Hello,
I'm a 37 year-old male and have been an avid exerciser for
some 14 years. For the last 6 years or so, I have been going
to the gym on average 5 to 6 days per week. On all of those
days I do 35 minutes of cardiovascular work (elliptical
machine) that keeps my rate heart at about 147 bpm. On 3 of
those days I also do some fairly heavy weight training. I
attempt to eat well, although it's tough to keep away from
chocolate! I have never smoked, I drink de-caff drinks, and
have maybe 4 beers on a given Friday night (no other
alcohol). I don't use any strenght "enhancers" nor do I take
any medication. And yet I've recently been to the doctor who
diagnosed my irregular heart beat as premature ventricular
contractions or PVCs. That really bothered me, given my
continued attemtps to be and remain in good shape. I feel
fantastic otherwise, no fainting spells, no shortness of
breath, no lightheadedness. So why the PVCs? Mine occur
anywhere from every 4th beat to every 30th beat or more.
Sometimes not at all, but they're generally there.
Thankfully, I have never felt them during my workout, only
when I'm at rest (watching TV or reading in bed). My
questions:
1. Do I have cause for concern?
2. Can I continue to work out at my current pace (cardio +
weight training)?
3. Do I need to do anything differently?
My doctor didn't seem too concerned and I understand from my
family that my Mom suffers from PVCs and palpitations from
time to time, and that my dad and 1 sister both have heart
murmurs (the doc says I don't have any murmurs).
Thank you in advance for any help/advice! Jim