Posted by Anders Kingstedt on October 17, 2001 at 14:48:15:
In Reply to: Re: Heart rate posted by Terry Gann on October 15, 2001 at 15:47:42:
Yes! I too believe that the reason to why the heartbeat is elevated post op is that the heart is subjected to much "trauma". The scaring etc. also affects the heart's flexibility, which manifests itself in a slow response time when, e g, you're out running. Since the heart needs "more time" to get adjusted to the increased workload, the result will be a feeling of fatigue and/or an onset of lactic acid (the latter I can still feel when running hills, especially in the early stages of a run). The feeling of resistence (lacking a better description) will probably gradually decrease over time. For me, personally, the overall physical level, 2 ½ years past the Maze is markedly better in this respect. Over the last year, things have really improved quickly. I've been racing (running) three times the last month, and things almost, if not exactly, feel like before. I don't know what my pulse has come down to, but I would guess around 55 from around 90 after the op.
So just hang in there all you Mazers - things will improve, in all respects!
Best regards, Anders