Cardiac event

[mandm65]

Hi guys,

Hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for the festive season.

I am in complete shock to report this cardiac event I suffered while during my usual weekly run. As some of you know my history, if you dont please see link below.

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

Anyway during the run when I suffered the cardiac event, i was knocked out completely. Naturally it came from no where and without any warnings, consequently went down face first. Some kind passers by stopped by and called the ambulance. I was taken to A&E and went through the usual. My face now represent true replica of London marathon course, lol. Although the real cause of the event is still under investigation but due to my condition/history they suspect it's cardiac related.

I am still struggling to comprehend what had happened, does this event menas my running days are over?

The roumour mill has it that I might be a candidate for the ILR/ICM monitoring device, havnt got the foggiest how the device would help, guess need another post for ilr/icm users.

Anyway thought I keep you guys in tbe loop and also take this opportunity to wish you guys marry Xmas and happy and healthy 2019.

Whatever you do keep your chin up.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Sorry to hear your news. The abbreviation means Insertable Loop Recorder/Insertable Cardiac Monitor. This will, hopefully, allow them to find the reason for your fainting episode. Likely causes are irregular heartbeat or fibrillation.

All the best for Christmas and 2019!

[mandm65 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks Mike for your response, yes i sincerely hope that this device could assist to pinpoint the reason for fainting episode.

[Chappychap]

"I am still struggling to comprehend what had happened, does this event menas my running days are over?"

There's no mystery why most people arrive on this forum. Obese or overweight, too little exercise, too many takeaways/processed food/Pepsis, smoke, drink, highly stressed, etc, etc.

You don't need to be a medical genius to figure out that heart problems were always just around the corner.

But you're different.

And if I was your doctor, I'd want to know what are the real root causes behind your heart issues? I don't believe its good enough to shrug it off with the "bad genes" explanation. As far as I can see, at least with the great majority of heart problems, genetics can predispose you towards problems, but it's never the actual trigger. So unlike with health problems like say Huntington's Disease, genetics is never your absolute destiny when it comes to heart issues.

So what in your case is the actual trigger? Is it undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes, or periodontal disease, or exposure to heavy metals, or a weakness for lashings of salt, or sleep apnae, or any of the dozens of other candidates? If I were your doctor that would be an intriguing puzzle that I'd really want to solve.

And surely, if you and your doctor can identify and tackle the real root cause of your heart problems, then there's absolutely no reason to ever stop running?

Just my 2p's worth, but what do I know.

Good luck!

[mandm65 in reply to Chappychap]

Hello Chappychapy,

Thanks for your response. You have identified many important and valid questions, some of them i have been trying to get an answer but unfortunately most of the time i lead to believe that things just happened and you have to accept and manage.

It’s human nature that you fight these batteles with doctors and/or cardiologist and after a while you give up because you have so many other battles going on that you feel that you cannot continue fighting all fronts with same intensity. I believe our system is designed as such that you have no option but to focus on your health and find ways of managing/improving your health and at the same time accept what had happened, I wholehearted believe that i am a byproduct of that system.

I am not going to give up running so easily, i did not do it after the HA but I do Feel confused. i am planning to meet my cardiology team next month to discuss this event and no doubt running subject will be debated intensely.

Once again many thanks for your response.

[Kev12564 in reply to mandm65]

I just found this thread and your previous posts, interesting stuff. I’m only here because of my dad’s bypass, but I am a fatty turned fitty type and can imagine your immense frustration.

Massive respect for keeping up the running. I had a CT scan out of curiosity, all was OK. The cardiologist mentioned the importance of diet, etc, but he certainly made the point that cardio exercise is an absolute must. Stuff like yoga and weights are fine but do little for heart health.

How are things now?

[mandm65 in reply to Kev12564]

Hey thanks for your response, yep things are as good as it can be under the circumstances. I had constructive discussions with my cardio team. The conversation predominately circled around ICD insertion. I am expecting a letter from the hospital to conclude our conversation.

I agree with your cardiologist that cardio exercise is an absolute must. I do watch what I eat but now shifting from high carb diet to low carb, not following any diet plan. I do appreciate that our diet also plays a significant part but it’s the exercise which influence the most. I wish you draw some motivation from the posts here and make lifestyle changes and follow some sort of exercise/diet plans.

All the best mate for you and your dad.

[Kev12564 in reply to mandm65]

Thanks. I’ve already made huge lifestyle changes from having a BMI of 32 to 26, stopping the booze and taking up a new sport. It was luck/genes that my arteries are clear after 48 years of unhealthy living.

A year and a half on, people don’t believe this athletic 49 year old was ever an obese slob. If injuries or medical problems stopped me training (I am nowhere near your levels of exercise), I’d be distraught hence your posts struck a chord.

Hope you’re up and running soon