This Quick Tip comes from RBR reader Mark Pryor.
Being a long-time newsletter reader and serious roadie I wanted to send along my experience with a serious health issue that may help fellow aging roadies. About five years in to my retirement, I was riding 100-150 with a local group three times a week. In the Fall of 2023 (I was 69), all of a sudden my cycling performance took a nose-dive. One particular instance caused me to take action: a flat group ride was heading home at about an 18-mph pace and I fell quickly off the back, barely able to hold 14 mph.
“Something is VERY wrong,” I knew. I had no shortness of breath or chest pains, so I made an appointment with my primary care physician and she immediately ordered up a stress test that showed evidence of a blockage. Upshot of all this is that in April 2024 I got two stents placed in my “widowmaker” artery because I had an 80% blockage (my coronary calcium score was 2,345!)…they don’t call it “The Widowmaker” for nothing!
Had I not been an avid cyclist, and very much in tune with my body and performance, I might not have caught this until it caused a fatal heart attack. I thought I was doing everything right: eating right, riding, weightlifting, minimal alcohol. Know your body; don’t ignore warning signs, even if they are not “classic” symptoms. Don’t blow things off as “I’m just getting old.”
Excellent advice! Same thing happened to me, except 1) I was running and 2) this was 21 years ago and I was 49 – a lot younger than you were. Immediately after a fall skiing, which I took on the chest, I started having chest pains when running. I never suspected a heart issue, and due to the fall, I figured it was some sort of rib bruising. After ignoring it for 6 months I had a stent placed, then 6 months after that my cardiologist and surgeon discovered the 30% blockage in my left main coronary artery (aka “widow maker”) was really 65-70%, so I had “preventative” bypass surgery. Back then the technology wasn’t there for a stent in an artery as large as the left main (as I understood it). Anyway, I was soon back to running and riding, and it hasn’t slowed me down at all But every now and then a story like yours reminds me to be thankful I dodged a bullet – and had great doctors.
You’re lucky your first symptom wasn’t a heart attack. A better tip is to practice prevention by getting that Coronary Artery Calcium scan before you have ANY symptoms. Get one annually starting at 40, or even younger if you have family history. My first scan was alarming and was growing at 69% per year. An aggressive treatment plan finally arrested that growth, and then I actually regressed the score and have reduced it by 36%, but yes, that has taken 10 years. That’s heart disease reversal which mainstream medicine/cardiology will tell you is not possible. So ask your MD or Cardiologist if they believe that CAD is reversible. If they say “no”…well, hopefully you know what to do.
Be interested to know how you reversed the CAD!
Hi Terry – first thing I did was find a doctor who practiced heart attack prevention rather than just diagnose and treat. First thing he did was order a boatload of advanced cardiovascular tests to try and find the smoking gun that was causing this plaque buildup. An example of these tests is the collection known as Cardio IQ from Quest Diagnostic Labs. We did find a few things in there that gave us clear direction, for example a Sterols test that showed I was a hyperabsorber of these plant fats that were contributing to extremely high cholesterol. Easily fixed with a low-dose med with no side effects. We did also use a very low-dose statin for a few years to help “put out the fire”. I have since discontinued the statin – it did it’s thing and wasn’t needed any more. We also did full thyroid testing (not just TSH!), and powerful strides were made as we optimized my thyroid function… so critical for heart health. And then a boatload of supplements (that my doctor does NOT sell – beware if they do). #1 is high-quality fish oil. Dosage needs to be customized, and I take a lot, 4G per day. I also take much magnesium, vit D, vit K, kelp, aged garlic extract, B-complex, vit. B3, pro and pre biotics to optimize gut flora to name a few! Another huge thing was finding out I had sleep apnea… it’s another thing absolutely critical to address in the battle against heart disease. Add to that figuring out the best diet for you and being quite disciplined in sticking to it. For me, it’s high fat/low carb. Macros for me are 60%F20%C20%P. That’s a start Terry with the key being finding that preventive rather than interventional practitioner to guide you. That could be the toughest part of it all!
Yes, same story here. Ability to ride with the group fell off drastically and HR wasn’t there. No chest pains, arm etc. After open heart surgery, 5 bypasses and valve replacement, 4 years ago. I’m back on the bike. Road & MTB. If not for cycling, exercise, I wouldn’t have known it till too late.
Absolutely! I have a similar story about discovering my lymphoma at this link: https://www.roadbikerider.com/cancer-success-story/
After undergoing 6 months of chemo and immunotherapy last year, I am fully in remission. Were it not for federally funded university research, the medical technology to kill my cancer would not exist.
I had a similar experience but my diagnosis was a rare form of intestinal cancer. My failing cycling performance was the catalyst in discovering the problem. My years of cycling prior helped me recover from surgery much quicker than it would have been otherwise.
As a cyclist, it is critical to at least see a PCP annually. I am 85 years old and have been cycling for 45 years. About 5 years ago I was having some medical issues and simply thought it was all age related so I slowed down, did shorter and more rolling rides. I went from 6-8 thousand miles a year to 2500. I see a PCP annually and have been doing so for years. about 3 years ago after an EKG which showed afib, she suggested I see a cardiologist, which I did. During one visit she asked if I have carpal tunnel, which I had been diagnosed with a few years prior. This was a trigger to have me tested for Amyloidosis. This proved positive and I have been under the intense care of several cardiologists since. They all tell me to keep cycling and do as much cardio as I can. The testing showed a 20% blockage, not enough to treat surgically. I was told people who exercise intensely are prone for afib. This past year I was on an e-bike and rode 3700 miles. Many of the people I ride with who are over 75 have cardiac issues, some with pacemakers. But we all keep riding. You need to be aware of your own body and medical conditions – and SEE A DOCTOR ANNUALLY!
Pay attention to what your body is telling you! I have had 3 such events. First time was shortly after finishing the Southern route with PACTOUR. I felt in tip top shape because after that ride I had soloed Jacksonville-Key West. So when I developed a pain in my left calf, I chalked it up to normal aches and pains. But then while trying to bike over the hills into Santa Barbara, I had no power and had to walk, I thought something was wrong. The doctor did a D-Dimer test for a blood clot just in case. And bingo! I had a clot in my popliteal vein. I was immediately ordered to come back and begin a course of anticoagulant injections. (I knew that was serious since my aunt had died from a clot.)
A few years later I was feeling very good on a local bike ride and decided to add on another 10 miles of rollers. I quickly realized I was in some kind of trouble since I couldn’t get up a small hill. I was shaky so I stopped and called my Kaiser advice nurse to set an appointment. But she told me to call 911. I began shaking badly and was disoriented so I called 911 but couldn’t give my address. I didn’t know where I was— somewhere in Virginia 10-15 miles from the nearest town. I had to flag a passing motorist to give directions.
An hour later I was under sedation in the cath lab of a hospital getting two stents.
When 18 months later I had a similar event (also induced while biking), I immediately checked in to a hospital and had another pair of stents implanted. Restenosis, the doc said.
That was 3 years ago. I have since modified my diet and lost 10% of my body weight and am very careful about what I eat and drink.
Moral: Listen to (and take care of) your body!!