Not political action committees, but premature atrial contractions, an extra beat in the atrium between normal sinus rhythm.
I had my six-month surgery follow-up on Friday. The results from the seven-day monitor I wore in early August showed many episodes of PACs that lasted long enough for the bot monitoring the EKG feed to misinterpret them as AFIB.
The episodes usually occurred during exercise, at about 80% effort.
My cardiologist confirmed I could not condition myself out of PACs. Another ablation would not solve the PAC issue. PACs are a precursor to AFIB. So too many should be avoided.
We decided to resume Flecainide and follow up in 3 months. A couple of weeks before the follow-up, we would do a 48-hour monitor.
I had issues exercising while taking Flecainide as it drops my heart rate. causes shortness of breath and leg fatigue.
While off Flecainide, my race and workout times slowed as my heart rate exceeded my desired limit. The first couple of days back on the drug, my workout times are about 10% faster, and I’m not exceeding a 70% effort. Walking fast is not increasing my heart rate as it was before taking the drug.
My cardiologist told me endurance athletes with low heart rates do get more PACs as there are larger gaps to fill. Most episodes are not noticed.
Hopefully, by the Downtown Mile, I’ll be able to run the downs, walk the ups, and break 15 minutes.
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