Forums >Health and Nutrition>Myocardial Bridge
Hi folks. New here. I'm trying to get any info about a congenital heart condition I've recently been diagnosed with- a myocardial bridge.
An MB is when a small section of you heart muscle passes over one of your cardiac arteries. The overlying muscle constricts circulation during the systolic phase, but allows it during the diastolic phase of the heartbeat. It's a very common condition but most people will go through life with no symptoms and therefore be totally unaware of it. On the other hand, it has been known to cause sudden death in otherwise healthy athletes.
My story- I'm healthy, 57 years old. Surfing is my prime activity. When I turned 50, to mark that milestone, I decided to try and see if I could run a marathon. I did well, finishing in under 4 hours (Los Angeles Marathon). The last five miles I was swearing I would never do it again but as soon as I finished I was elated and determined to try again. I've done the LA Marathon every year since, even got a BQ time in 2016 of 3:23:34. I couldn't go to Boston that year but wanted to try again. I've done 7 LA Marathons with all the training that implies and have learned to love distance running.
Then this summer I would feel chest tightness at the start of some of my runs. Nothing debilitating (I'd keep running)but definitely noticeable. I mentioned it to my MD during my annual physical. He said since I have no high blood pressure and no high cholesterol that he didn't think it was my heart but ordered a stress test anyways. There were "anomalies." I was referred to a cardiologist who ordered an angiogram and that's when they discovered the MB.
There is one "mystery" regarding my condition (cardiologist's word). I will feel tightness a few minutes into my run even going real slow. If I continue slow it goes away and doesn't come back. I've been continuing to run up to ten miles after the tightness goes away. He says maybe the other arteries take up the slack. He said I could keep running, but maybe not marathons. Another cardiologist says it might be endorphins kicking in and masking the pain and maybe I shouldn't be running..
Should I run?
I keep a ten foot pole around for these very questions.
And when these very questions come up, I look at the question. Then I look at the pole.
And then I say to myself, "I ain't touchin' it".
runktrun
Might as well run.
I'm in a similar situation, just found out. Moderately enlarged left atrium (50% bigger), with mild mitral valve regurgitation. Enlarged LA correlates with all sorts of great stuff like stroke and early heart failure. All other metrics are normal. Docs seem stumped, general consensus seems to be that I can keep running, but continue to watch it for changes. Maybe we've adapted to just work with what we have? I will be seeking out a specialist, though.
Not running for my health, but in spite of it.
There is one "mystery" regarding my condition (cardiologist's word). I will feel tightness a few minutes into my run even going real slow. If I continue slow it goes away and doesn't come back. I've been continuing to run up to ten miles after the tightness goes away. He says maybe the other arteries take up the slack. He said I could keep running, but maybe not marathons. Another cardiologist says it might be endorphins kicking in and masking the pain and maybe I shouldn't be running.. Should I run?
I doubt that even a subspecialist can tell you definitively what to do, or guarantee outcome, good or bad.
I'd be taking a daily baby aspirin, though, if I were you, unless I was allergic to it.
Might as well run. I'm in a similar situation, just found out. Moderately enlarged left atrium (50% bigger), with mild mitral valve regurgitation. Enlarged LA correlates with all sorts of great stuff like stroke and early heart failure. All other metrics are normal. Docs seem stumped, general consensus seems to be that I can keep running, but continue to watch it for changes. Maybe we've adapted to just work with what we have? I will be seeking out a specialist, though.
Do you do anytihng differently?
My #1 Cardiologist said to run with a heart rate monitor. I've tried but it doesn't tell me much. I was thinking I should run with one of those health alert devices just in case...
Right now: no. Going to continue running easy miles and won't race until I get more info.
I don't think a sports-oriented HR monitor would tell you much. It will miss things like extra beats, partial beats (bigeminy),and short periods of Afib. Do you have any previous cadiac studies for comparison?
I will be following up with a cardiologist familiar with athletes because I think someone else is going here besides "athlete's heart." I've had poorly managed hashimotos/hypothyroidism for years and there's correlation between heart issues, MVP, and thyroid disease.