Cycling after heart attack

[BrumJim]

I'd argue that's not following medical advice myself.

It more difficult when you partake in a hard sport such as cycling. A degree of pain is expected on a long ride or going up a steep hill for example

There is a difference between laziness and listening to your body. I think in this case, the temporary pain from going on a long ride or up a steep hill is to be expected. If your recovery is taking a lot longer, you've probably pushed it too hard that time, so back off the intensity a bit.

So I think the summary of comments above is:
1. If your body is telling you that life would be better if you sat at home scoffing biscuits, ignore it.
2. If your body is telling you that the hill ahead is too big, ignore it.
3. If you are half way up a hill and getting pains where you don't usually get them, slow down. If they get worse, stop. If your legs are telling you it is too much, tell them to shut up.
4. If you it takes you a day or two for your legs to recover and to have the same energy again, you are getting old. Wait, but carry on.
5. If you feel fatigued for longer than that, wind it back (the exercise).
6. If you get other complications that might be related, that could be your body telling you to cool it a bit.

 

[PaulSB]

Put like that it makes sense. But I'd argue that's something most of us do anyway....
As I age I am more diligent with pre ride warm up and post ride stretches - I rest when I am ill , I am more careful with what I eat.

To me that's looking after yourself and following general advice.

I agree with you and feel you're doing exactly what's needed as we age. I do though believe that recovery from serious medical issues or an injury is enhanced by listening to the injured area. I know the movements which are still impacting my body post RTC. I don't rest those areas, to do so could exasperate the problem, but I am controlled as I build back to my previous levels.

 

[PaulSB]

I'd argue that's not following medical advice myself.

It more difficult when you partake in a hard sport such as cycling. A degree of pain is expected on a long ride or going up a steep hill for example

I completely agree with your first sentence.

On ocassions the highlighted part is true but in my opinion it should only be ocassional.

 

[PaulSB]

There is a difference between laziness and listening to your body. I think in this case, the temporary pain from going on a long ride or up a steep hill is to be expected. If your recovery is taking a lot longer, you've probably pushed it too hard that time, so back off the intensity a bit.

So I think the summary of comments above is:
1. If your body is telling you that life would be better if you sat at home scoffing biscuits, ignore it.
2. If your body is telling you that the hill ahead is too big, ignore it.
3. If you are half way up a hill and getting pains where you don't usually get them, slow down. If they get worse, stop. If your legs are telling you it is too much, tell them to shut up.
4. If you it takes you a day or two for your legs to recover and to have the same energy again, you are getting old. Wait, but carry on.
5. If you feel fatigued for longer than that, wind it back (the exercise).
6. If you get other complications that might be related, that could be your body telling you to cool it a bit.

Very much in agreement with this especially point 4. My regular cycling buddies and myself, 68 - 70, have all learned we need more rest than a few years ago. We can still cycle with the same intensity and endurance but need/should take a couple of days rest before we go again. We tend now to have one big ride a week and a couple of easy cafe runs. In days gone by two, even three, big rides were possible.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I have not (yet!) had a heart attack - but I do have asthma and it can appear at unpredictable times

which is one reason that I use an ebike

I can ride along happily in the lowest power assist setting - or with it in "off" mode - quite happily
but every now and again I will come to a hill or a head wind and my breathing gets rather laboured

With the ebike I can slow down to about 10-12 mph and up the power assist levels and I know I will have help getting home without pushing my limits too far
so I could go further without worrying whether or not I could get home

 

[presta]

Rest is as important to the body as exercise. It's during the rest period the body rebuilds itself.

This.

5. If you feel fatigued for longer than that, wind it back (the exercise).

The insidious thing about chronic fatigue is that the symptoms don't necessarily feel much like fatigue.