Does the risk of cardiac problems put you off?

[Lonestar]

I think the risk of keeling over will be significantly greater if I don't exercise.

I keeled over recently but that was on blasted cobblestones at East India.

But no.I'm not worried.

 

[numbnuts]

I have a blocked blood vessel in my heart, nothing can be done, I was a bit worried at first on how hard to push it so I played on the turbo at first as a just in case, but now with the medication I'm fine, but I don't push my pulse rate above 130 now, in any case what's the rush.

 

[lane]

Interesting question. The thought does cross my mind when you see something like that in the news. On the other hand I have been thinking recently that it's lucky that what I enjoy doing is basically good for my health compared with people who enjoy other things which aren't. Apart from the obvious that on the balance of probabilities it is better for my physical health to exercise than not, I do not underestimate the impact on my mental health which is certainly wholly and significantly positive.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Does rhe risk of a car crash stop you getting in a car?
Does the risk of hitting your head stop you having a shower?
Does the risk of a knife injury keep you out of the kitchen?

The population level risk is low. Seek medical advice if there is family history or you have other reasons to be concerned about your heart health.

 

[kingrollo]

Fear of not living is greater than the fear of dying !

I have these thoughts about road safety - and have seriously thought about quitting a couple of times. But you can't choose when you live and die - and cycling is health boosting thing to do. You could lock yourself in your house - never go out - eat salad, bread and water and maybe live to a ripe out age.....but is that living ?

 

[classic33]

There's worse ways to go. Start thinking about them and it can quickly become a case of where do you stop.

The thought that it may happen whilst cycling won't stop me cycling.

 

[Welsh wheels]

Terribly tragic for everyone involved in such cases but the reality is that human life is fragile. You could fall down the stairs and be killed or die in a car accident. Best to keep doing what you love. Fit people are a lot less likely to develop a lot of the illnesses common today. Important to listen to your body as well though - don't push yourself when you're already exhausted and there's no shame in turning back on a ride or giving up a particular challenge if you think it best.

 

[Welsh wheels]

Also important to remember that professional athletes regularly push themselves to ridiculous lengths in the pursuit of success. Much more danger in that than the riding most of us do.

 

[mjr]

If you’re seriously concerned, you could go and have a full private cardiac health screen

https://www.rbhh-specialistcare.co....diagnostic-services-2/heart-screening-clinic/

Although bear in mind if they find anything you’d need to declare to life insurers, medical insurers, your employer, travel insurers etc

Take care of yourself, get yourself checked medically, diagnosed and treated if needed, then get rewarded by insurers by being declined health insurance! Why are they allowed to harm public health like this?

 

[ColinJ]

Not a bad way to go!

(There is a reference to a long friendship with Jimmy Saville, but let's not dwell on THAT! )

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Angina in 2008, heart attack in 2016, 5 stents in my chest, I'm still pedalling.

 

[Racing roadkill]

No. I’ve had a cardiac arrest, caused by overdoing it during a rugby match. It’s not fun, but I got over it, I don’t worry about it too much.

 

[slowmotion]

Risk of cardiac problems doesn't feature on my horizon. I've already had them. I'm pretty sure that I'm better off being on the bike rather than quivering with fear about my inevitable mortality.

 

[screenman]

Very sad as it is I think if you took any group of 40,000 people one is unlikely to see the day out.

 

[Drago]

Indeed. Look how many people turn up dead in music festival toilets, and they've hardly been exercising.