heart condition but i want to run. can anyone help?

Is running really that important you'd risk your life ? Talk to your doctor!

Is running really that important you'd risk your life ? Talk to your doctor!

I agree... I would be asking your doctor this. No one here is qualified to give you any advice on this. You need to speak with your doctor and follow their advice. It could kill you if you do something wrong ... running may be too much for you to handle.

I would specifically ask your doctor about running and not exercise in general - it's quite a specific stress on the heart and a lot of young, fit people die of undiagnosed conditions during races every year.

If and only if you're definitely sure you have medical clearance, do a programme like Couch TO 5k (C25K) BUT take it extra slow - both do the running intervals much slower than you think you're capable of, and I'd do each week twice over to take it really steady.

Here's a link to all the C25K resources:
http://www.c25k.com/

And here are my beginner's running tips:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

Bear in mind point one:
When you start out, it’s HARD! Even if you think you’re fit, running is so different to anything else you’ve done before you will get out of breath quickly. Stick with it. Can’t manage a minute? Go slow. Still can’t? GO SLOWER!

Finally, make sure the race organisers are aware of your condition and wear an emergency bracelet.

If you don't get clearance to run, is there any reason you can't power-walk the race?

Oh my dear. You need to go to the doctor and get a complete check-up and recommendation for the exercise you are allowed to do. I too have a mild heart condition, and I used to be a runner. When I had my physical last January my doctor forbade me from running. She said I can walk. Now I can walk pretty fast without triggering any heart issues but apparently when I run I gallop and my heart can't take it. Now that I'm significantly lighter perhaps I'll be able to resume running but I will wait until I see my doctor again to determine that.

If at all possible when you see your doctor get a cardiac stress test. Then you will be able to see for yourself, this is how my heart reacts when I'm walking, running, etc.

Is running really that important you'd risk your life ? Talk to your doctor!

Yeah I agree with this...

But after talking to your doctor and getting the okay to start running, I'd start out walking for longer periods, then jogging, then running for short periods. Work your way up slowly. Definitely under your doctor's supervision.

I need to lose alot of weight because i want to be healthy and my husband and i are looking forward to having a baby. I signed up for the Neon Splash Dash and i am super excited about it. I have three months to get my self to the point that i can run 3.1 miles. I walk about an hour a day and go about 3 miles but that walking. i want to be able to run. the only thing is i have Ventricular tachycardia and it could make me pass out or have a heart attack. I am only 26 and have never had that happen before but thats because when i feel an attach coming i have to damn near meditate and concentrate on slowing my heart down. (its a skill i posses lol) so any advice and help would be awesome!!

Your cardiologist will determine for you if it's safe or not. DO NOT RELY ON AN ANSWER HERE.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

First things first. The obligatory. Talk to your doctor. This is my experience.

I have the same thing. Mine is very mild the last time the Dr talked to me about it.

I ran over 1200 kilometres last year. 20 kilometres yesterday alone.

Start with something like the couch to 5k program which starts with 30 seconds of running at a time. And go from there.

If you start getting light headed or dizzy then stop and walk.

Your cardiologist will determine for you if it's safe or not. DO NOT RELY ON AN ANSWER HERE.

SECONDED.

its a run, walk , or whatever. its not really a race just something to have fun. mainley a goal for me to work twards.

I think it's great that you set a concrete goal to work towards... you go girl!

Now, I would recommend speaking to your doctor (preferably your cardiologist) about what your limits are and perhaps have him/her set up a starting program for you? You may have to undergo a stress test to figure out how to get going.

That said, starting with an interval training program such as Couch to 5K (C25K) is a great idea.

Well, I am a doctor and this really needs a one to one between you and your Cardiologist. Extremely unwise to ask this question on a forum. VT potentially fatal and often managed with an ICD device.