Heart Problems?

[Doc333]

After reading through the Angina thread, it seems that there are quite a few of us who are battling back by getting on a bike. I admit that I only got myself a bike around 3-weeks ago as I was determined to get some fitness back and get rid of my spare tyre. Before I decided on cycling I tried to do some research which happened to be mainly on a US site, but it seemed a good way to get fit and healthy again, although their seemed to be some stumbling bocks for certain criteria of heart defects.

As there seems to be a wealth of knowledge about the subject on here, and plenty of experience, I would be interested in finding out how many of you guys that have had a problem, use a heart monitor. Up to now I've not smashed myself by doing serious climbs, as i would worry a bit, and once the heart rate started rising I may get off and push. I read something recently that said a simple formula for what's safe when riding and using a heart monitor is: your age + something or other and go no higher than that on the heart monitor???? Something like that, but would be grateful to learn

It does seem that theres plenty of us and we should form the cripple club or something It's also apparent that there's a wide range of ages as some have been struck down early with issues and some are in their 30's, 40's, 50,s and 60's and some of the older guys are much fitter, faster than those younger. The things we all have in common is dicky ticker and a bike, and haven't given up.

 

[ayceejay]

Without a HRM use common sense: back in my running days the mnemonic for aerobic training used to go "If you can't talk - walk"

 

[slowmotion]

I think it very much depends on the individual. I was told to stay off my bike for eight weeks after my op, mainly (I think) to allow my sternum to knit back together. At the end of that period, I had an echocardiogram to see how my ticker was doing. Having seen the results, the cardiologist said I could cycle as far and as fast as I wanted, but suggested that I didn't enter the TdF. I'm sure his advice would have been different if the echocardiogram showed less of an improvement. They know a lot more than we do. I would just see what your consultant advises. BTW, I don't use a HRM.

 

[ColinJ]

I was told by my doctors to keep active and 'listen to' my body. If it felt like I was doing too much, then back off a bit. I asked if they were putting any limits on what I could attempt to do and they said no, just build up steadily and don't bust a gut.

The problem I get is not a high pulse rate per se, it is that I can get my heart rhythm to go wrong if I push myself too hard, too fast. I need a good warm-up and to watch for signs of the problem developing. I have found that I can usually tell that it is about to happen and I can avoid it if I immediately slow down.

I have a HRM which I have not used for years. I am pretty tuned in to what my body is doing and can pace myself without using it, but I might put some new batteries in it and give it a go to see if it tells me anything interesting.

I would like to measure what my Resting Heart Rate (RHR) is these days. I would also like to measure how long it takes my HR to fall from (say) 150 bpm back down to my RHR.

I used to have a very low RHR (in the mid-30s) but it is up at more like 60 bpm now. It would interesting to see how low it goes as I get fitter again.

The best thing is for you to have a word with your doctor. Tell him/her what you are doing and ask for advice. If you do not like what he/she tells you then you could always ask for a second opinion.

Without a HRM use common sense: back in my running days the mnemonic for aerobic training used to go "If you can't talk - walk"

There is talking as in holding an easy conversation, and there is talking as in gasping out a few words between breaths! I tend to alternate between the two extremes because my rides are littered with hills. If I couldn't even get a couple of words out then I would consider that as going OTT.

 

[Bryony]

I don't use a heart rate monitor I think it would make me way too paranoid and I'll end up not pushing myself as hard as I could.

What I've done is gradually build up how hard I push myself so if on one ride I pushed my self fairly hard and everything was ok after I would push a little bit harder next time.

Even in our condition you still need to push yourself and get your heart pumping or it won't get stronger. Obviously it's different for everyone, but my cardiologist said I should be doing at least an hour of cardio exercise a day.

I've discovered that you soon understand what your body is saying to you and you can push yourself accordingly. Some days I go out on the bike and I can tell I'm just not up to it so I take it easy and hope that the next ride will be better

 

[ayceejay]

I agree with Colin.
It is essential to know what a HRM is measuring as it is possible that you will feel unwell even if the numbers say you are OK.

 

[ColinJ]

Oh, and I have found that I have to be a bit careful with excessive caffeine intake coupled with exercise now. If I have a couple of strong coffees and then try to whiz about on my bike, my pulse goes crazy!

 

[Doc333]

All good advice so far and thanks. The reason I'm only just getting into riding now, as the attack was in April, is because I went backwards due to a consultant in Cheshire. I recieved brilliant medical care in Leeds and went home only for the local hospital to book me an appointment for August (I was back at work at the start of June) I did however go through 8-weeks of cardiac rehab and found some good levels of fitness and actually sat on an exercise back. The cardiac nurses were great and made sure I didn't push too hard and we had blood pressure taken before and after etc. By the time I went back to work I was fit, healthy and back playing golf and had no spare tyre. In August the consultant told me some things I wasn't aware of which had me panicking and worrying, and he said I needed to go to another hospital in Staffordshire (Known as the death camp) to have an MRI stress test. So this gets booked for mid October almost 8-months after the attack. By this time through worry my fitness levels went backwards and I had gained a spare tyre.

So long story short, I made a deal with myself that if the stress tests were ok I would get a bike and ride for fitness and fun and pleasure. So here I am and because of the lack of decent care in Cheshire I'm a bit behind where I should be.

 

[Davidc]

When I had a heart attack in 2008 I was told that the reason I was around and functioning reasonably well was that I was reasonably fit (hospital reckoned I was in the top 5% of over 50s, so 95% must be in a bad way). That's down to bike riding.

I was also told that once I'd healed up I should increase my cycling and other exercise, and include strenuous exercise. The cardiologist said that while taking drugs called beta blockers there's little point in using a HRM because the beta blockers limit HR and from that point heart rate is meaningless, so I don't.

Everyone is different, so follow what you're told by the medical people.

I'm now fitter than I was before the heart attack, and so far haven't had any further heart issues. That may not mean much as I hadn't had any symptoms beforehand either.

Hope the riding goes well, and the heart behaves itself. The only bit of advice I ever give on this is to make sure your GP is a regular cyclist - helps enormously!

 

[cardiac case]

Suddenly I feel so at home.

Perhaps my only regret is that I should give rowing a go.
The course is so much flatter.

Best wishes to you all.
Paul G

 

[rbreid]

I am fortunate in having an excellent cardiology team behind me and can contact at any time for advice. My cycling history is one of constant pushing of myself since I started cycling in 1960 age 8. Raced regularly in my teens and thought nothing of hilly (Scotland read mountainous) 80 mile+ pleasure rides. Rode competitively till well into my 40's. First heart attack aged 48, made a reasonable recovery went on to commute daily 14 miles each way within 12 months. Second heart attack (which would have done for me had it not been for the underlying fitness provided by a lifetime cycling) at 54 years of age. Fought back to fitness again only to have a third resulting in the fitting of an ICD. Now still cycling with full aproval of Cardiac team who are quite adament that without the inherent fitness mentioned earlier due to cycling I'd not have survived the first never mind the subsequent ones. My heart codition is genetic in origin and both my parents succumbed very young to the same condition. All in all I have every reason to be grateful for a lifetime interest in cycling and a supportive cardiac team.
Nowadays 30 miles is probably a sensible limit for me and a realistic average speed of 10 or 12mph but the enjoyment is no less than in previous years. Cycle on (under guidance of your cardiac team) it may just save your life

 

[Doc333]

Guys fantastic, and really pleased it's still going well. So it seems the best advice is no HRM and just do it, and slow down when things hot up, and stop for a while if feeling unwell. I've not felt unwell since early April and intend to be sensible, so thanks.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Doc 333 - weren't you shown how to check your pulse during cardio rehab? On my course our blood pressure was taken, but not every session, but we were asked to check and note our pulse throughout the session. The rehab nurses had calculated an exercise HR zone that was optimal for each of us - IIRC mine was 101 > 126, dependant on age medication etc etc. (I have never been prescribed Beta blockers as fortunately I have normally low blood pressure - and my resting HR is below 50). I bought a HR monitor during my first Rehab course after my first 3 stents, as it was much easier than constantly taking your pulse, and I have used it during exercise ever since. I used it during the Rehab follow up sessions at the local sports centre too, where we were also expected to take, and keep a record of our pulse rates. As I understood it the aim of the rehab session was to teach one to exercise at a comfortable level within the optimal HR zone, and I found it was very helpful to use a HR monitor. I don't stick within that zone however, and my complaining leg muscles tend to impose an upper limit on exertion nowadays .

 

[Tyke]

A cheap HRM is good to start but I find listening to what your body is saying is best. As you get back into riding you will find you can go further, faster and longer and you will feel how your heart is going. Keep it fun and try to steadily build up and don`t go mad, especially at the start and end of the ride. I find the HRM encouraging at the end of a ride to monitor how long it takes to get back to a resting HR, as you get fitter this time will drop. It`s also good when you do push it and think you are going to bust to see that you are not as high as you thought and again how it comes down when you ease off.

Keep it fun and worry about the numbers when you want to start competing until then just enjoy the time on the bike it`s all doing you good..

 

[shortone]

At 28 I was diagnosed with a heart block which meant my heart would just stop when it felt like it causing me to pass out. I had a pacemaker fitted and all is well again.
Ive had it 10 years now and due a change within the next couple of years. I was just told to take it easy to start with and to build up slowly listening to my body. Now at 38 I can push my heart rate up to and hold at 195bpm with no issues and it will return to a normal bpm at a good healthy rate. My pacemaker prevents my heart rate dropping below 50bpm. It was originally set at 60bpm but this prevented me sleeping at night as I have a low resting rate.

I use a Garmin 800 with a heart rate monitor, but only use for information gathering and calorie counting.