Anyone with bradycardia

[Junebug]

As you may or may not know bradycardia is a condition that causes slow heart rate. I am not an in great or even good shape but that is the big reason why I am here.

I am 48 YO Male, 210lb 5'10" tall overwieght, sedentary, have recently quit smoking (6 weeks ago) and have just purchased a rowing machine to start my excersize program to get fit and lose wieght.

My Goals are 30lbs in the next 6 months, reduce my blood pressure to normal 120/70 range without medication and reduce my cholesterol to below 200 total.

I went to see my doctor back about two months ago becuase I was put on a new medication that seems to have caused my heart rate to drop. My resting heart rate at that time was down to 42-46 bpm. Dangerously low for me because I am not an athlete by any means and for my condition my doctor said my heart rate should be above 60 at least and probobly should be higher. So he changed my blood pressure med and took me off my beta blocker, so now my HRR is in the 53-55 range when taken first thing in the morning before I get out of bed.

While at the doctor he told me to go ahead and start my excersize program but to stay in the 55-70% MHR range. I have done that and am about to start my second week of my plan. I have changed my diet, rowing 4 -5 times a week and feeling better.

I am just curious if anyone out there has this same condition and how it may have affected your training. I go back to the doctor in two weeks and suspect he will again change my meds to get my HRR up above 60 but also think that getting healthy will have a bigger affect on this. Hopefully I will be able to get off the HBP meds or at least reduce the number of meds I need to take to control it.

Thoughts anyone?

Unfortunatley I did not purchase a C2 because it was not in the budget but purchased a magnetic resistance machine that seems to be adequate for my goals.

Thanks for reading

[slwiser]

There is a place that you might get some interesting info for your situation. That site is Cardiac Athletes. You will find a forum where those of us with heart modifications and issues come and discuss our progress and challenges. http://www.cardiacathletes.org.uk/forums/

[Junebug]

Thank you I will check it out today.

[Snail Space]

Hi Junebug,

You have chosen exactly the right thing to do - taking over control of your own health. It will pay massive dividends.

Four years ago I was about 20 kg overweight, had high blood pressure (and it was going higher despite beta blockers [atenolol]), high lipids, drank too much, and got short of breath even kicking a ball around with my son (even if I stood still and he did all the running!).

When we had an unexpected addition to the family I was forced to take stock of the situation. I didn't want our new daughter to be without a dad while she was still young, so out went the booze, poor diet and slothfulness.

I stopped the booze and bought a C2 ergo. On my first session I thought I was going to die after about 2 minutes at a derisory pace. It took me about 2 months to be able to row for more than 20 minutes.

I persisted, and now I row for 60 minutes x5-6 per week at 2:03 - 2:05 pace. This isn't impressive at all compared with other forumites, but I don't give a hoot how fast or slow I am - I'm 16 kg lighter than I used to be (I'm intending to lose another 5 kg), my blood pressure is now 122/78 without any meds, my ressting HR is 48 bpm (lower than when I took the beta blocker), my lipids are normal (without meds), and (best of all) when I chase the kids around, it's them that get short of breath first.

I don't say this to gloat (although I am proud of what I've achieved - I feel rejuvenated), but rather to encourage you, and anyone else, to do the same. I used to just accept that I was middle-aged and starting to suffer the illnesses associated with getting old. But now, hell, those illnesses can be optional, and what does age matter anyway if you are fit, active and healthy?

Go for it, Junebug. My only caution is that you build the exercise up gradually, in both volume ad intensity. No point killing yourself in an attempt to improve your fitness! "Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey" as the old chinese proverb says.

Cheers,
Dave.

[Junebug]

Dave,

Thanks for the encouraging reply !!! Congrats to you on your success !!! I look forward to the same. My only regret is purchasing a different brand of Erg . I just could not afford the C2 but wanted to get started. Back in my Navy years the only excesize equipment we had on the submarine was a rower, so I used it and learned to love it. I cant run because my old knee wouldnt take it, hate to swim, so I thought what the heck I will try rowing again. I can say that the past two weeks have been awesome, I have changed my lifestyle and it feels terrific !!!! I wish I could tell you what pace I am at but this stupid cheap machine I have has a monitor that cannot possibly be right. I mean I rowed for 25 min this morning with my HR at 130 and it says I only rowed 2100 meters. That cant be correct so I really have no idea of what my pace truly is. Hopefully by this time next year I will be 12-14kg lighter and will also own a C2.

Thanks Again

[slwiser]

Dave,

I mean I rowed for 25 min this morning with my HR at 130 and it says I only rowed 2100 meters. That cant be correct so I really have no idea of what my pace truly is. Hopefully by this time next year I will be 12-14kg lighter and will also own a C2.

Thanks Again

Just use this as your base and go forward with this as a future reference. Keep a log of HR, time and meters. Make sure that you have enough recovery so your muscles can adapt properly. Get to where you can row comfortably 60 minutes with a HR around that 130 bpm since it seems that the 130 was a comfortable rate for you. That will be a base of conditioning you can build from. I do intervals and long slow distances and keep my logs on how I am doing. Learn a do a orthostatic HR test for recovery. Google this if you don't know that that is.

[Snail Space]

My only regret is purchasing a different brand of Erg . I just could not afford the C2

I, too, was concerned about the cost of the C2, but giving up alcohol has saved me at least £20 per week. Also, buying my own enabled me to stop paying £40 per month to the gym. The nett effect has been that the ergo had payed for itself within 2 years. In any case, I can't put a high enough value on the health and well-being that it has given me. I couldn't afford to not buy it.

You could think about a second-hand C2 - which you should be able to pick up for 60% of the cost of a new purchase. Also, every time you think about buying something for $5-10, why not ask if you really need it? If you don't, put the money in your ergo fund instead. If that money was destined for a bottle of wine or cakes you will be both nearer your own C2 and healthier too.

I think that my C2 has been by far the most valuable and cost-effective buy I have ever made.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Dave.