Beginning again

[Cadire]

I was just getting into cycling when I had a heart attack on July 4th not long after returning from Glastonbury (not related to the cycling I hasten to add!). That kept me off the road until today, Friday 18th September, when I was allowed to go out again as long as I took it easy.

So 10.2 miles later, I'm back at home feeling a bit sweaty, but with a huge grin on my face. I was surprisingly nervous going out again, I guess I was subconsciously imagining every twinge as being another MI

I also feel a bit tired, but that is probably because I have done sod all for over 9 weeks except watch daytime TV (ask me anything about Bargain Hunt). I'm thinking that perhaps the hybrid is a bit heavy for me at the moment, and so I'm thinking of getting a road bike instead (or in addition to). Though to be honest I do need to lose a bit of weight before then... maybe that will be my reward for reaching my weight goal

Anyway, no real point to this post, I just wanted to share my general cycling happiness!

Cheers all

 

[welsh dragon]

Glad to hear your on the road to recovery and back on the bike. Good luck.

 

[derrick]

You will find quite a few on here who have had heart probs, but we don't let it stop us riding, Keep it up

 

[cyberknight]

I was just getting into cycling when I had a heart attack on July 4th not long after returning from Glastonbury (not related to the cycling I hasten to add!). That kept me off the road until today, Friday 18th September, when I was allowed to go out again as long as I took it easy.

So 10.2 miles later, I'm back at home feeling a bit sweaty, but with a huge grin on my face. I was surprisingly nervous going out again, I guess I was subconsciously imagining every twinge as being another MI

I also feel a bit tired, but that is probably because I have done sod all for over 9 weeks except watch daytime TV (ask me anything about Bargain Hunt). I'm thinking that perhaps the hybrid is a bit heavy for me at the moment, and so I'm thinking of getting a road bike instead (or in addition to). Though to be honest I do need to lose a bit of weight before then... maybe that will be my reward for reaching my weight goal

Anyway, no real point to this post, I just wanted to share my general cycling happiness!

Cheers all

Great news and what colour is the presenters glasses ?

 

[Effyb4]

That's great. Take it nice and easy and enjoy. Cycling was brilliant in helping me recover from my heart attack and emergency bypass. I still have heart failure, but I am able to do much more when I am cycling regularly.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

Great news that you are back on the bike again. I to have been absent from my two wheel friend for about two years... and only got back into it this summer, and feel great. Carry on the good work.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Have you been offered Cardio Rehab? I found it really helpful and the follow up programme at the local sports centre was too. I 've not had a heart attack, but have a total of 5 stents, and a couple of balloon angioplasties prior to that. The last 2 stents 3 years ago. I was back on the bike within quite a short time, in fact well before I'd finished the Rehab course - we had to keep a record of our daily exercise, and the rehab nurse was somewhat surprised by the weekly miles! However I was pretty fit before the procedure, and I knew what to expect having had stents fitted before. It is very understandable that you will be nervous at first, but the Rehab programme covers this and other aspects. If it isn't offered by the hospital it is worth asking your GP if it is available in your area.

 

[Cadire]

Have you been offered Cardio Rehab? I found it really helpful and the follow up programme at the local sports centre was too. I 've not had a heart attack, but have a total of 5 stents, and a couple of balloon angioplasties prior to that. The last 2 stents 3 years ago. I was back on the bike within quite a short time, in fact well before I'd finished the Rehab course - we had to keep a record of our daily exercise, and the rehab nurse was somewhat surprised by the weekly miles! However I was pretty fit before the procedure, and I knew what to expect having had stents fitted before. It is very understandable that you will be nervous at first, but the Rehab programme covers this and other aspects. If it isn't offered by the hospital it is worth asking your GP if it is available in your area.

Yes I was offered cardiac rehab, but we agreed that I would cycle rather than go to the gym, I just report in once a week. They were very helpful and explained the difficulties that I would have while taking beta blockets, which was valuable information.

I went to Royal Brompton for a cardiac MRI and I'm just waiting to hear back from that. It has been suggested that i was suffering from myocarditis (sudden death syndrome... Not the greatest name ever for a condition!).

Thanks for all your likes and replies, they are very encouraging.

To finish up, I have to say that the 10 miles was probably way too much. My better half and I have had a 'full and frank' discussion about me overdoing it, and so I'll be doing less miles for a while

 

[Colin_P]

As I've said on Strava, I think you did rather well.

Cardio MRI's, oh what fun they are! Two great big fat canula needles, one in each elbow and the most exiting is bit is when they tell you that not only and whilst you are emtombed in a metal cylinder, they are going to give you a drug that will make your heart think you have just run a marathon. That was almost enough to make me have (another) cardiac arrest.

Also had my MRI at the Brompton.

Did they mention anything about getting an ICD? I've got one and they are great.

 

[Cadire]

Indeed Colin. Laying inside a cylinder feeling like you cant breathe (when they inject the exercise fluid) is definitely not something I am keen to repeat!

I should be seeing my consultant on the next week or so, when I guess he'll advise me of what needs to be done .

 

[Batgirl]

Hi and welcome, no great advice as am a newbie still but glad you're feeling better and on the road to fitness. I can appreciate the loss of weight (am nearly 2 stone down now - slimming world was my choice for support but not for everyone I know). Well done listening to your Mrs too .