Q:
I have noticed within the past few weeks that whenever I engage in any semi-strenuous exercise (running up multiple flights of stairs, swimming laps, etc.) my heart rate increases very rapidly and seems to pound harder than it usually would. I can feel it strongly on my ribs if I place my hand over them and sometimes it seems like my heart almost skips a beat or does an extra beat when I take in a deep breath (while exercising.) It really scared me the first time it happened but I figured it might just be that I'm not in really good shape. Also, I have asthma that is often exercise induced so I thought that could have something to do with it. I also read on a website that caffeine can contribute to heart palpitations but I don't usually have more than one or two cups of coffee a day (or none at all.) Could this be something serious? Thanks for your advice.
A:
Any change in exercise tolerance needs evaluation. It could be that your rapid heart rate is related to caffeine, or your asthma meds, or not getting good oxygenation because of your reactive airways, but it is best to be evaluated as there could be metabolic causes such as a high thyroid level or other explanation that we can sort out.
~The Doc
