Hi doctor,
I am a 38-year-old male with no current known medical conditions or history of heart problems. I am fit and active. Currently training for my second ultra marathon, and my diet is relatively healthy. I do not smoke. I used to drink two to four beers a week. I have previously been a heavy drinker (4 to10 standards a day for 2 to3 years, but that ended some years before). I have not consumed any alcohol for the past two to three months.
About four weeks ago, I had the flu, which included four days of 38.5 Celsius fever. I was feeling well again and commenced running easily again. This feeling lasted about five to six days. I started experiencing chest tightness that was present regardless of what I was doing. I noticed my heart rate (monitored by a chest strap heart rate monitor) was 20 to 30 BPM (beats per minute) higher while running, even at a slower pace than normal. This is also the case while walking. I am finding it more difficult than it normally is, particularly upstairs. I can always feel my heart pounding in my chest, even while resting at a 60 BPM or lower HR. I can even feel the heartbeat to the point I can count beats without using devices. I saw my general physicians, who ordered a number of tests. The three of relevance were blood pressure - 140/80 mm Hg, ECG indicating ‘Sinus Rhythm R > R in V1/V2 Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block’, and elevated GGT (64 U/L). He was unable to hear anything with a stethoscope. He referred me to a cardiologist, but the wait time is significant. So I am looking for more of an idea of what could be the issue, whether I should avoid any running, and whether there is anything else I should avoid. I am particularly concerned about driving with my children in the car if something happens.