Despite a rare heart condition, he still runs marathons
Long-distance runner Mike Singh experienced unexplained symptoms during marathons, leading him to seek specialized care at the Mayo Clinic Sports Cardiology Clinic. The medical team successfully identified the cause of his condition by analyzing his symptoms during long-distance exertion.
Why it matters
This highlights the importance of specialized sports cardiology in diagnosing conditions that standard clinical tests often miss in high-performance athletes.
In November 2018, long-distance runner Mike Singh was competing in a marathon when he suddenly felt that something was not quite right.
“I was on mile 22 or 23,” Mike remembers.
“All of a sudden, I felt sort of out of breath, light-headed. I thought I was having a heart attack.”
However, as a confident athlete who had completed many races, Mike kept going and finished the race without further incident.
It would not be a one-time experience, though.
The symptoms would often return during Mike’s runs, usually when he pushed himself at longer distances.
Running is, and has long been, a central part of Mike’s routine.
“It’s not just exercise for me,” he says.
“Running is a huge part of my life and identity.
“The thought of losing that was a lot to process.”
Mike runs daily and trains for races throughout the year.
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