Post Heart Attack & Riding
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 560
Likes: 2
From: Green Bay, WI
Post Heart Attack & Riding
If this is too personal, please ignore the topic. I really debated about this topic, but this might help my case some. My entire life has been about riding.
My Other Half is a bit concerned. (Never mind what the Cardiologist has said
)
The intent of this post is to find other riders who have had a major heart attack and on similar medications. So she can see something in writing that other folks are OK to ride with no issues.
Last week I was at work and suffered what they call a Widowmaker heart attack. I died three times. I beat the odds and am OK.
Everything went right from the start to the finish. I had a second stent put in yesterday. He feels I will be within 5-10% of normal heart effectiveness over the next few months.
I am up walking, etc. I can start driving in a few days. And the Dr. sees no reason why I can start riding again (one of the small bikes) in 10 days or so. Of course I am not going to over push it.
The concern on her part is the medications. I am on Plavix, Coreg and Lisinopril (Prinivil/Zestril). Of course the dosage will be modified as I progress.
Anyone else out there riding with a similar history? Any issues?
Thanks for the replies in advance.
My Other Half is a bit concerned. (Never mind what the Cardiologist has said
)The intent of this post is to find other riders who have had a major heart attack and on similar medications. So she can see something in writing that other folks are OK to ride with no issues.
Last week I was at work and suffered what they call a Widowmaker heart attack. I died three times. I beat the odds and am OK.
Everything went right from the start to the finish. I had a second stent put in yesterday. He feels I will be within 5-10% of normal heart effectiveness over the next few months.I am up walking, etc. I can start driving in a few days. And the Dr. sees no reason why I can start riding again (one of the small bikes) in 10 days or so. Of course I am not going to over push it.
The concern on her part is the medications. I am on Plavix, Coreg and Lisinopril (Prinivil/Zestril). Of course the dosage will be modified as I progress.
Anyone else out there riding with a similar history? Any issues?
Thanks for the replies in advance.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 22
From: Connecticut
Quite a lot of folks on the forum with similar situations (myself included) and I'm sure they will chime in.
Happy to hear you are on the mend!!
I completely understand your Other Half's concern. I, as well as my wife and adult kids were concerned what restrictions "The Old Man" was going to have.
In late 2010 Dr picked up abnormal reading during a routine physical which brought several things to light. Apparently had a "silent heart attack" at some point as well as a minor undiagnosed stroke.
Clogged carotid artery repaired surgically in late 2010 and also a stent was placed in an artery that was going to be used in a later scheduled by-pass
I had minimally invasive (robotic) coronary bypass in January 2011 and was riding in the spring, April as I recall.
I'm taking some of the same medicine types you are and my cardiologist gave me the OK for a normal active lifestyle, riding included, 2 or 3 months after surgery. I'm 64 and feel great.
I'm assuming your Dr has/will prescribe Cardiac Rehab. Been going since March 2011.
Here's a link to responses to a question much like yours:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...nd-riding.html
Good luck to you, go to Cardiac Rehab, and enjoy riding!!!
Sammi
Happy to hear you are on the mend!!
I completely understand your Other Half's concern. I, as well as my wife and adult kids were concerned what restrictions "The Old Man" was going to have.
In late 2010 Dr picked up abnormal reading during a routine physical which brought several things to light. Apparently had a "silent heart attack" at some point as well as a minor undiagnosed stroke.
Clogged carotid artery repaired surgically in late 2010 and also a stent was placed in an artery that was going to be used in a later scheduled by-pass
I had minimally invasive (robotic) coronary bypass in January 2011 and was riding in the spring, April as I recall.
I'm taking some of the same medicine types you are and my cardiologist gave me the OK for a normal active lifestyle, riding included, 2 or 3 months after surgery. I'm 64 and feel great.
I'm assuming your Dr has/will prescribe Cardiac Rehab. Been going since March 2011.
Here's a link to responses to a question much like yours:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...nd-riding.html
Good luck to you, go to Cardiac Rehab, and enjoy riding!!!
Sammi
Last edited by Sammi; Apr 4, 2012 at 02:21 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 63
From: Eastern Washington State
I had a mild MI a few years ago and have been on Lipitor and Ramipril since then with no problems. I don't know what the side effects are with your medications but if the doc says you're good to go I wouldn't worry too much about it. As long as you know the medications don't make you drowsy, dizzy or something else then I'd say enjoy your rides.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 12
From: NoVA
Had my first 16 years ago, then another 9 years later. Did the Plavix, still on Coreg and never heard of Lisinopril. Stents, sure just carry the card in case of a MRI.
