Heart Stuff
I haven’t talked about this stuff in a while. That is because, thankfully, nothing crazy has happened. But, it seems like a reasonable time for an update.
I take a tiny dose of beta blocker every day. It does make me dizzy when I stand up, but I haven’t passed out yet and I have slowly learned not to get up too fast.
I still have a lot of ventricular beats, particularly after exercise (strength or walking, or going up more than one flight of stairs). I now have enough experience with my Apple Watch that I can tell when I’m in bigeminy or if I’m having more doublets etc. I do think — aside from the post-workout stuff — the overall number of these beats has gone down since starting the beta blocker, which is good. (I will be doing a monitor in September to quantify this).
I am exercising an amount that I feel good about: combo of strength, yoga, and walking, currently doing a 5-day split (heavier weights/longer rest). I think it’s a fine combo for health/body composition and I generally enjoy it. And, I think it is within the ‘recommended dose’ range for ARVC though I probably should count up the metabolic hours. I know it is A LOT LESS than I used to do. My Apple Watch is not shy about telling me this.
I don’t go back to the cardiologist until October (local one) and plan on revisiting Hopkins around May of 2027, which is . . . quite a while from now. The kids are all cleared except for wearable monitors which they will do between camp + school.
My defibrillator hasn’t gone off. I dislike sleeping on it. I wish I didn’t have to have it. I know it is still advised but it does seem like a nuisance to have something like this when on any given day the chances of it being needed are SO LOW. (The problem is that the stakes are so high when you do need it — I get it. Statistically my arrhythmia risk is high enough that I don’t think anyone would tell me to take it out but sometimes I just kind of . . . wish it wasn’t there).
I also wish I could say I didn’t think about my medical stuff on a daily basis but I am reminded pretty much every time I feel palpitations/extra beats (which is most days) or when I feel the effects of the beta blockers. So it’s not really something I can just totally forget about.
I am not tempted to run, but I did have a dream where I spent a lengthy amount of time getting ready to run, waiting for the weather to clear up, and then just as I was heading out remembered that I wasn’t supposed to be doing that. It was a bit of a let down.
BUT I also have perspective that so many people have medical things they are dealing with, many of them much much more intrusive / painful / scarier than mine. I am pretty much . . . at the same “happiness set point” level I was at before. (I think this is just human nature in some ways, right!?).
SOOOO there we are!
On a superficial and only slightly related note:
I definitely do not need the same number of calories as when I was running, so in my search for treats that are not super calorie-dense but still enjoyable, I found these:
Love them. They have a whole slew of flavors and I kind of want to try them all. (I don’t really actually like Greek yogurt so I never bought them before, but they do not taste like yogurt at all to me — they just taste like ice cream. To me, anyway!)
One more side note!
If you want to hear me talk about something other than planning, I’m on the PedsDocTalk podcast this week talking about early puberty (yes, a podcast that relates to my clinical job)! I know the host Dr. Mona from work and she’s lovely, and it was fun to use the podcast part of my brain AND clinical side at the same time, since that doesn’t happen all that often for me!
14 Comments
We love those yogurt bars, too. Especially mint chocolate chip! It feels like an easy “yes” treat for the kids.
Glad you’re doing well and adjusting to your “new normal,” despite the challenges.
Podcast downloaded and I’m looking forward to listening to it.
I’ve had those bars before, but I’d forgotten about them. The sea salt caramel was always my go-to. Pistachio brittle sounds like it was made me for. I know what’s going on the grocery list!
It’s been very inspiring to watch how you have navigated this huge life change for you and your family. Sending you positive thoughts and glad to see you have a bit of a new normal!
I love yasso bars! When I had gestational diabetes, they were the only treat I could have!
How do you navigate other things that really mess with HR. I’m thinking scary movies, exciting things like rollercoaster rides, couple time (do not need to know specifics obvs), nervousness before big talks or flying or whatever? I ask because my best friend has been diagnosed with afib in her late 40s and is struggling to get a handle on it. She’s overweight and addressing that in the hope it will prevent the ongoing need for beta blockers making weight loss less challenging. Thank you.
beta blockers has been my answer 🙁 (a very tiny dose).
if she drinks caffeine definitely something to limit/cut down on, too.
My mom buys the mint chocolate chip version of these as well, and they are so good!
I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how you’re doing without running- and the answer seems to be, totally fine. I’ve read that we all have a natural “happiness set point” and while our happiness level can go up and down depending on circumstances (winning the lottery, having a health issue) we tend to go back to our set point eventually.
i would throw away that Apple watch!
Yeah the AI reminders of your deteriorating fitness can be a real downer when you have to scale back the exercise due to injury or whatever reason. This is one of the reasons I gave my garmin to my husband. I found the body battery reminders to be particularly obnoxious, especially when my battery was at “7” and I still had a night of call ahead of me. I do find my step count reminders to be helpful to track my walking and recently started parking farther away to increase my daily steps.
Trying to ease into eating less just generally and seem to have gotten down from 145 to about… 138 or so since March (depending on what time of day I weigh myself, how dehydrated I am, etc.). If I have any sort of treat like this in the house I absolutely CANNOT control myself, so I abstain completely.
that is awesome! I was thinking of you doing the Anna Greenberg yoga/pilates combos. They are quickly becoming my new favorite on non-weightlifting days.
Aw! I’m so glad you like her workouts! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
Every time I am on Strava, I love seeing your workout updates, Sarah. I know it’s so much different from what you’re used to, but I am glad you’re able to adjust to a new routine.
P.S. Yasso Bars are amazing.
Hi Sarah. I thought of you when I read this. Stay positive! Also, I work for the company that makes your ICD – you are in good hands.
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/motivation/a64714211/rebecca-reid-marathon-world-record/
Thanks Sarah! I wish mine was idiopathic (it’s not, all the imaging stuff that was negative on her was positive on me, so I am not going to be able to run again like she is). But I”m happy for her!