that direction, so leaning towards other than being electrical was where he went and sort of expected that.  The good point in that while he mentioned statins he did say they may not be good for me being athletic – that was good to hear.  He did mention some new drugs out that currently that show no side effects – too new to know long term – but they take jumping through hoops if you need them to get insurance to pay for them but it can be done.  All that said he stressed, again, we needed to figure out the issue before any plan is put in place – good to hear that.   The next step right now is a CT-Angiogram as they can get a 3D model of my heart and arteries so see what is there and then maybe an FRR which is a flow diagram made from the scan.  
 
In watching a video on the scan it looks to be very accurate in showing any physical issues.  Also, in reading up on it, and in the video, it is a scan that while a great tool to deal with issues early is not often paid for by insurance unless you are deemed to already have issues so may be why the doctor also went the direction he did since if he went the electrical way it may not have been as easy to get the scan.  The frustrating part is I had my appointment on July 8th and can’t get in for the scan till August 10th.  Seems like a long wait but am guessing the doctor is not worried so that is a good sign.  
 
In reference to my episodes where my heart has gone to rates that are not normal for the effort and even for a hard effort gone higher than is anywhere near close to where it should be he said it is called Exercise Induced Tachycardia (EIT).  Now in one sense this is normal as when one works out the HR goes up.  The issue with mine it went up abnormally high and stayed there longer than normal.  So it may be more and indeed may still be AFIB but will have to see.  I can say while most all my rides have been easy I have done a few harder efforts and also rowed and not seen an increase like before since but just have to watch it.  He did say we need to see why it does not go down quickly as normal but again the hard part is figuring out the issue to provide the correct action.
 
While I wait for the scan, and am sure there will be other tests, what am I doing?  Well, I am keeping my workouts mostly in Zone 1-2 but do put in a few harder efforts just to see how things go but not too push it too much.  For now I am sticking to riding my indoor trainer so I can stop if my HR gets too high.  I am not just watching for the super high numbers like 198 and 206 I saw a month ago but also just watching for an abnormal number for the effort as I saw a month ago when I was on a ride where I was at 100-130 watts and HR was at 135 and not going down, so stopped as that was far from normal.  It is frustrating as I I like to ride hard but just not smart right now.  I also have to realize depending on how things go this may be the way it is from now on.  While I would like to race if it is not to be so be it.  In reading The Haywire Heart Lennard Zinn talks about how he had to realize while he could ride the days of going for PRs and such were gone but just found enjoyment in riding for riding sake.  For me I will have to adjust but will work to see how this works for running as well as for me it is much easier to control things riding than it is for running.
 
In all of this I am learning patience as while I have more patience than I once did I do struggle with wanting answers and wanting them now.  What I need to focus on is as James speaks to in 1:3-4 and trust in God for His timing:
 
“knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
 
It is in times like these, where you do not have all the answers or in some ways any answers, that I have to rely on the gift of faith given by God.  A faith when tested brings about perseverance which is key to growing in Christ.  We live in a world where everyone has an answer – even if wrong – and with all the sources of information we expect those answers right away.  Part of the issue here is learning to live with a medical system that often does not make sense.  Like how does it take a month to get into have a CT-Angiogram unless there are hundreds of people getting them.  Then even more absurd was when I was asked about making another appointment, I had not seen the doctors notes yet, they said it was in November and I was WOW but then I heard her say November 2027 – yes 2027.  That said she said if things come up on the tests then they would get me in – that’s nice.  Then when I got home I saw that the Doctor said to have a follow up in 6 months so I put in a request for that since he was the one that said it but have not heard back yet.  While I do not want to just sit back I do have to realize this is the system we have and my God is greater than the system so things will go as HE plans.  Thus, I have two places teaching me to trust in God – Finding out what is wrong and also dealing with what might be a change in what I do.  
 
My main goal in this series is to first of all Glorify God and then to share my journey so others than avoid the errors I have made.  Not to void doing hard things but doing them with wisdom and looking to how it all fits in with the future.  It seems people tend to swing to one extreme or the other but I also don’t want to promote mediocrity.  But, instead learn from mine, and others mistakes, and work to be the best you can be.  If you are a Christian my encouragement is to live out your faith such that in all things God gets the Glory.
 
More to come after my test in early August – well unless things change before them.
 



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Sunday, July 5, 2026

Sleep, Helmets and Anxiety: Part 3 of Journey to Discover what is up with my Heart/Health

Nothing to report doctor wise as my appointment is not till July 8th but did have a week or so I would have rather avoided.  

