In January 2024, we’re dedicating an entire month to giving you the latest updates on sports and exercise participation for SADS conditions.
This includes the newest guidelines for all of our SADS conditions (including ARVC), and several chances to get your specific questions about exercise and sports participation answered by top experts.
We’re collecting questions to use in our FAQs on social media and to get the conversation started at the upcoming Q&As. You can post your questions below, and also comment on others’ questions.
What would be considered a target heart rate for someone with criteria for ARVC? (Gene elusive). Im so confused by what is considered safe or not. Gaining weight by so little activity isn’t the answer.
My son did a genetic testing after experiencing his 1 and only V T episode 16 months ago (August 2022) it was discovered he the PK2K gene. He had 2 MRI, several echocardiogram, numerous event monitors, stress test and tons of EKG’s, all appears normal. His cardiologist are not expert in ARVC, so no instructions on what type of exercise he should be doing even though he hasn’t been diagnosed with ARVC. He was told to not to strenuous exercises, but no instructions on what he can do! Is there a list of exercises?
Not exactly a sports question, but I’ve seen conflicting views on whether or not kids with ICDs can jump on trampolines. Would love to know the answer!
Wakeboarding and water sports with ICD implant for LQT3
What are the recommendations?
Also have ARVC, used to be a keen runner/lifted weights. Two ICD shocks in 5 weeks means I am down to no exercise at all. Whilst I accept that exercise can progress this disease, my mental health is suffering. Simply doing nothing cannot be the answer (I know I can walk!) not in this day in age… please can you offer some guidance. 41 yo mum so also need to about wider health implications as I enter peri menopause.
Should kids with Long QT play sports? What are the risks?
LQT1 treated with nadolol and have a pacemaker (due to bradycardia caused by nadolol). No ICD; No symptoms.
What is the risk of a breakthrough event during a marathon (over 20km ) open water swim? Does water temperature play a part?
LQT1 Female 53. In asymptomatic patients (diagnosis due to QT over 500 and positive genetic test); Is nadolol really necessary? If there have been no fainting episodes why the need for medication? Have any studies been done on the combined effect of peri-menopause and the use beta blockers on metabolism and weight gain?
I have LQT2. I’ve never had an event while exercising but have been told I’m never allowed to run again and can’t allow my heart rate over 120. Is this consistent with worldwide advice?
19 y/o female asymptomatic with no family hx has screening ECG with QTc of 480-490 msec. She is a yr round athlete training 6 hrs per week.
Longest QTc was on screening with QTc of 450-460 on subsequent tracing.
QTc in recovery on stress test was 530 msec.
Gene negative.
Would you allow her to open water swim?
Rock climb outdoors?
Scuba dive?
thx
LQT1 genetically confirmed. 48 year old female. Former Les mills fitness instructor, teaching/ attending 10hrs of classes per week prior to fainting episode – first and only episode of fainting was at age 46 during light jogging exercise and whilst taking sertraline.
Exercise test (whilst no treatment) showed Qt interval shortening during test, worked at 13 METs hitting 97% max heart rate at 10 minutes. Did show prolonged QTc 502 at 4th minute of recovery. no significant family history. Currently taking 1.25mg nebivolol as couldn’t tolerate nadalol. 50 lbs in weight gain due to previous advice to avoid exercise following faint.
What is opinion on me being able to go back to previous exercise classes (spin, Bodycombat, Bodypump) now protected by beta blocker? QTc prior to taking beta blocker was around 480.
LQT1 on Nadolol. Are ice baths safe? Is ice swimming safe?
What have been your experiences with DSP patients? Do you have different recommendations for those with right-sided arrhythmias versus left-sided heart failure?
I have two kids with long qt type 1. At what point do you consider exercise a time where they need a defibrillator around? Are sports considered high risk in high school or when an elementary school kid is running in PE?
What parameters are measured and monitored to estimate progression? Diagnosed with MRI and genetic testing at 49YO (also late to diagnose ASD, 33YO. Very healthy with regular echos that kept attributing dilation to serious exercise/training.
Can you please comment a little about the integrity of leads and whether certain exercises/sports should be entertained with caution? I had a semper fidelis lead (which was part of a recall and thus had to be capped), and have been told not to engage in exercise with a swinging motion – i.e., golf, tennis. Aside from the issue with the raising the heart rate, what are your thoughts?
I have ARVC and 14YO daughter and 11YO son have genetic marker but nothing showing concern in first echo. Should I carry AED with me? They play football, hockey, lacrosse. My concern is more for the field sports where there may not be an easily accessible AED. Also my son had an ablation in early 2023 for WPW.
14 year old son with lqt 3 and history of many syncopal events. He does well on nadolol and fludrocortisone and no syncope in last couple of years. He played football in middle school and would like to continue at high school level. We live in the South. Are there any concerns with that level of football training and the Summer heat with an lqt 3 patient?
Should certain lifts be avoided in the weight room with an ICD? My EP says snatching, overhead pressing, bench pressing, pushups, pull-ups, and other lifts that activate the chest muscles should be avoided since that can press the leads against the collar bone and fracture the leads. Recently, other friends with an ICD say their EP says this is not a concern as the devices and leads are far more durable than they used to be and to continue life in the weight room as they would without an ICD.
My 15 year old son with CPVT has an ICD. He’s on Nadolol and there has been no events since his cardiac arrest almost 4 years ago. What sports can he train? Can he exercise soccer, weight lifting…Is there some exercises that he must avoid because of the ICD, like push ups, watersports….?