Riding after a heart attack
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 412
From: Studio City, CA via Rochester, NY
Riding after a heart attack
Hello all,
I suffered a heart attack this past Wednesday. Very surreal and profound experience. I'm 50 yrs old and have always taken very good care of myself - vegetarian for 26 years, cardiovascular and strength training 5 days a week for last 30 years, very occasional drinker and never smoked. Go figure. Stress can be a VERY bad thing! In any event, after shocking me to bring me back, they placed stents in two arteries in my heart and I'm here to tell about it and feel pretty darn good all things considered.
My question for those who may have had similar experience is how to get back in the saddle. I'm sure everyone's experience is different, but are there some things that I should be mindful of in addition to the obvious? I have my first follow up with cardiologist later this week and will raise the issue with him - I certainly won't be back on two wheels until he gives me the go-ahead, but I imagine there are some emotions, fears, and pointers that only fellow riders would understand.
Thanks for any insight.
I suffered a heart attack this past Wednesday. Very surreal and profound experience. I'm 50 yrs old and have always taken very good care of myself - vegetarian for 26 years, cardiovascular and strength training 5 days a week for last 30 years, very occasional drinker and never smoked. Go figure. Stress can be a VERY bad thing! In any event, after shocking me to bring me back, they placed stents in two arteries in my heart and I'm here to tell about it and feel pretty darn good all things considered.
My question for those who may have had similar experience is how to get back in the saddle. I'm sure everyone's experience is different, but are there some things that I should be mindful of in addition to the obvious? I have my first follow up with cardiologist later this week and will raise the issue with him - I certainly won't be back on two wheels until he gives me the go-ahead, but I imagine there are some emotions, fears, and pointers that only fellow riders would understand.
Thanks for any insight.
I had a heart attack about a year and a half ago, 5 stents. Yes very surreal, mine happened after my dog then my father died, my other dog died while I was in the hospital and right before Christmas. I found myself very depressed for about a month, cried a lot about life.
I told my cardiologist that I rode a bike and asked how long before I could ride. He said as soon as my thigh/groin was recovered (about 10 days). I found myself to be very tired for about a month and kept to short rides. After that I was fine to go back out for long rides.
I ride with nitrostat and aspirin in my fanny pack all the time, plus my lunch time beta blocker. If I'm going on a longer overnight trip, I make sure I have all my meds counted and kept with me. I try not to worry too much about the twinges and what ifs. The worry starts to dissipate after a few months because I have realized that worry won't change anything. Do what your Cardiologist tells you, take your meds and go have fun. Life isn't promised to us.
If you want to PM me please do.
I told my cardiologist that I rode a bike and asked how long before I could ride. He said as soon as my thigh/groin was recovered (about 10 days). I found myself to be very tired for about a month and kept to short rides. After that I was fine to go back out for long rides.
I ride with nitrostat and aspirin in my fanny pack all the time, plus my lunch time beta blocker. If I'm going on a longer overnight trip, I make sure I have all my meds counted and kept with me. I try not to worry too much about the twinges and what ifs. The worry starts to dissipate after a few months because I have realized that worry won't change anything. Do what your Cardiologist tells you, take your meds and go have fun. Life isn't promised to us.
If you want to PM me please do.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,516
Likes: 34,672
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
My thoughts on this. Now I'm not a doctor nor have I had a heart attack, but it seems to reason to me that if riding relaxes you it may be therapeutic. If riding makes you anxious or stressed it may not be the best thing to do at this time.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 12
From: NoVA
I've had two over the last twenty years. And yeah as soon as the groin heals up you should be good to go.
The biggest affect it had on me was I realized that I would just never know when the big one would come. So...I started to buy motorcycles that I had always wanted. The truth is at least once in your life you have to have a Ducati. So I not only bought one, I went to track school too. I was the oldest guy in the class and out of 18 there were only 6 kids that were faster and five of those ran off the track. This was on a race prepped 600 Ninja, not the Harley.
So whatever you have been putting off, don't. Buy that Ducati or take the summer off and ride to Alaska. Bucket lists are made to check off the entries. Don't worry you will think up some more.
And by the way, what Tommy C says above. I know I will never have another while riding my bike. And even if I did what better way than to code out than on one last trip over the Big Horn mountains on the way to Sturgis. Yeah.
