Skiing?

[Scout2017]

Hi all - anyone know of any reason why I can't go skiing? HA, CA and 2 stents in Feb, on Ticagrelor, aspirin, ramipril, bisoprolol and atorvostatin. Pretty fit now (for me!), 5k run 5 days a week and an experienced skiier. I'm expecting to have to wrap up warm... Thanks! B.

[NorthantsSteve]

Don’t see why not if you feel up for it and have had no chest pain issues and so on. As you’re still on anti platelet therapy until Feb you’d need to be careful until then as you’ll find it difficult to stop bleeding if you have an accident. But any time after that would be fine. Maybe check with your doc if you’re worried? Insurance might be an issue. I’ve never found it to be too much of a problem but have never tried to get covered for an ‘extreme’ sport.

[Sunnie2day]

I'd check with the medics to be sure but if they give the go-ahead, why not (oh you lucky lucky person!) - start on the bunny slopes until you're sure of your stability, and just don't go off-piste no matter how great it feels to be back on the skis.

Oh you lucky, lucky, lucky! I'm not even allowed to toboggan much less get back on a pair of skis or a snowboard so I have deep envy (in a good way, wish it could be me but love hearing any heartie is back on the slopes). Are you coming up to Scotland or going abroad?

[Yasyass]

I think best u ask ur gp

[Kimkat]

Just check with your cardio team first but I had a pacemaker fitted last May and skied twice this year in January and March, also planning to go in Feb and March 2020.

[trash_panda]

The potential problem is the Ticagrelor. I realise you are an experienced skier but if you have an accident you are going to bleed a lot more (dangerously so), and if you bang your head there is more chance of a bleed on the brain.

I was told not to do any contact sports or extreme sports until I was off the Ticagrelor. You might also find that the pills (I'm on the same ones) make the cold affect you more. I'm from the north east and was never bothered by the cold (very stereotypical), now it hurts my extremities and makes training in the winter a lot harder when breathing in cold air.

[Ianc2]

When I read your post I experienced a sharp stabbing pain in my chest which I recognised immediately as a nasty case of acute jealously.....

[Londoner48]

Altitude is a real problem for HA sufferers. The low oxygen levels put significant extra strain on your heart. Add in the sometimes explosive activity levels and you have a dangerous combination.

2,000 metres seems to be regarded as a limit. That is what my cardiologist advised me as the ceiling. In the end I decided not to ski again, because the restrictions and the worry over straining the heart when skiing hard took away my joy.

As mentioned, Ticragelor is a problem. You will bruise very badly if you fall, and the pressure of the boots may induce bruising. It may be wise to wait until you are off this drug.

It is essential to talk to a cardiologist before deciding whether it is safe for you to ski.

[not2worry]

Londoner received the same advice as my hubby on altitude. Here in the States it’s the Mile High limit-no more than 5,280’.

The higher the altitude the “thinner” the air-less oxygen per molecule. The harder it is to supply your heart and organs with the necessary life supporting oxygen. Even folks without heart issues can and do experience a shortness of breath and general malaise for a few days while their bodies acclimate to their new environment.

Skiing is a great sport but it’s one of the most demanding on the heart. As avid skiers and scuba divers we had to part ways to these two loves in our lives. It will all depend on what your cardiologist recommends. The doctors will give you the best advice.

[Kimkat]

Just a thought, have you actually booked your ski holiday yet? And if so, have you arranged holiday insurance? If you haven’t done either, it may be worth checking with your insurance company first as you may have a problem getting cover, with your particular drugs.

[WestCorkHeart]

I miraculously survived an acute aortic dissection A-Type whilst playing golf in August 2019 and have been making a good recovery since that time. I am on Ramipril, Bisoprol, Amlodipine, Asprin and Atorvastatin medication.

I have skied regularly for 34 years and had hoped to “celebrate” being alive for an extra 6 months by skiing in Austria this month. However last week my cardiac consultant recommended that I do not go skiing as the combination of extreme changes in blood pressure and heart rate at high altitude could be an issue. There may also be challenges in getting up from falls due to weakness in my upper body. I

Needless to say I am very disappointed but will accept the advice this year and challenge next year, although I got the impression that the ban will be permanent.

I had previously spoken to my travel insurance provider who said that they would cover me as long as my cardiac consultant allowed me to ski.

[Scout2017 in reply to WestCorkHeart]

Hi there, thanks for your reply, I'm sorry you couldn't go. I was allowed to and had a great time, can still ski the legs off my boys stents or no stents! Took it easy, no risks, wore a monitor the first couple of days 'just in case' but my rates were no higher than when running, in fact since I'm now fitter than the rest of them I had the least trouble with altitude of anyone. We had a fantastic time and made some great memories. Insurance was through Staysure, full declaration, about £100 for the week. Next target is to be allowed back to scuba diving, I'm a marine biologist so that's quite a biggie. Echo and treadmill tests coming up, fingers crossed...

[WestCorkHeart in reply to Scout2017]

Thank you for the reassurance and for providing me with hope for the future. I am playing golf three times a week; training hard at the cardio rehab gym twice a week; lots of walking/hiking and have joined my local tennis club this week. My fitness is getting much better so I will be ready for skiing next year.

Good luck with the scuba diving. That sounds quite challenging!