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
The prognosis is heavily dependent upon the heart function (ejection fraction). Keep in mind that bypass surgery is not a cure, consequently patients remain at risk for future heart attacks. That risk can be lowered (but not eliminated) with diet, medications (including aspirin, a statin, and a beta blocker), management of diabetes and hypertension, smoking cessation, and moderate exercise. And no, heart muscle does not regenerate itself (hence the need for stem cell research).
The prognosis is heavily dependent upon the heart function (ejection fraction). Keep in mind that bypass surgery is not a cure, consequently patients remain at risk for future heart attacks. That risk can be lowered (but not eliminated) with diet, medications (including aspirin, a statin, and a beta blocker), management of diabetes and hypertension, smoking cessation, and moderate exercise. And no, heart muscle does not regenerate itself (hence the need for stem cell research).