 

About 2 weeks ago I came down with a cold and initially it was just a slight head cold and as was not riding much so decided to just not ride and let the cold get better sooner.  Well, that did not happen as the cold just seemed to get worse to the point where I had to take a couple days off of work.  Then the fun and why I titled the post to include Sleep and Helmets.  As some quick background – when I get sick I do have a tendency to get light headed and have had issues passing out quite a few times over the years.  A few times I have taken some bad falls in trying to get to bed and moving too fast and losing it.  This past Saturday was one of those days as with the cold and lack of sleep I was feeling a little dizzy when I got up in the night.  I thought I was doing fine but then knew it was not good and instead of my usual race to the bed I got down on all fours so did not fall.  But when I got there my head suddenly felt like it weighted 100lbs and it banged to the floor – fortunately was only from being on all fours and not standing.  The strange part was while I laid there I tried to lift my head and it felt like it was stuck to the floor and could not lift it.  It felt like a while but am sure it was not but finally crawled to bed and all was good.  I did get a bump and bruise on the noggin and a little sore but all good.  So maybe I need to wear my helmet to bed when I am sick – or at least when I get up

 

As it would happen I was wearing my Frontier X Plus HRM for a 24 hour period so I could see what the ECG showed when I fell.  However, from what I can tell the HRM did not show anything out of the ordinary but for a slight elevation from 45 to 80 BPM for my HR but nothing else but will have it for the Doctor if he wants to see it.  

 

Now a week later I am still dealing with the sinus/congestion from the cold but for me that is sort of normal so slowly getting back to normal.  I finally got in a Zwift ride Friday  for an hour and just rode so as to keep HR in check and had no issues.  My HR averaged 110 with a max of 137 on a climb but unlike when had issues a couple weeks ago it went right down and for an effort on a climb the HR was good and ECG looked normal.  Then the next day I did an easy 2 hour Zwift ride with some sprints to see how it went.  The ride was a banded one – as long as you pedal you stay in group but also more watts only does so much as it also keeps you back – as they are good to control effort and ride in a group.  The banded part of the ride was 1:20 long so the last 40 minutes was mostly in a group with normal drafting and dynamic.  During the banded ride I did 8 sprints but not all out – 576w max – and my max HR was only 138 and went down right away and the average for the 2 hours was 103 and my ECG also did not show anything abnormal.  I did take my blood pressure after the ride – as usually mine is a little on the higher side – and contrary to what I thought it would be as they often tell you to relax before a BP test – it was 116/79 w/HR of 60.  In looking it up it is quite normal and called “post-exercise hypotension” where during exercise your muscles need more blood, so blood vessels widen (vasodilation) and don't immediately return to normal size when you stop exercising, which lowers resistance to blood flow and can reduce blood pressure – did not know that. 

From Satruday's 2 HR Ride





Also, did a rowing workout today (7/5/26) to see how that felt.  Kew it would be hard as still congested and tired, let alone having not rowed for maybe 2 weeks.  During the 20 minute warmup wondred even if I could go under 2:00/500m average but figured give it a go as not sure what will be up after my Cardiologist vist Wednesday.  I did go into it with the mndset if my HR goes up to 155-160 or I get the breathless feeling when my heart wacks out I would stop.  Not the fastest I can do but HR did not go up past 152 and was farily consistent and while tired got it done.  Was also hot even with the AC on as blew a fuse halfway through so was off for half the workout.   Info on workout below:




In the last few weeks I have been reading up on heart issues as AFIB was just my doctors, and some other I know with AFIB, first thought.  What is interesting is so many of the symptoms of various heart issues – tiredness, increased heart rate, feeling off and others – are often the same for any number of issues.  With some being valve issues and others electrical – like AFIB.  For right now I do not know what is going on and may be a bit before I do as will take some tests and that often takes time.  Not having had any issues in the last weeks with high HR it may be I have caught AFIB early or it is entirely something else.

 

This all fits one of those weeks where the saying “When it rains it pours” fits.  Not enough that I have the heart/health issues that I have no idea what it is but now having to deal with a cold that wiped me out for a few days.  It is one of those times when it I easy to get frustrated with all else going on and frustration often leads to being anxious just for it all to be done.  It can be easy to get down and get into the “oh who is me” mindset.  What I have to remember is that as believers it says in Philippians 4:6 we are called to not be anxious for ANYTHING:

 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

 

This is not meant to be a pollyannish platitude where one just puts on a happy face and ignore the realities around one.  No, life is real and fake smiles do nothing.  The call is to take our frustration, anxiety and concern to God and in prayer and thanksgiving.  Not because otherwise He does not know them but it is to change us to what we are relying on.  Also, here we need to remember that to rely on God does not mean we do nothing.   God is a God of means and He uses our, and others actions, to accomplish His plan.  The result of this is we do what we need to do but realize it is all in God’s hands.  Confusion, pain and discomfort may continue – or it may not – but our peace comes in knowing we are relying on God.  It is also not a fatalistic look at life as fatalism results from no hope.  But is a look at life that has hope that to be in the center of God’s plan is always the best – I did not say most comfortable or easy, no matter what the hucksters of fake Christianity sell.  This is what I have to lean on as I am one likes answers and right now there are none.

 

More to come after my appointment at the cardiologist this week – even though I realize it may bring up more questions than answers in only one visit.  I also pray the doctor is open to looking at non-pharmaceutical answers when at all possible – so many are not.


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