Bluegrass Endurance: Update: New Doctor, Training and Resources

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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