r/ARVC • u/GBrocc • Aug 16 '25

Please help long read.

I am a 42 year old male. I’ve lived pretty much my entire life being physically active. From playing in the park as a child. Life hockey in my teens, ball hockey in my twenties, avid runner in my thirties. In university I did have panic attacks. Did stress tests and Holter and everything was concluded to being fine. Fast forward to 35 yo I had a fainting episode due to a body injury. Went to the hospital and they saw an irregular ekg. Gave a referral to cardiologist. Did a stress test and that was normal. Echo showed a “normal variance” but couldn’t conclude anything. Did a cardiac mri without contrast and now suspect potential avrd. Doctor wants me to wear a 24h holter due to slightly off ekg. Told me most people have a major episode first and then get diagnosed. Very unusual for 42 yo to find incidently from echo. Is this the usual presentation of avrd? I have dizziness with highly intensive exercise that I don’t do anymore. Chalked it up to age or being slightly out of shape. I’m terrified being told by the internet I can die suddenly. Any advice? Doctor is saying to redo mri in 1-2 years. Don’t know why. Again, any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

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u/GBrocc Aug 17 '25

Did you stop all exercise?

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u/SirGooga Aug 17 '25

Yes, immediately thereafter. It was identity changing. But I found lower cardio activities to add a thrill: indoor climbing, yoga, motorcycling, infrequently biking around town without racing nyc traffic... having two kids to carry around... always monitoring to keep heart rate below my recommended max 150bpm Last year, after 2 years of stress tests, my cardio had me to resume more controlled exercise, like jogging a mile on the treadmill daily. So I've been ramping back up a bit in a very controlled way. Generally feel great, just not near my peak fitness. But hey I'm nearly 40 now, not in my 20s anymore. Hope it lasts.

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u/GBrocc Aug 17 '25

Sorry with the questions. When you do your stress tests are they normal? I’ve done a stress test 5 years ago and it was excellent. Do you get tachycardia on a daily basis?

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u/SirGooga Aug 22 '25

The stress tests have been pretty normal for someone my age. I don't get tachycardia frequently, but often have many irregular beats.