Biking after heart disease.

SELBY

Hi,
just got over probs with me ticker had stents put in blocked arteries last May am now fit and back at work, i now want to get back into road bikes after 20 years or so, please can someone tell me where to start not just from the type of bike but training and time on the bike i should start off with. Im 50 and a bit heavier than id like to be.


thanks

Velonutter

Two years ago I started off after 25+years away from the bike, started doing just 6.4 miles every other day and increased by 10% every other week. I now regularly do 100+ mile rides and during the summer up to 300 miles in a week.

Little and often is the way to do it.

gethmetal

While agreeing with Velonutter's comments, I think it's probably wise to discuss this matter with your Doctor. I would expect that since part of their duties is to encourage exercise, they should have some guidelines/advice they can give you based on their knowledge of your particular case.

bianchimoon

agree with both of the above posters, plus listen to what your body's telling you, don't expect to much too soon, and enjoy - good luck

red dragon

+1 for bianchimoon, four years down the line it is important to listen to your body.

MarcBC

Selby,

I am approaching 50 and am overweight. 9 years ago I had a heart attack (electrical and not due to any blockages) and now suffer from (prescription controlled) arrhythmia, both brady and tacchy. I got back into cycling only two months ago after a 30+ yr lay off.

Assuming that a stent has no bearing on the heart muscle function, my experience may not apply to you but this is what I did to start up again.

I also suggest you check it out with a doctor first, if you have not already done so.

I started very slowly with 30 mins on an exercise bike every other day. I still do this although it is mixed in with getting out on the bike and I have extended the duration / pace and resistance on the exercise bike. I am now pushing it somewhat (that is a relative statement) with a split between Zones 2 and 3 (I am a big believer in an HRM for my condition!)

I have also just started doing weekly runs with my local cycling club. The distances for the novice goup are around 20-30 miles per run at a 12-13 mph average. So far I have had no problems.

In this short 8 week period I have already noticed a good improvement in both physical and mental health. Other than a little muscle tiredness, I think I could be doing more, but want to do this slowly over time so as not to over stress the heart too quickly.

I started with a mtb, but now also have a road bike. That has made a big difference to enjoyment (for me) when road riding.

ceeque

I had a double stent for heart disease and got back on my bike after a very long layoff .... best thing I ever did. I just figured to not let my heart go into any type of red zone or exert it til it was popping out of my chest and its been all good.
I then told my doc. and he utterly agreed and told me to get out riding all the time!
Its the hills that get you of course but lets face it, you can always get off!
Just do it, you`ll find your own way and pace thru` it ....."little and often" is always the best way!

mucknell

i had double lung surgery 3 years ago this month and was my surgeon encouraged cycling,my lung capacity has been cut down a little due to losing parts of the lungs but like the others have said,listen to your body,first few times i went out could just about manage a lap of the estate then slowly increased to 8 miles 3 times a week the slowly upwards and last June i completed the maracycle here just over 225 miles in just 5 months of being on the bike...hills suck but always will for me so have no shame in getting off....see you doc and enjoy and be nice to hear how you get on...

Brommers76

May be wise to buy a heart rate monitor and set a sensible upper limit as agreed with your doctor. I have a bicuspid valve and I was advised not to push it too hard and find the HR monitor a good way to control that.

I was also told as much and often as I like but just be wary of intensity. Very different condition to you but I hope it makes sense.

reacher

first and formost you need to lose that weight , excess body weight will kill you or any body else faster than anything else , you need to get your diet sorted as soon as , evan faster if you have high blood pressure as well ,
then as said , get exerciseing , better late then never , every day would be a good start considering your problem ,
and dont listen too much to doctors when it comes to exercise , the majority have never seen a days exercise in their lives and simply repeat what they have read some where , talk to or pay some one a proper trainer who knows exactly your situation and can put you on a proper exercise plan that will produce results not just guess work , a proffesional who knows what he or she is doing , these people are highly trained and paid to produce results , the science of training has moved on a lot in the last few years

SELBY

thanks to every one that repiled to my post, those of you who have suffered similar problems are an ispiration, and to those that passed on their cycling knowledge thanks again,
ive just come off nights and plan to go buy my bike today, ive got a week off now so will be making my first rides over the next week or so.