Older riders that eat healthy and stay fit need to read my story

blaze 57
Profile picture for user blaze 57
Posts
392
Joined
4/11/2018
Location
Inchelium, WA, USA
blaze 57
Edited Date/Time 6/17/2022 6:36am
Sometimes it doesn't matter how fit you are and how clean your diet is you can still be a walking time bomb.

I've been into fitness and a gym rat since 9th grade or about 50 yrs. I turn 65 this summer. My diet has been 100% clean most of that time and never smoked, drink maybe once every two yrs , do drugs or any unhealthy habits.

Last week I had three separate heart attacks. The first one was outside near my girlfriends horses fence and it felt like someone was standing on my chest and it was very difficult to catch my breath. I got into the house and it ended as quickly as it started so I brushed it off and never really considered it as a heart issue.

The next day about 24 hrs later I was lifting the lawnmower onto a 6 in concrete slab and the exact thing but 10X worse. I quickly got back into the house and this time it felt like someone had placed the Empire State building directly on my chest-shoulders and I started to black out. My girlfriend was there and knew exactly what was happening and took me to the ER where I had a third heart attack right in the ER.

Evidently via a blood test they quickly determined I had a heart attack and got me stabilized ready to life flight me to a heart unit in Idaho but due to low clouds went for an ambulance ride instead.

Ended up with two stents in my heart and the outer wall of the left side has permanent damage. Spent 4 days there in ICU.

Talking to the heart doctor that performed the procedure I told him my diet and training background and he said in my case it's probably 100% genetic.

When they tested my bad cholesterol it was almost 300. I have never once had this checked. I just don't go to doctors for regular checkups. The doctor said this issue probably started over 30 yrs ago. So it was a long time in the making.

Both my dad and grandfather (same side) died in their early 70's from heart issues but I never knew the cause.

I wrote this as a reminder PLEASE get regular blood work done and especially the cholesterol test once a yr. I would start this at least in your 30's.





156
|
don'tknowwhy
Profile picture for user don'tknowwhy
Posts
525
Joined
7/15/2015
Location
North Las Vegas, NV, USA
don'tknowwhy 6/13/2022 4:18pm
6/13/2022 4:18pm
Thanks for the good advice.
jtiger12
Profile picture for user jtiger12
Posts
1723
Joined
8/2/2006
Location
Forest H Ill, MD, USA
jtiger12 6/13/2022 4:23pm
6/13/2022 4:23pm
Thanks for sharing sir.
1
121x
Profile picture for user 121x
Posts
196
Joined
3/9/2022
Location
Ontario, CA
121x 6/13/2022 4:29pm
6/13/2022 4:29pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2025 3:27am
Shit dude! Really sorry to hear this. Extremely close call, glad your girlfriend did not waste any time. Not saying it would have turned out worse, but chances are good you wouldnt still be here if not for her.

I hope you fully bounce back and wish you a solid recovery!
2
Project 2501 6/13/2022 4:32pm
6/13/2022 4:32pm
Thank you for this. Incredibly helpful. I and my family hope you have many high quality years to go.
1

The Shop

See All »
neverwas 6/13/2022 4:33pm
6/13/2022 4:33pm
Very good advice.
Happy your still with us.
Joko
Profile picture for user Joko
Posts
1538
Joined
1/2/2011
Location
Haddam, CT, USA
Fantasy
93rd
Joko 6/13/2022 4:41pm
6/13/2022 4:41pm
Get well! Nice Aussies! I have one too!
6
Redrcr34
Profile picture for user Redrcr34
Posts
1048
Joined
10/3/2008
Location
USA
Redrcr34 6/13/2022 5:06pm
6/13/2022 5:06pm
Thanks for the post. Hope you feel well soon.
cable
Profile picture for user cable
Posts
1253
Joined
6/11/2008
Location
Rockford, MI, USA
cable 6/13/2022 6:09pm
6/13/2022 6:09pm
Thanks for the reminder. Guy i race bmx with got real lucky also. thought he had hearburn. ended up with open heart surgery. he is 53, and races bmx year round. bmx is 100% max heart rate every race. i still hit 190 at 50 yrs old..
inthebadboycorner 6/13/2022 6:42pm
6/13/2022 6:42pm
I'm glad you have recovered well, great advice.

