Do You Worry About Your Heart?
10-28-19 | 02:36 PM
#76
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 49
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From: Florida
Bikes: Specialized Crossroads
I think we all know that. Heart disease is still the number 1 cause of death.
I agree with getting things checked out but as I have whined about on this forum before, I haven't had a lot of success with doctors.
I'm sorry you have had such problems and I wish you luck with that going forward.
I agree with getting things checked out but as I have whined about on this forum before, I haven't had a lot of success with doctors.
I'm sorry you have had such problems and I wish you luck with that going forward.
I made the comment referencing Superman only because I know many who do hold to such a view, so no, not everyone knows that. No amount of cajoling them into taking better care of themselves has any effect on them because they are young, healthy, and strong, believing they will always be this way. I was the exact same way before I found out otherwise, which is why I try to educate others now.
10-28-19 | 03:35 PM
#77
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 75
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From: Dallas, Fort Worth Metroplex
Bikes: 2015 Specialized Diverge Elite A1, 2013 KHS Flite, 1998 Trek 800
I am now 73. Last year, late spring or early summer, I began to get dropped some by a pretty good group. I thought it was just my age and dropped back to a slower group. Sadly, they began to drop me as well. At my next scheduled check up, my PCP was concerned about a murmer that had developed and sent me to cardiology. Turns out I had severe aortic stenosis, but up until then had not shown any symptoms. Due to my overall good condition, I qualified for open heart surgery rather than transfemoral. As part of the run up for the surgery, they did a heart cath, and fortunately, I had not blockages. I still love to ride, and am now back to about four days a week. I just don't ride as hard or as far. Sadly, I did lose a very close friend to a cardiac event while on a ride back in April. I find that most people that ride consistently are pretty well in touch with their body, but still, if you listen, your body will tell you what you need to know. Just be willing to listen.
10-28-19 | 03:47 PM
#78
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 150
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From: Orlando, FL
Bikes: iZip E3 Peak DS, Magnum Metro, GT Tachyon, K2 Sidewinder
I just got a $20 CooSpo chest Bt HR sensor in from Amazon this morning. Installed the Strava app on my android phone and went for a test ride on my full suspension mountain bike. It was just around town for 3.2 miles. But I pretty much pedaled as hard as I could the whole time. The app said I had an avg speed of 13mph and max 18mpg. I did kind of pedal around in circles testing my brakes because I just replaced the cables so that may have lowered my avg speed. But the MTB seems pretty sluggish. I recorded an avg HR of 123 and max of 148. According to the 220 - age rule for est max HR I would be at 156-157 (about to turn 64). Guess it's going to take a bit of work to get there.
Last edited by fly135; 10-28-19 at 04:33 PM.
10-28-19 | 04:54 PM
#79
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 355
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From: Silicon Valley, CA (Yes, that one :)
I.m 66, have reasonable at-rest heart rate, a bit above average cholesterol, a few pounds more-than-I-want-to-be overweight and do ~50 mi/week on a mtb...no serious hill climbing, tho....primarily cardio. I save my stress moments for Sat. mornings when I go do good hill hikes, i.e. this past Sat. I did 1000+ ft. elevation gain and a distance of 12-13 miles among the redwoods. Also dodged a bunch of mosquitoes during the jaunt.
My dad died @ 86 due to renal issues (prob'ly form the smoking he did most of his life) and my mom's still alive @ 90. No real heart issues in my family. I figure if I go while on my bike or in the forest, I should have a smile on my face (along with a bunch of scrapes and scratches if it happens while I'm on my bike).
My dad died @ 86 due to renal issues (prob'ly form the smoking he did most of his life) and my mom's still alive @ 90. No real heart issues in my family. I figure if I go while on my bike or in the forest, I should have a smile on my face (along with a bunch of scrapes and scratches if it happens while I'm on my bike).
10-28-19 | 05:07 PM
#80
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
10-28-19 | 09:32 PM
#81
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Joined: Feb 2015
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From: La-la Land, CA
Bikes: Cannondale Quick SL1 Bike - 2014
10-29-19 | 12:49 AM
#83
Mufrdyer420
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: Las vegas Nv 89149
Bikes: Bianchi classic 78 ,orbea 2017 road bike..
So, there are many reasons most of us ride and one of them is for health, physical and mental. But unfortunately , in our general age group (I am 55), cardiovascular disease can become an issue. Exercise is obviously very good for the cardiovascular system. But all the exertion that comes with a hard ride also does, to a certain extent, increase the risk of a cardiac event in those susceptible. Personally, if I die on my bike, I will be a happy man. My question is, given the potential heart risks and given age, do you ever worry while you are riding that you are working too hard? Like, dangerously hard? Do you ever back off a little because of that? I ask this because, the other day, I was on a quite tough climb and I was really, really working and it suddenly occurred to me--hey, you may be in good cycling shape, but you're not 30 anymore. Maybe you should chill out.
I kept going. But it got me to wondering whether I was the only older fella who ever thinks about these things. If so, how does it figure into your riding? Just wondering. Thanks for your thoughts.
I kept going. But it got me to wondering whether I was the only older fella who ever thinks about these things. If so, how does it figure into your riding? Just wondering. Thanks for your thoughts.
10-29-19 | 02:53 AM
#84
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Why are you "half dead" at 64?
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10-29-19 | 02:58 AM
#85
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10-29-19 | 03:21 AM
#86
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From: NW
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LOL, I think about it, then I go riding. If I die at lest I’ll die doing something I love doing. At this point in my life if I wake up and can get out of bed it’s a good day and a gift. No worries be happy!
