[fluttery]

Hello, for almost two years I've been having ectopic heart beats. I don't get them that often and they don't cause no other symptoms. I've had some tests run, including an ECG, 48 hour heart monitor, blood work, and everything seems to be normal. My family doctor told me that since they only happen when I'm at rest, he thinks that the unusual rhythms are harmless. Lately however, I've been experiencing ectopics during times when I'm overly exerting myself (like distance running). Are the ectopics harmful, or something I should see my doctor about again, now that they are happening when I'm physically active?

Also, I have a question regarding my resting and exercising heart rate. I'm extremely active and fit. I exercise 5 times a week, every week, so you'd think that my resting heart rate would be pretty low. It isn't. The other day I checked and my resting heart rate was at 85-90BPM. My max heart rate is supposed to be 200, according to the calculations (220-age), but while I was jogging steadily for 40 minutes, my heart rate went way up to 175 bpm. This seems very high to me. Why would my resting and exercising heart rates be so high, considering how much I exercise? I don't drink caffeine or alcohol or smoke.

[Jeff]

I know that the parameters that have been put out there for a "normal" resting heart rate is between 60 and 80 bpm. However, I've also read input from several cardiologists that say you shouldn't get too hung up on those numbers, because everyone is different. Lance Armstrong has a resting heart rate of 32 - even the American Heart Association recommends a pacemaker when a resting heart rate is under 40bpm, but I suspect Lance is just fine.

Even I have a resting heart rate of between 55-65, likely lower when I sleep, and technically that's bradycardic, but with every Holter monitor and my event monitor, not a single doctor has said boo about it. So there's always some interpretation done by the doctors for your specific situation as to what is appropriate and what isn't. If your doctor isn't worried, you shouldn't worry.

As for the fast heart rate - running is supposed to be one of the most vigorous exercises you can engage in, so it's not a surprise to me that your heart rate can get up to 170 bpm - in fact, I believe that's your target max for cardio exercise, 85% of your max heart rate.

As for the ectopics you're having while running - I'm not sure if you're having a single skipped beat here and there, or if it's happening when your heart is maxing out at 170-180bpm. If it's happening at the high end, it's probably still harmless, but it wouldn't hurt to talk to your doctor about it.

Please keep us updated.