And to all the unfit fat pricks out there like me, you're at the same or a greater risk.
See you doctor and clean your act up.
2
sumdood
Profile picture for user sumdood
Posts
8861
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
Fantasy
557th
sumdood 6/13/2022 9:47pm
6/13/2022 9:47pm
Wow glad you're still with us. That's a scary story, you didn't even see that coming did you ? Thanks for the reminder to not just get our oil checked, but also to not ignore warning signs. When I read your story I said yep, that's the exact same thing I'd of done, nothing and ignore the signs. Thank you for the reality check. I hope the "Permanent Damage" to the left outer wall is something that's manageable ?
Richy
Profile picture for user Richy
Posts
3093
Joined
7/18/2020
Location
UK, GB
Richy 6/14/2022 3:09am
6/14/2022 3:09am
No homo, but yeah man you look in great shape especially for your age when most of us have softened up and slacked off, that's some savage bad luck and I hope it's plain sailing for you now dude 👍

Solid advice, cheers!
sandman768
Profile picture for user sandman768
Posts
8100
Joined
3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
sandman768 6/14/2022 3:38am
6/14/2022 3:38am
Glad you survived! Part of the being healthy and taking care of yourself is going to the Dr. To get your physical and regular test done…I know, as men we don’t want to go to a Dr. Unless we are broken, but a yearly physical, blood work, an Yes…. A colonoscopy are important….
1
Vet57
Profile picture for user Vet57
Posts
2518
Joined
12/13/2010
Location
BRO Town, MA, USA
Vet57 6/14/2022 4:12am
6/14/2022 4:12am
Roll of the dice...I know some of the fittest people around these parts and they have/had strokes...I also know people who smoke/drink heavily and live long lives without issue. Go figure.
2
Ramrod
Profile picture for user Ramrod
Posts
4994
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Ontario, CA
Ramrod 6/14/2022 4:23am
6/14/2022 4:23am
Real life experience to learn from, thanks for sharing 👍
geo309
Profile picture for user geo309
Posts
267
Joined
7/9/2008
Location
USA
geo309 6/14/2022 8:02am
6/14/2022 8:02am
Had a similar think happen to a friend of mine. He is in his mid-fifties and was complaining about pain in his chest that seemed like he had indigestion. He went to a doctor and they did a stress test and he passed it. So he figured he was OK. A few weeks go by and he can only do about a few laps before the indigestion comes back. My wife was at the track this last time and she is an NP and asked if the doctor did a cardiac cath and he said not necessary. She said go back and tell him that you want one. They did the cardiac cath and he was sent right to the OR and had a quadruple bypass. That was about a year ago and he is all back to riding now and seems fine. You just never know!!
4
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
12411
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA, USA
Falcon 6/14/2022 8:45am
6/14/2022 8:45am
Thanks for the reminder. It's been a while since I had a checkup.
rbm33
Profile picture for user rbm33
Posts
449
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Duncan, OK, USA
Fantasy
644th
rbm33 6/14/2022 10:00am
6/14/2022 10:00am
Glad your doing good now and it most likely was unavoidable due to genetics, but can you imagine the effect it could have had on you had you not taken good care of yourself most of your life. I would say a life of health living just saved your life.
reynardfan1
Profile picture for user reynardfan1
Posts
818
Joined
7/28/2014
Location
Gretna, NE, USA
reynardfan1 6/14/2022 10:16am
6/14/2022 10:16am
Having big muscles and being 'in shape' are two different things...

having a 'fit' looking physique and being healthy are also two different things...I don't know why that is so hard to understand.
6
4

Pit Row

See All »
byke
Profile picture for user byke
Posts
3034
Joined
8/12/2015
Location
Auburn, CA, USA
byke 6/14/2022 10:19am
6/14/2022 10:19am
Most important, I'm happy you're recovering.

However, some people have serious misconceptions about "fitness", especially when it comes to the heart. If you're 250lbs and zero body fat, that's not "fit". Our hearts are not made to support infinite amounts of flesh. The heart pumps blood to support all of our living flesh and someone that's 250lbs of solid muscle, is 80lbs overweight, from an actual fitness perspective. Look to motocross to see what actual fitness looks like.
3
1
Spankey
Profile picture for user Spankey
Posts
143
Joined
12/11/2013
Location
Burns, OR, USA
Spankey 6/14/2022 11:39am
6/14/2022 11:39am
blaze 57 wrote:
Sometimes it doesn't matter how fit you are and how clean your diet is you can still be a walking time bomb. I've been into fitness...
Sometimes it doesn't matter how fit you are and how clean your diet is you can still be a walking time bomb.