Once that hole in the groin heals a bit, no problem with the Harley. Funny, the only medical problem bike related was because of a BMW 1150 G/S. See, I wanted to ride the Trans Labrador Highway. So at sixty I figure I better get my legs in shape for a thousand miles of dirt. So I'm working out pretty hard and jogging too. Well I blew out my knee running. After the knee operation my leg would not fold up enough for the Beemer. Sold the Beemer and two other bikes, my E-Glide fits my leg just fine.
Now I walk 2 1/2 miles a day and my legs back to normal. I may start looking for another big dual sport. That TLH is on my bucket list.
What it comes down to is this. You can code out in your bed or a rocking chair. Or have the big one crossing the Big Horn Mountains one last time. I've made my choice. I've been riding street for 45 years and toured all over. I think the real truth is I will never have another heart attack while riding. It's therapy.
Once that hole in the groin heals a bit, no problem with the Harley. Funny, the only medical problem bike related was because of a BMW 1150 G/S. See, I wanted to ride the Trans Labrador Highway. So at sixty I figure I better get my legs in shape for a thousand miles of dirt. So I'm working out pretty hard and jogging too. Well I blew out my knee running. After the knee operation my leg would not fold up enough for the Beemer. Sold the Beemer and two other bikes, my E-Glide fits my leg just fine.
Now I walk 2 1/2 miles a day and my legs back to normal. I may start looking for another big dual sport. That TLH is on my bucket list.
What it comes down to is this. You can code out in your bed or a rocking chair. Or have the big one crossing the Big Horn Mountains one last time. I've made my choice. I've been riding street for 45 years and toured all over. I think the real truth is I will never have another heart attack while riding. It's therapy.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 560
Likes: 2
From: Green Bay, WI
Thanks, that topic link was exactly what I was looking for. Funny, I tried Heart Attack in the search function before posting, but didn't see that topic.
Yep, start Cardio Rehab next week.
Thanks for the link!
Yep, start Cardio Rehab next week.
Thanks for the link!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,742
Likes: 17,592
From: Driftless Area
Mind those blood thinners....they had me on Plavix for about a month. Scratched myself pretty good when cleaning the bike. Stupid little gash, and I thought I would bleed to death in the driveway. Lipitor now, and not as bad.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Northwest PA
Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure. I take it every day and it has no effect on normal life.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Hilliard,Ohio
Been down that road myself.........
In 2001 had a "series" of heart attacks. Luckily none big enough to kill me but did involve an emergency room visit, a couple of stents and a few days in the hospital followed by 6 weeks at home. I was 43. I was on all those meds too and really the only one to watch is the Plavix because as someone said here, you'll bleed if someone says ouch. You'll also bruise really easy.
I was told by my cardiologist that if my stents haven't closed by now they never will so I'm pretty much released to do anything. Since then I hired a personal trainer, blew out my knee and had knee surgery and then herniated a disc in my back a year ago and had emergency back surgery due to a paralysis risk.
Still riding and my wife is a nurse (lucky me) and she's getting ready to take her test so she can ride (or ride my bike if anything were to happen to me).
I guess in short, as someone also said, life's too short to coddle yourself. Enjoy it.....and the ride. Just be sensible. God'll take care of the rest.
In 2001 had a "series" of heart attacks. Luckily none big enough to kill me but did involve an emergency room visit, a couple of stents and a few days in the hospital followed by 6 weeks at home. I was 43. I was on all those meds too and really the only one to watch is the Plavix because as someone said here, you'll bleed if someone says ouch. You'll also bruise really easy.
I was told by my cardiologist that if my stents haven't closed by now they never will so I'm pretty much released to do anything. Since then I hired a personal trainer, blew out my knee and had knee surgery and then herniated a disc in my back a year ago and had emergency back surgery due to a paralysis risk.
Still riding and my wife is a nurse (lucky me) and she's getting ready to take her test so she can ride (or ride my bike if anything were to happen to me).
I guess in short, as someone also said, life's too short to coddle yourself. Enjoy it.....and the ride. Just be sensible. God'll take care of the rest.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 319
Likes: 4
From: Southeastern Michigan
I was 48 years old when I joined the zipper club in January of 2005 (triple bypass) and had a defibrillator implanted May of 05 (it's never gone off... thank goodness) I take aspirin, Plavix, Lisinopril, Carvedilol (Coreg) and Simvastatin (Toprol) daily.
It took me about 9 month before I felt physically up to riding again. I've been averaging about 8,500 miles a year since then.
It took me about 9 month before I felt physically up to riding again. I've been averaging about 8,500 miles a year since then.
