Today at the Arizona state meet legend Ron Johnson after setting a new American Record in the 200 breastroke suffered a severe heart attack in the warm down pool. Thankfully the lifeguards and masters swimmer/physician Kurt Dickson and others we're able to start immediate life support until paramedics arrived and rushed him to the hospital
As of 5pm this evening all I know is that Ron had had regained consciousness, appeared to have not suffered brain damage and was breathing on his own...however he did have 5-6 clogged arteries and was going into immediate open heart surgery.....please send your prayers and thoughts this evening for his recovery....
Former Member
"The person who fits this description might be well advised to avoid competition in the first place I think. Especially the part I highlighted. It's fun to race but not so fun as to risk an MI."
Scyfreestyler,we would be arguing the old argument against running or walking, the risks involved in marathon running. There are much more benefits from doing exercise than not doing them. Eventually someone will die while doing exercise, but most people will have a heart attack in their sleep or while shoveling snow, and these will not be the swimmers and runners out there. I was pointing out a curiosity, or a fact, that in competition there would be a slight danger of stopping the exercise abruptly (such as in sprints) without keeping moving. If anyone ever feels light headed or feels anything different after a hard workout or sprint, one should lie down, maybe with legs elevated. This is just a common maneuver to keep the blood going to the brain by sheer gravity. It is enigmatic that the cases related in this thread did not happen as the race was run, but later in the cool down area. The pre charge, or the amount of blood returning to the heart is important in filling it up so enough will be pumped (including to the coronary arteries) out. Sometimes a venous pooling can be damaging. Most times it only implies in "passing out" from lack of oxygen to the brain, where the individual falls down and this causes a return of the circulation to the brain. I've seen people starting convulsing in a sitting down position (in an airplane, scared, anxious, so forth) where all I did was bring their head down and their legs up. In seconds everything is back to normal, including the color in the face. When anyone in any activity says they are about to pass out or throws up, first and immediately have them lie down. I have patients with blood pressure in the 60s (systolic) range with no problem, because they are horizontal and that pressure is enough to keep their brain and coronaries filled. billy fanstone
P.S. I wish they wouldn't push us masters so fast to get out of the pool after nearly dying at the 100 I.M. or anydistance butterfly or 100 free. Hey, sometimes I hardly have the strength to go under the lanes to get out using the steps (I never use them at practice). Heheh, sometimes the young trainees or whatever taking our times at meets will look down at me and ask "Are you feeling okay, sir?" The sir part of it is what gets me. In running you always cool down and walk and so forth until your heart rate comes down, you NEVER should stop completely because that is what might cause trouble in your heart with all the blood pooling in your legs. Swimming however shouldn't be a problem because you are horizontal. But getting out of the pool and walking over to the other pool could be an issue if you had a bad heart. When in practice you always cool down in the same lane or pool you've been swimming...something to think about.
The person who fits this description might be well advised to avoid competition in the first place I think. Especially the part I highlighted. It's fun to race but not so fun as to risk an MI.
Exercise is good for you. All studies I have seen say it's good for mood,cognition,and longevity. If you like to compete it will probably motivate you to better fitness(it does me.) If you don't like to compete don't.
Within all reasonable precautions: Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting, “Holy Sh*T what a ride!”
:drink:
Ron continues to show dramatic improvement......he had a pace maker installed late yesterday and was out of IC in less than 3 hours! If he continues to do this well he may be home by Monday.
And true to his nature he is already "competing"......he's set up "step" goals each time he gets out of bed......way to go Ron Jon and thanks again everyone for your positive vibes!
Paul,
I'm so happy he's on the mend. I must say I chuckled when you said, "He had a pacemaker installed." I just wonder- what make and model is Ron anyway? :p
Thanks for keeping us updated.