I've been into fitness and a gym rat since 9th grade or about 50 yrs. I turn 65 this summer. My diet has been 100% clean most of that time and never smoked, drink maybe once every two yrs , do drugs or any unhealthy habits.

Last week I had three separate heart attacks. The first one was outside near my girlfriends horses fence and it felt like someone was standing on my chest and it was very difficult to catch my breath. I got into the house and it ended as quickly as it started so I brushed it off and never really considered it as a heart issue.

The next day about 24 hrs later I was lifting the lawnmower onto a 6 in concrete slab and the exact thing but 10X worse. I quickly got back into the house and this time it felt like someone had placed the Empire State building directly on my chest-shoulders and I started to black out. My girlfriend was there and knew exactly what was happening and took me to the ER where I had a third heart attack right in the ER.

Evidently via a blood test they quickly determined I had a heart attack and got me stabilized ready to life flight me to a heart unit in Idaho but due to low clouds went for an ambulance ride instead.

Ended up with two stents in my heart and the outer wall of the left side has permanent damage. Spent 4 days there in ICU.

Talking to the heart doctor that performed the procedure I told him my diet and training background and he said in my case it's probably 100% genetic.

When they tested my bad cholesterol it was almost 300. I have never once had this checked. I just don't go to doctors for regular checkups. The doctor said this issue probably started over 30 yrs ago. So it was a long time in the making.

Both my dad and grandfather (same side) died in their early 70's from heart issues but I never knew the cause.

I wrote this as a reminder PLEASE get regular blood work done and especially the cholesterol test once a yr. I would start this at least in your 30's.





Question. You say you're a gym rat. So, do you just lift, or do you do any cardio?
1
jeffro503
Profile picture for user jeffro503
Posts
27632
Joined
7/22/2007
Location
St Helens, OR, USA
jeffro503 6/14/2022 12:00pm
6/14/2022 12:00pm Edited Date/Time 6/14/2022 12:01pm
Blaze , I'm glad to hear you are still with us. Reminder for myself that I need to get checked more regularly. I too have been a gym rat with weights and cardio. Even without riding , I still enjoy pushing myself hard. But like you.....I never really go see a doctor unless I think there is something wrong.
1
1
Hammer 663s
Profile picture for user Hammer 663s
Posts
3090
Joined
6/2/2016
Location
Forest Grove, OR, USA
Hammer 663s 6/14/2022 2:00pm
6/14/2022 2:00pm Edited Date/Time 6/14/2022 2:08pm
Yup, it's genetic. I have high cholesterol too even tho I weigh 182, my bp is 138/80 and my resting pulse rate is 50. Got it from my Mom, who was 5' 2" and 110 lbs. Has nothing to do with size or diet in my case, simply genetics.

Regular blood work is a must to see how the engine is running. Like an oil analysis right? I'm a gym rat too and work at it but some things you need meds to manage. I have added more cardio over the years and less weight training, as I want to keep the body mass down.

Been on BP meds for years, no meds for cholesterol since I'm right at the borderline there. Started testosterone cypionate about 3 years ago, mainly to deal with fatigue, mood, and general muscle/joint soreness. Not sure of the long-term impact of a shot every 2 weeks but whatever. At 60 what do you consider "long term" anyway! Smile

See your doctor at least annually for blood work and a once over, especially after 50.
3
lee82
Profile picture for user lee82
Posts
27
Joined
12/9/2021
Location
Fulshear, TX, USA
lee82 6/14/2022 4:16pm
6/14/2022 4:16pm
Hammer 663s wrote:
Yup, it's genetic. I have high cholesterol too even tho I weigh 182, my bp is 138/80 and my resting pulse rate is 50. Got it...
Yup, it's genetic. I have high cholesterol too even tho I weigh 182, my bp is 138/80 and my resting pulse rate is 50. Got it from my Mom, who was 5' 2" and 110 lbs. Has nothing to do with size or diet in my case, simply genetics.

Regular blood work is a must to see how the engine is running. Like an oil analysis right? I'm a gym rat too and work at it but some things you need meds to manage. I have added more cardio over the years and less weight training, as I want to keep the body mass down.

