i'm 52 and 6 months ago and 1 week after marine corps marathon, iwas running a casual local 10k and noted irregular heartbeat for the whole race---that stoppped when i did---then same thing 2 weeks alter on t-giving morn 10k---being medical , i knew it was a-fib---but it took over a month with a monitor to document it----now on med that works o.k., still some palpitations, occasionally, but no a-fib---yet----i chose not to take a beta cause of my running----just did nashville marathon with no issues except the usual pain and suffering---if it occurs again , i'll have ablation at uab medical center.....i have to check my q-t on my drug and lab every so often---but i've been on it only 2 months----with no race problems, 10'k, half marathons, 5-k.....here's hoping---i can tell you the beta is gonna limit your heart rate and output and fatigue will be an issue---i just could not justify that when other drugs will help control rhythm.....carry on and good luck..........drralphie

Oscar:

I am 46 and was diagnosed with Lone paroxysmal a fib 5 years ago. Prior to that I was teaching martial arts 6 days a week and playing soccer for the NATO soccer team in Norfolk, VA. I retired from active duty one year later and almost 45 pounds heavier 'thanks' to the meds. I couldn't do anything because of the dosage of my beta blocker (Sotalol if I remember correctly). I was miserable - so I quit taking it (not smart), and blew through the meds and started a fibbing again. My cardiologist switched my meds and I am now on pro-rhythmic meds. The way he explained was the new meds would keep me in the rhythm I was in, the old meds set my heart in a fixed rhythm (and subsequently set my metabolism.) Battling meds is a perfect description of what I was going through.

Since going on the new meds (Flecainide plus a very low dose beta blocker (5 mg toprol) I have had a huge improvement in quality of life. I have been running for the past two years, about 10-30 miles per week, done 8 halfs and more 5 and 10Ks than I can count. Plus knocked off about 25 of the 45 pounds I gained. I am now training for my first full marathon and so far have had no heart issues due to running (or anything else).

Talk to your Doc and see if you are a candidate for a pro-rhythmic medicine course. I'm not sure if Long QT mandates a more aggressive beta blocker course, but if Toursades-de Pointes is the alternative I guess you better stick with it and manage your running as best you can.

Best of luck to you.

I have been checked out because I noticed an irregular heartbeat...one facility told me I had mitral valve prolapse and to expect an irregular rhythm periodically. I got an echo at another facility and they told me it wasn't worth worrying about. On the two occasions I went to the ED my potassium level was a little low. I have noticed that I have had palpitations moreso lately and can feel them up into my throat. I spoke with a friend of mine who is a cardiologist and my concern with running/physical activity and he told me that exercise is probably the best thing I could do because it would help build the collateral circulation within my heart. If it gets worse I'll get it checked out but in the meantime I'll keep trekking on!