Anyone here riding after having a stent fitted?

Gary613

I am hoping to find some advice regarding return to training following a heart attack and subsequent fitting of a stent? Advice seems very hard to come by from official channels as I fall outside of the normal NHS model.
I have finished 4 Ironman Tri's (last one July 2010), ridden numerous TT's, Etapes, RVV's, triathlons, marathons and pre Heart attack trained consistently 8 - 12 hours a week inclusive swims and a little running. I am now 53.
On December 1st my chest felt like it had caught fire and I was rushed into hospital, and had a stent fitted to my right heart feed artery as I had a blockage and blood clot stopping the flow. I hadn't realised I had been ill for a long period, probably 18 months as my performances in TT's etc had really started to drop off, was finding the Club run hard and was aware of a faint background feeling in my chest. I had convinced myself that it was all due to me putting on 6 kgs though and ignored it and vowed to loose weight. Further more I had not had a cholesterol test for years and years as I don't eat cheese, eggs and have had fully skimmed milk for 15 years. However, it has turned out my liver generates excessive cholesterol on its own accord!.....and thats what blocked me up.
Anyway thats the background, now the problem. I obviously want to return as soon as possible to riding (I have pulled out of IM Austria 2011 in July for obvious reasons) but no one seems to want to give me advice. The best I can get is that I should do 3 x 30 mins sessions a week.......... ummm
I have been doing some single speed flattish rides of 1 hour a few times each week, and I'm training with heart rate at lower level 1, constantly watching it. It all seems great, and in fact I feel 100% better than I have for a very long time. Rather like having a new engine. However, I don't want to compromise my return, and not sure what I can achieve medium and longer term. I have entries for the Nove Colli in Italy in late May, The Dragon Ride in June and the L'eroica in October. Is this too much too soon?
Is there anyone out there who has had this procedure, and if so any advice please.

cyco2

I have CX raced with a guy who had a triple bypass and he was good so I never beat him. How ever have you tried these.....

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=exersi ... 118e20ce05

daveecp

If the stent was fitted in December you should still be being followed up by the Cardiologist who implanted the stent. Your best bet is to contact them and ask for detailed advice. Are you being told to do no more than 3 30 min session/week or is it all rather vague advice?
Where I work any patient who has had a stent fitted is referred for cardiac rehab and then called back to clinic a couple of months after the procedure. Take it from me most Cardiologists will be only too pleased to have someone who wants to actively improve their health . However if you are not getting any joy from them don't frightened to ask to someone more senior.

cyclopath

Gary613 wrote:

I am hoping to find some advice regarding return to training following a heart attack and subsequent fitting of a stent? Advice seems very hard to come by from official channels as I fall outside of the normal NHS model.
I have finished 4 Ironman Tri's (last one July 2010), ridden numerous TT's, Etapes, RVV's, triathlons, marathons and pre Heart attack trained consistently 8 - 12 hours a week inclusive swims and a little running. I am now 53.
On December 1st my chest felt like it had caught fire and I was rushed into hospital, and had a stent fitted to my right heart feed artery as I had a blockage and blood clot stopping the flow. I hadn't realised I had been ill for a long period, probably 18 months as my performances in TT's etc had really started to drop off, was finding the Club run hard and was aware of a faint background feeling in my chest. I had convinced myself that it was all due to me putting on 6 kgs though and ignored it and vowed to loose weight. Further more I had not had a cholesterol test for years and years as I don't eat cheese, eggs and have had fully skimmed milk for 15 years. However, it has turned out my liver generates excessive cholesterol on its own accord!.....and thats what blocked me up.
Anyway thats the background, now the problem. I obviously want to return as soon as possible to riding (I have pulled out of IM Austria 2011 in July for obvious reasons) but no one seems to want to give me advice. The best I can get is that I should do 3 x 30 mins sessions a week.......... ummm
I have been doing some single speed flattish rides of 1 hour a few times each week, and I'm training with heart rate at lower level 1, constantly watching it. It all seems great, and in fact I feel 100% better than I have for a very long time. Rather like having a new engine. However, I don't want to compromise my return, and not sure what I can achieve medium and longer term. I have entries for the Nove Colli in Italy in late May, The Dragon Ride in June and the L'eroica in October. Is this too much too soon?
Is there anyone out there who has had this procedure, and if so any advice please.

Been there, done that. 17 months ago now and I was not long back from a holiday in the Alps and Pyrenees. The Alpe, Ventoux, Peyresourde, Bales and a few others. But when it happens it's still a heart attack. I had always been healthy and, like you, I had an active background, L'Etape the previous year, umpteen Highland Crosses for a couple of decades and left wondering 'What Now??'
You will find that most people are reluctant to give advice, that you want to hear. Everyone errs on the side of caution. Drives you nuts, right? From what I was told the heart's damaged muscle takes about 3 months to repair, so give it 3 months at least. No point in thinkng later that you returned to training a little early. The rides you have planned for early this year can wait, they'll be there next year and the year after. Your fitness will come back soon enough.
If it helps, I made my first 'event' the Bealach Mor, 10 months after I had the attack, entered only 4 weeks after though. And 3 weeks later I was in the Pyrenees again.
I know where you are, and I know it's not where you'd want to be , but you'll only get there if you don't rush it. (So ditch the Nove Colli and the Dragon. My advice, for what it's worth.)
I'm also 53 btw.

Gary613

Many thanks Cyclopath (and the others). You are right, no one wants to give advice I suppose in case you sue them later!
I'm back on the bike slowly, and feeling very slow indeed. But taking it easy!
Once again, thanks!