Been on BP meds for years, no meds for cholesterol since I'm right at the borderline there. Started testosterone cypionate about 3 years ago, mainly to deal with fatigue, mood, and general muscle/joint soreness. Not sure of the long-term impact of a shot every 2 weeks but whatever. At 60 what do you consider "long term" anyway! Smile

See your doctor at least annually for blood work and a once over, especially after 50.
Yea, pretty spot on here. My wife and I eat the same foods, we both do intense cardio (cycling, mountain biking, running, etc) and lift, eat very clean, sleep the same, and are both leaner and fitter than most. If anything her stress levels are lower than mine. But her cholesterol looks terrible, mine looks like the picture of health. All genetics...
1
JMCR250
Profile picture for user JMCR250
Posts
432
Joined
8/26/2018
Location
Chesterfield, MO, USA
JMCR250 6/14/2022 4:36pm
6/14/2022 4:36pm
Thanks for the reminder and glad you're recovering. Men are dumbasses -- we all are. We'd rather have a stroke or heart attack than make a situation awkward by say, calling 911. I have a partner who fell out of bed one morning and had numbness in his side -- he was having a stroke. His wife started calling 911, but he insisted she not and that if she would just help him get back in bed, he'd sleep it off. This is a highly educated, very bright, professional person. Thankfully the wife ignored him.

Please use this stark reminder to see your doc every year, get your blood work done, etc. It can really be the difference between attending future races, enjoying the company of your loved ones, etc. or facing death or long-term disability.
3
brettmx
Profile picture for user brettmx
Posts
221
Joined
12/7/2017
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
brettmx 6/14/2022 10:59pm
6/14/2022 10:59pm
blaze 57 wrote:
Sometimes it doesn't matter how fit you are and how clean your diet is you can still be a walking time bomb. I've been into fitness...
Sometimes it doesn't matter how fit you are and how clean your diet is you can still be a walking time bomb.

I've been into fitness and a gym rat since 9th grade or about 50 yrs. I turn 65 this summer. My diet has been 100% clean most of that time and never smoked, drink maybe once every two yrs , do drugs or any unhealthy habits.

Last week I had three separate heart attacks. The first one was outside near my girlfriends horses fence and it felt like someone was standing on my chest and it was very difficult to catch my breath. I got into the house and it ended as quickly as it started so I brushed it off and never really considered it as a heart issue.

The next day about 24 hrs later I was lifting the lawnmower onto a 6 in concrete slab and the exact thing but 10X worse. I quickly got back into the house and this time it felt like someone had placed the Empire State building directly on my chest-shoulders and I started to black out. My girlfriend was there and knew exactly what was happening and took me to the ER where I had a third heart attack right in the ER.

Evidently via a blood test they quickly determined I had a heart attack and got me stabilized ready to life flight me to a heart unit in Idaho but due to low clouds went for an ambulance ride instead.

Ended up with two stents in my heart and the outer wall of the left side has permanent damage. Spent 4 days there in ICU.

Talking to the heart doctor that performed the procedure I told him my diet and training background and he said in my case it's probably 100% genetic.

When they tested my bad cholesterol it was almost 300. I have never once had this checked. I just don't go to doctors for regular checkups. The doctor said this issue probably started over 30 yrs ago. So it was a long time in the making.

Both my dad and grandfather (same side) died in their early 70's from heart issues but I never knew the cause.

I wrote this as a reminder PLEASE get regular blood work done and especially the cholesterol test once a yr. I would start this at least in your 30's.





