TMBRA - Rider Board

[Guest]

Hi Doc, I'm currently under the care of a caradiologist as well as an electrphysiologist because of Tachycardia. As we try to determine the cause, I am restricted to light exercise. I've tried to be a good patient, but I'm getting stir crazy. I wanted to get some ideas on things I can do to stay in shape. If I ride (I've cut way back on sadle time), I take it easy & will stop & walk when I feel my heart skyrocketing. (at rest it's not going below 100). I've decreased the amt. of wieghts that I use at the gym. My legs are starting to get that restless ache from the decrease in activity which in turn makes it difficult to sleeep, so I'm kind of in a catch-22. I want to abide by my doctor's wishes, but I'm having a hard time behaving. Any suggestions?

[The Bike Doc]

Guest:

You have a tough case here. Not knowing the underlying cause of your elevated heart rate, and the kind of heart rate pattern it is (some tachycardias are more dangerous than others), I must defer to your cardiologist and electrophysiologist for their specific recommendations. Talk to them about light spinning on a exercise bicycle or flat bike trail, possibly swimming or brisk walking to help you maintain some decorum of fitness. Be patient, far better for you to loose some of your overall conditioning while the heart specialist work on your heart condition than to kick over with a great set of calves and be burried in your bike shorts.

Thanks,
_________________
Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc