Well it was May 2000, I made a second attempt to dig out a small tree stump. As I did during my first attempt, I felt some odd pressure on my chest, and did not force myself. I was only 55, couldn't be a heart problem. But I was 60 pounds over weight and quite a couch potato. Asked wife to get me a doctor appointment when she went in for hers, it was nine years since I was last looked at. She came back and told me my appointment was the next day. Apparently chest pressure was the magic words. In rather quick order I had blood work, stress test and heart catheter. I recall during the stress test I didn't get very far into it before I stumbled in exhaustion off the thread mill. My July 4th was spent recovering from a triple bypass and also was type 2 diabetic. While I got things sort of under control with diet, I really didn't lose weight till I started biking some 4 years later. I feel a bit lucky I didn't actually have a heart attack before my condition was discovered. A follow up stress test in 2004 went well. Had at least 6 months of biking under my belt by then and seemed like I walked forever before my pulse was high enough to actually take the x-ray pictures of my inners. I've talked to too many people who have been back in for 2nd and 3rd times for a bypass, and seem to take it for granted. I for one would really rather avoid another operation.
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BierHaus Bertolette Road Bike, built 2007
BierHaus SRT Trail Bike, built 2010
Fuji Mt. Pro - 2007
Last edited by guybierhaus; 08-03-07 at 04:01 PM.