Is it safe to run or walk in between EKGs?
Patient: Hi, I am a 24 year old female and I run 25-30 miles per week. I have a normal blood pressure (one teens over seventies usually) and a normal resting heart rate at around 58 bpm. I have no history of cardiac illness, and neither does anyone in my family. Recently, I had an annual physical at my university’s clinic, and I asked to have an EKG ran (no chest pain, just curious what it said). It stated that I was in “sinus bradycardia” but that, with the msec, “-Left axis for age- possible anterior fascicular block.”  My friend (a nurse practitioner) is wondering if it is artifact, because some of the leads don’t  show the block. I plan to have the EKG repeated, but my question is this: is it safe to run/walk/jog in between EKGs? Doctor: Hi There After reading the details I understand your concern and I would like to assure you that you are alright. Any heart rate below 60 bpm is known as BRADYCARDIA, so the EKG machine will mark it as Sinus bradycardia but as you have an athletic running schedule a rate of below 60 is normal for you.Yes that could be an artifact and it's safe for you to go for a run. Wish you good health