I got a stress test done about a year ago because I was having problems running. When I was younger I was diagnosed with sports induced asthma and put on an inhaler. When I asked my new doctor to write a prescription for an inhaler he hooked me up to an EKG, and a daily heart monitor for 1 week. When I did my stress test my heart rate was over 200 and I was walking uphill. I was fine, no pain. When I run I get a sharp pain along with a lot of pressure at my sternum, I cough a lot and I have a burning sensation while breathing. I need to breathe through my mouth because I become short of breath. This is the kicker, this happens only after about 2 minutes of jogging at a 9minute mi pace. Now as of now I am not really in shape per se I mean i'm a tiny thing but I haven't worked out in about 3 months. But when I did my stress test I was training for a .5 marathon I was runnin 5 mi a day. What is wrong with me? Anyone have any answers?
2007-09-21 06:45:03 · 5 answers · asked by cmantis21 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Hi guys thank you so much for your help. I should add that my doctor did say that I had arrythmia but he didn't say anything else, about how to take care of it or what I should do and he didn't seem so sure that was it. Also, last night after drinking only 2 beers I almost passed out from palpatations over 100 bpm, I was dizzy, and sick feeling but totally sober...ok thanks again
2007-09-21 07:55:06 · update #1
There might be several things going on here, but nothing suggests that they are related to heart problems in any way. Coughing and the burning sensation are common when people do aerobic activities and breathe through their mouths. Breathing through the nose delivers to the lungs air that has been filtered, moisturized, and either warmed or cooled to become closer to body temperature than the outside air. You get none of these benefits when you breathe through you mouth. When running the large volume of 'untreated' air causes irritation of the bronchi and sometimes even deeper into the lungs. It takes a few minutes for the irritation to develop to the point where the body responds with secretions of mucus and fluid to protect the tissues, and then another 5-10 minutes for the secretions to coat the bronchi, and a few more minutes for the irritation to go away. This could account only for the cough and burning sensation.
The sternum pain and pressure is a little harder to explain - it could be some sort of diaphragm spasm similar to a side stitch that runners experience, a referred pain from from the bronchial irritation, a problem with displaced ribs (costochondritis), or even muscles spasms in the upper abdominal or intercostal muscles.
2007-09-21 08:33:29 · answer #1 · answered by formerly_bob 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Until you get some straight answers, don't run - walking can be just as good for conditioning and is much less stressful. But that isn't your basic problem. Your problem is with your doctor. Schedule an appointment, then tell him/her you need to know exactly what the problem is, what the long term prognosis is and what the short term treatments are.
You may have to reconsider running marathons or half marathons, or you may have to adjust your training regime. But the first thing you need to do is find out exactly what is going on.You are entitled to that information. Sometimes doctors act as though medicine is a secret, and they'll tell you what pills to take but nothing more. You have to be assertive and tell him/her that you can't be an active participant in your health regime if you don't know what's going on. And if yoru doctor is still reluctant to talk about it - get another doctor.
2007-09-21 13:56:09 · answer #2 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I could venture and say pleurisy...Inflammation of the pleura covering the lung gives a sharp pain that is associated with Cough and is more severe when taking deep breath. It makes also breathing very difficult. The condition is due to viral infection in most of the cases.
Or exercise induced ischemia...but this is not really my field of work and i am not your prescribing physician, who i assume is a cardiologist.
You as a patient are entitled to be informed of what exactly is wrong with you, so call him and ask him.
2007-09-21 13:56:44 · answer #3 · answered by AMBER D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a question you should be asking a doctor. I don't believe it belongs in Heart Diseases but may belong in Allergy. Please consult your physician as this is the only person who should be offering you a diagnosis. You cannot get one online and that is what you're seeking.
2007-09-21 13:51:06 · answer #4 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Enlarged heart, look at your echo. http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/154436
2007-09-22 06:31:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