Spankey wrote:
Question. You say you're a gym rat. So, do you just lift, or do you do any cardio?
Running TRT--aka taking testosterone (how much) and anything else?
KONG
Profile picture for user KONG
Posts
768
Joined
9/2/2021
Location
FR
KONG 6/15/2022 12:13am
6/15/2022 12:13am
I've been diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve back when I was four and my parents were told "It'll probably come and bother him some day". Always had a proper diet, no drinking, no smoking, quite a lot of sports, moto, offroad, MTB, snowboard, never really cared for my heart condition... Well in 21 it "came and bothered me", 54 years later... I felt weaker while training, thought I was just getting old, but when you start asphyxiating and blacking out climbing hills you've been climbing hundred times, you know something's going south, even though you try and deny it...
Of course, I experienced the "stupid moto guy syndrom", "I just have to kick my ass and I'm gonna make it, I'm no wimp and I'm not gonna let a little condition stop me!", lol... That hippo sitting on my chest must be nothing!
Well, in the end, after lots of waiting and pretending, I never went this fast through the ER, a clear sign that there actually IS an emergency.
I now have a brand new valve, even though my veins and arteries are top notch...
Take care, all of you guys!
Wink
5
profeshenal125 6/15/2022 9:30am
6/15/2022 9:30am
Hammer 663s wrote:
Yup, it's genetic. I have high cholesterol too even tho I weigh 182, my bp is 138/80 and my resting pulse rate is 50. Got it...
Yup, it's genetic. I have high cholesterol too even tho I weigh 182, my bp is 138/80 and my resting pulse rate is 50. Got it from my Mom, who was 5' 2" and 110 lbs. Has nothing to do with size or diet in my case, simply genetics.

Regular blood work is a must to see how the engine is running. Like an oil analysis right? I'm a gym rat too and work at it but some things you need meds to manage. I have added more cardio over the years and less weight training, as I want to keep the body mass down.

Been on BP meds for years, no meds for cholesterol since I'm right at the borderline there. Started testosterone cypionate about 3 years ago, mainly to deal with fatigue, mood, and general muscle/joint soreness. Not sure of the long-term impact of a shot every 2 weeks but whatever. At 60 what do you consider "long term" anyway! Smile

See your doctor at least annually for blood work and a once over, especially after 50.
Yeah it’s a crazy difference genetics to not. Usually I hv burning antifreeze and or exhaust in the cab . 5 yrs ago CDL holders could take decongestants they should push bp way up. I could take 2 12 hr and hv 118 62 . Work a tanker in nyc or the ne 58 hrs straight take caffeine pills non stop and the same 118 62. Live on nasty truck stop fast food . The only healthy thing I do on the rd is drink water and take vitamins. Coffee thermos has 2 in of sugar. Crazy how you can abuse yourself. Cardio never 2017 was the last time I jumped rope body is too beaten. I deal with pressure really good tho even with 3k payments 4,900 fuel bill, aprox 500 a day in tolls. I had zero stress get your mind in a machine mode and keep it there 24/7 and try to hv fun.
1
SoCalMX70
Profile picture for user SoCalMX70
Posts
3555
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
SoCalMX70 6/15/2022 10:38am
6/15/2022 10:38am
My dad recently had a couple strokes. 69 years old, in shape, eating well, and working in his shop every day. He will never be the same. My grandmother (his mom) died of a brain aneurysm around the same age. So yeah, my brother and I have some cerebrovascular stuff to watch out for in our futures.
Moto Donkey 6/16/2022 4:55am
6/16/2022 4:55am
Interesting post about a topic that I have been researching and studying post grad. Doctors currently offer some extremely bad advice in regards to this health crisis that is heart disease. A couple of points I will make.

1. LDL cholesterol is not "bad cholesterol". If a doctor tells you that it is then you need to find a new doctor.

2. Bloodwork does not matter when it comes to coronary heart disease and risk. If you want a true assessment of your risk, you need to obtain a CAC score that measures calcifed plaque in the arteries.

3. If you want to truly correct your situation and not end up taking statins and dying in a few years, look in to and research the amazing work of Patrick Theut. Here is a link to his page. - https://www.k-vitamins.com/index.php?page=research-view-all&id=18

Good luck.
4
JB 19
Profile picture for user JB 19
Posts
4341
Joined
3/8/2009
Location
Marion, OH, USA
JB 19 6/16/2022 5:28am
6/16/2022 5:28am
Cholesterol will kill anyone. It also makes you tired too early in the day. Don't eat baked goods, red meat, pizza, ice cream.....eat lots of salad. Spinach is a super food for combating cholesterol. Even if high cholesterol runs in your family there are still things you can do about it.

I am 43 years old, 5'8 and weigh 140 pounds. Very low body fat. Very active and still secceptabl to high cholesterol. I don't even drink milk or eat eggs anymore. Replaced milk with oat milk. Also try to get at least 30 mins 3 days a week of high heart rate cardio.

I used to think that I ate healthy because I didn't eat fast food. Also thought I could eat what I want because I was skinny. Found out a couple years ago that it doesn't matter.
1
4

Post a reply to: Older riders that eat healthy and stay fit need to read my story