10-29-19 | 04:09 AM
#88
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What might you do differently if you knew you had another 30 years on this earth?
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10-29-19 | 09:12 AM
#90
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From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
It's a stupid rule. There are many variables with people, you can't have a "one size fits all" for heart rate. As Machka said, find your max heart rate by doing. Again, if there are no underlying issues.
It's like the resting hear rate thing. I was reading the chart and it said I should be 55-60 bpm. While I was reading it my hr was 40 bpm.
https://www.castlehillfitness.com/fi...e-220-age-myth
https://www.******.com/r/askscience/...20_minus_your/
https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/fit...a-for-fitness/
It's like the resting hear rate thing. I was reading the chart and it said I should be 55-60 bpm. While I was reading it my hr was 40 bpm.
https://www.castlehillfitness.com/fi...e-220-age-myth
https://www.******.com/r/askscience/...20_minus_your/
https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/fit...a-for-fitness/
Last edited by big john; 10-29-19 at 09:24 AM.
10-29-19 | 09:47 AM
#91
Seat Sniffer
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From: SoCal
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Read that. It's a good book, but does more than a bit of scare-mongering. I've been riding with ultra-cyclists and just plain hard-riding folks for 20 years. We've had two riders develop Afib. One is an ultra-cyclist with a wall full of medals, the other is a runner/cyclist who ran a 4:11 mile in his early 20's and kept up that level of training until his mid-70s when he was still one of the fastest riders I've had the pleasure to paceline with.. So yeah, it's possible to overdo it, but it takes absolutely incredible dedication. Those of you who have ridden at that level for a couple decades should take note and maybe back it off. For the rest of us, have at it all you want - very unlikely that you have the physiology to enable that level of stress for long enough to cause any damage.
.
.
I know a number of people with afib issues, and they do all have one thing in common. They are people who like to push hard all the time. If they are doing a double century, they are trying to complete it as fast as possible ... and ditto with any ride (all of which are training rides).
I only push that hard in races, and even then, try to pace myself. Does that mean I won't get afib? Who knows. But that is my theory and I'm sticking to it. And if I do get afib, I'll deal with it then.
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10-29-19 | 10:19 AM
#92
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From: Va
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Actually riding a bike may have saved my life. I passed out several times while riding and after all the usual tests etc they found I need a pacer because when I was pedaling hard my heart went into bradycardia. I had noticed several times even not riding that I was getting faint after standing up quickly and dismissed it as nothing unusual.
10-29-19 | 12:55 PM
#93
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From: Central Indiana
If one of the big four don't take me, (cancer, heart death, stroke, dementia) who knows?
10-29-19 | 02:05 PM
#94
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Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
10-29-19 | 02:17 PM
#95
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 27
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Already had the heart attack, still here with no stent implanted. One blocked artery, was told to have another and try to live through it. Then they would give me a double bypass. As per VA guidelines. On meds, 65 and do follow ups. Got back 80% of the 30% I lost (waited 10 days before I went in) still ride hard.
Aim to go like Simpson, the hell with it...put me back on my bike !
Aim to go like Simpson, the hell with it...put me back on my bike !
10-29-19 | 03:26 PM
#96
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Rural Missouri - mostly central and southeastern
Bikes: 2003 LeMond -various other junk bikes
"If I knew I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."
The original post asks if you are worrying about your heart. But, to be a little more precise you may need to reword the question to include vascular health as well.
I am only guessing, but I would suggest that coronary blood vessel health is a major factor in "active sudden death" scenarios. Many other heart diseases are considerably more "self-limiting" is as much that they cause fatigue or shortness of breath before the subject can exercise to death.
How many of the previous posters have undergone cardiac catheterization and are reasonably sure of healthy heart vessels? If not - then you have some cause for concern when you start maxing out, especially at an older age, or a history of smoking or obesity.
10-29-19 | 09:18 PM
#97
just another gosling
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Everett, WA
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Well Mickey - you can say that again..... and again and again ...
The original post asks if you are worrying about your heart. But, to be a little more precise you may need to reword the question to include vascular health as well.
I am only guessing, but I would suggest that coronary blood vessel health is a major factor in "active sudden death" scenarios. Many other heart diseases are considerably more "self-limiting" is as much that they cause fatigue or shortness of breath before the subject can exercise to death.
How many of the previous posters have undergone cardiac catheterization and are reasonably sure of healthy heart vessels? If not - then you have some cause for concern when you start maxing out, especially at an older age, or a history of smoking or obesity.
The original post asks if you are worrying about your heart. But, to be a little more precise you may need to reword the question to include vascular health as well.
I am only guessing, but I would suggest that coronary blood vessel health is a major factor in "active sudden death" scenarios. Many other heart diseases are considerably more "self-limiting" is as much that they cause fatigue or shortness of breath before the subject can exercise to death.
How many of the previous posters have undergone cardiac catheterization and are reasonably sure of healthy heart vessels? If not - then you have some cause for concern when you start maxing out, especially at an older age, or a history of smoking or obesity.
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10-30-19 | 07:46 AM
#100
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From: Michigan
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the "220 rule" is not a "rule." It is just an average, but if you are in good shape it may be totally different. My true "threshold" heart rate is above my "max heart-rate" from the "rule." My measured max is about 20bpm higher than my theoretical "rule" max.