I am not yet a Masters swimmer, but I hope to get involved in the next year or two. In the meantime, I work out on my own. About 15 months ago, at the age of 44, I had a heart attack. They put four stents in my heart. I have susequently been checked out via catheterization, and my coronary arteries are clear. I now take a variety of medications.
Once upon a time, I was an okay freestyle sprinter. My cardiologist tells me I should work out at "moderate intensity" which I find hard to do. But I warm up slowly and cool down slowly, too. In between I am doing pretty modest intervals (100s on 1:30, 200s on 3:05, 400s on 6:10) and am feeling encouraged because I am getting stronger. That said, sometimes I feel my limits and cut the workout a bit short. (I go around 3000 yards a workout approximately 4 times a week.)
Here is my question: is there anybody out there who knows enough about coronary heart disease and competitive swimming to give me any guidance? Can I keep pushing to go a little harder, or should I back off? I would really like to compete again. Thoughts? Many thanks!
Red60
Parents
Former Member
Great question. First let me say that, although I am a cardiologist, I don't know the specific details of your condition and treatment. The short answer is that there is evidence of an increased risk of heart attack and sudden death with vigorous exercise in patients with CAD. Your individual risk depends in part on the results of your stress test as well as your heart function (ejection fraction). I have copied a link to recent guidelines from our literature on this subject. The best advice is to consult with your cardiologist, take your medications (which should include a statin, a beta blocker and of course aspirin and Plavix), and listen to your body. An adequate warm up and cool down is essential.
content.onlinejacc.org/.../1348
Great question. First let me say that, although I am a cardiologist, I don't know the specific details of your condition and treatment. The short answer is that there is evidence of an increased risk of heart attack and sudden death with vigorous exercise in patients with CAD. Your individual risk depends in part on the results of your stress test as well as your heart function (ejection fraction). I have copied a link to recent guidelines from our literature on this subject. The best advice is to consult with your cardiologist, take your medications (which should include a statin, a beta blocker and of course aspirin and Plavix), and listen to your body. An adequate warm up and cool down is essential.
content.onlinejacc.org/.../1348
