Today’s QT comes to us from a Virginia Premium Member who wishes to remain anonymous. His story speaks for itself; regardless of how “fit” you may seem to be, unless you get your heart health checked out, you really cannot know. Here’s what he writes:
I would like to add a dimension to the comments about heart health and testing. I had been a cyclist for 25 years, and prior to that a competitive runner. At 67, I thought I was pretty fit and would “test” my heart on Boulder, Colorado, climbs where I would routinely hit a max heart rate of 194 and be able to hold it.
Back in Virginia on an easy spin one March day in 2013, I had a heart attack. I was cycling in Arlington and luckily very near Virginia Hospital Center. Within 20 minutes I was in the Cath Lab, and required a stent.
I have learned a lot about heart and artery health since then.
A lot of people may have plaque developing in their arteries, and it can rupture at any time (which is what causes a heart attack). There are tests for this. Get yourself checked out.
Just because you can crank it up a 15% grade at max heart rate, that does NOT mean you are “fit!”
If you have an idea for a QT, fire away. We’re always looking for good info we can share with fellow roadies. We would love to hear from you with any suggestions you have. Contact us by clicking Quick Tips Ideas.
—John Marsh & The RBR Team
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