The biggest affect it had on me was I realized that I would just never know when the big one would come. So...I started to buy motorcycles that I had always wanted. The truth is at least once in your life you have to have a Ducati. So I not only bought one, I went to track school too. I was the oldest guy in the class and out of 18 there were only 6 kids that were faster and five of those ran off the track. This was on a race prepped 600 Ninja, not the Harley.
So whatever you have been putting off, don't. Buy that Ducati or take the summer off and ride to Alaska. Bucket lists are made to check off the entries. Don't worry you will think up some more.
And by the way, what Tommy C says above. I know I will never have another while riding my bike. And even if I did what better way than to code out than on one last trip over the Big Horn mountains on the way to Sturgis. Yeah.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 208
Likes: 17
From: Pittsburgh
I've had Lymphoma for 10 years. Last year I was diagnosed with pneumonia which took me 8 months to get over, and 3 months later I had my gallbladder removed. I've lost 45 pounds along with muscle mass. But tomorrow is supposed to reach almost 80 degrees and a beautiful day. I'm determined to ride my Fat Bob and enjoy the day! I'll worry about the cancer, chemotherapy and physical rehab next week. 
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 412
From: Studio City, CA via Rochester, NY
Thanks so much for the insight so far. In my case, riding is therapeutic, so I look forward to getting back at it as soon as doc says I can. I just imagine that there will be some apprehension as this thing has caused all kinds of emotional swings these last few days.
For my procedure, he was able to go in thru my wrist rather than the groin so I'm fortunate there. I arrested when he opened up the second, (and larger), artery. Heart wasn't ready for it. Quick shock and I was back.
Not a club I ever wanted to join, (who would????), but it is what it is and I want to make sure I can still do what I love to do. It'll be an interesting journey.
Thanks again for all the feedback. Keep it coming.
For my procedure, he was able to go in thru my wrist rather than the groin so I'm fortunate there. I arrested when he opened up the second, (and larger), artery. Heart wasn't ready for it. Quick shock and I was back.
Not a club I ever wanted to join, (who would????), but it is what it is and I want to make sure I can still do what I love to do. It'll be an interesting journey.
Thanks again for all the feedback. Keep it coming.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 203
From: Fischer, Texas
December of 2014 I to had a heart attack and to be honest, I thought I was gone. Scared the heck out of me. One stent through the groin and a few days later a second stent through the wrist. Two weeks later the Doc gave me the go ahead to drive and said two more weeks I would be good to go on the scooter. I took a little more time than that to get on the scooter as it was chilly out and the blood thinners made me feel cold all the time. Got back on and the 'wind therapy' was just what I needed.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,110
From: Florida
Had 3 stents installed in '03. Dr. said don't ride for 3 moths 'cause that's how long I would be on blood thinners, and even a slight accident could cause me to bleed to death. I told him "you might as well kill me now" & went riding as soon as I got home from his office.
Had open heart last summer;valve replacement,aortic graft, & single bypass. I rode with absolutely NO problem 6 weeks after the surgery. Played my first gig & carried my own bass amp a week after that.
You'll do fine. get on that biotch & RIDE!
Had open heart last summer;valve replacement,aortic graft, & single bypass. I rode with absolutely NO problem 6 weeks after the surgery. Played my first gig & carried my own bass amp a week after that.
You'll do fine. get on that biotch & RIDE!
Novice
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver Island
"Do not go gentle into that good night", Dylan Thomas
I had a heart attack and triple bypass at age 36, another heart attack at age 45 when one of the grafts failed, then more trouble last summer and a stent was done then.
I have to be careful I don't get cold so I invested in heated gear. I bought Road Glide Ultra to get protection from the elements and to fulfill a bucket list trip on a Harley to the Grand Canyon. I've learned my symptoms and monitor myself carefully, but most importantly I RIDE AS MUCH AS I CAN!
Good luck to all of you!
I had a heart attack and triple bypass at age 36, another heart attack at age 45 when one of the grafts failed, then more trouble last summer and a stent was done then.
I have to be careful I don't get cold so I invested in heated gear. I bought Road Glide Ultra to get protection from the elements and to fulfill a bucket list trip on a Harley to the Grand Canyon. I've learned my symptoms and monitor myself carefully, but most importantly I RIDE AS MUCH AS I CAN!
Good luck to all of you!