My primary physician spotted a funny waveform on my EKG and referred me to a cardiologist. Today was the stress echocardiogram - dynamic imaging of the heart before and after a stress test with 12 lead EKG. I asked the exercise physiologist if she could provide an estimate of VO2 max based on the test, and she did. (Thanks Eileen!)
Bruce protocol was used - I stopped the test at 13 mins (1 minute into stage 5). VO2 max calculated is 53 ml/kg/min. This is a superior rating - for 20-29 year olds.
Doesn't, by any means, make me an elite or world class athlete (Lance Armstrong has a VO2 max in the 80's). It does lay claim to an extraordinary fitness level, low risk of heart disease and validation for training in combination with weights and intense metabolic loads.
And the echocardiogram showed good filling in all 4 chambers. The cardiologist's statement were that some of my chamber walls were "kissing each other" - complete contraction like they should.
I think I'll keep exercising.
John, so you mean to tell me that this excercise stuff not only makes you look good but also helps give you optimal health?
ReplyDeleteNot sure I can lay claim to looking good......but optimal, extraordinary, remarkable health I can make a credible claim to have in hand.
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