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What Causes High Heart Rate And Palpitations While Playing Tennis?
Question: I'm a 45 years old man. Pretty fitted for the most part. In 2010 I had a very minor issue with my hear that was ruled a possible heart attack. It was all due to stress at that time. I was left with no secondary issues. However, I have a 6 months check with my cardiology and there was nothing wrong ever found. Now, I play tennis almost every week , sometimes 3 times per week. So I keep myself very active. From time to time when I play extra hard because my opponent is a good player , I get very agitated and when I'm in the highest heart rhythm I feel my palpitations are very weird and all over the place that I have to usually sit down for a few minutes and calm down and then I keep playing but I get scared and can't play with the same intensity. Do you think my heart is weak ? Do you think this is something to worry about ? What could this be ? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your medical history and would like to explain that coming to the point you are frequently involved in high energy consuming levels of tennis play, it may be concluded with a great certainty that your heart fits quite well.
The most important issue of reference in our discussion is the fact that all your previous cardiac tests (resting ECG, cardiac ultrasound and cardiac stress test) have concluded normal.
This means, your cardiac structure and function are perfectly normal.
A hypothetical alternative opinion that your heart may result weak is denied.
So, what I would like to assure you is the confirmation that there is nothing to worry about.
You should know that playing tennis involves quite a lot of burning energy.
Tennis is considered a high-energy consuming game. Converting our comparison in energy units, I would specify that our consuming energy level during highly strenuous tennis may exceed around 7-8 METS (Metabolic Equivalent of Task).
While in the resting state we consume around 1 MET (3.5 ml O2 per kg body weight per minute), playing tennis needs 7-8 folds this energy requirement, which is a slightly lower that engaging in extremely strenuous sports (weight lifting, climbing mountains, swimming, etc.).
So, coming to this point, I would assure that your heart is doing perfectly well.
You just need to relax your mind!
The only advice is to follow an escalated increasing physical strain during tennis and other sports activities.
This will permit you body to maintain active as long as possible aerobic metabolism as well as successfully cope an appropriate switching to anaerobic metabolism as needed.
Hope you will find my answer of some help!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me at any time.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your medical history and would like to explain that coming to the point you are frequently involved in high energy consuming levels of tennis play, it may be concluded with a great certainty that your heart fits quite well.
The most important issue of reference in our discussion is the fact that all your previous cardiac tests (resting ECG, cardiac ultrasound and cardiac stress test) have concluded normal.
This means, your cardiac structure and function are perfectly normal.
A hypothetical alternative opinion that your heart may result weak is denied.
So, what I would like to assure you is the confirmation that there is nothing to worry about.
You should know that playing tennis involves quite a lot of burning energy.
Tennis is considered a high-energy consuming game. Converting our comparison in energy units, I would specify that our consuming energy level during highly strenuous tennis may exceed around 7-8 METS (Metabolic Equivalent of Task).
While in the resting state we consume around 1 MET (3.5 ml O2 per kg body weight per minute), playing tennis needs 7-8 folds this energy requirement, which is a slightly lower that engaging in extremely strenuous sports (weight lifting, climbing mountains, swimming, etc.).
So, coming to this point, I would assure that your heart is doing perfectly well.
You just need to relax your mind!
The only advice is to follow an escalated increasing physical strain during tennis and other sports activities.
This will permit you body to maintain active as long as possible aerobic metabolism as well as successfully cope an appropriate switching to anaerobic metabolism as needed.
Hope you will find my answer of some help!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me at any time.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the answer. I dont have any other question at the moment.
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have been helpful!
If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask me!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have been helpful!
If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask me!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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