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Apr 2014
8:52am, 27 Apr 2014
38 posts
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Bserunner
A little background. I am rapidly approaching 60 and slightly overweight (bmi of 26). Due to previous alcohol problems I have heart failure and kidney failure. My last scan shows that the left and right sides of my heart have got their act together, but my heart is never going to recover.
My non running doc says jogging is fine providing I keep below 140bpm. Even the shortest hill takes me way over this so I walk. Am I being a wmp or should I to keep running? It just feels like cheating.
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Apr 2014
9:06am, 27 Apr 2014
29,609 posts
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Velociraptor
Bserunner, is the 140bpm based on the actual stats from tests of your cardiac function or a number your doc has plucked out of the air? If the former (and presumably you've had a treadmill test), I would strongly advise accepting the recommendation. Running isn't good for every individual, and for some people hard exercise is inappropriate.
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Apr 2014
11:50am, 27 Apr 2014
39 posts
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Bserunner
Good question. It is 10 years since I did the treadmill test and about 5 since I asked a different doc about using a treadmill. He came up with the 140bpm. This was easy enough in the gym, but the outside world is a bit more hilly. I think I will try for an appointment with my new doc and double check.
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Apr 2014
1:00pm, 27 Apr 2014
1,361 posts
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Cyclops
Are you allowed to swim? I love swimming.
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Apr 2014
1:15pm, 27 Apr 2014
392 posts
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Dodgem
If I was you I would walk to keep below the 140bpm on hills. This is good training strategy anyway and all being well you'll soon find that you can do more whilst still staying below the 140 mark. However, I am not a doctor and the above suggestion is based on completely accepting the docs advice.
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Apr 2014
7:03pm, 27 Apr 2014
29,611 posts
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Velociraptor
How does 140bpm feel subjectively, Bserunner?
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Apr 2014
7:04am, 28 Apr 2014
40 posts
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Bserunner
I would not be able to hold a conversation at 140. 130 is easy. I must go over the instructions of my HRM. Get it to beep at me when I go over 140.
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Apr 2014
7:39am, 28 Apr 2014
29,615 posts
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Velociraptor
Sounds as if your doc's given you good advice, Bserunner. It would do no harm to ask about having at least basic cardiac function tests repeated (an exercise tolerance test and echocardiogram), explaining specifically to your GP that you're looking at doing competitive sport but want to make sure you do so safely, but in the meantime staying at a conversational effort level would be wise 
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Apr 2014
10:14am, 28 Apr 2014
10,625 posts
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SODIron © 2002
Listen to V...she's talking sense and has some experience.
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Apr 2014
10:57am, 28 Apr 2014
50,569 posts
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plodding hippo
Even if you didnt have a heart problem, received wisdom is when you start running, you should be able to hold a conversation
Or you are running too fast
That might involve some walking initially until you get used to it all
Just wondering(I am a doc too-a kidney one though)--are you not on beta blockers?
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