Returning to the bike

[Cyclemaster]

Hi , thought I’d introduced myself , my user name is slightly tongue in cheek😄 , 9 weeks ago I suffered as HA 42 km into a 100 km bike ride, I was taken to AE by my daughter and rushed straight in, within half an hour I was in an ambulance being transferred to Stoke coronary care , the care was excellent, a and within 24 hours I received 4 stents , I’ve recovered slowly and returned to work part time approx 3 weeks ago ( I’m self employed) I’m walking 5. kilometres most days at a brisk pace as well as a few cardio rehab sessions . Pre heart attack 70 km bike rides were the norm for me and I’m now starting to think about riding again ( I couldn’t even look at the bike for a few weeks after ) I’m thinking of going electric so as not to put to much strain my heart for the next year at least . Does anybody have any experiences in getting back into cycling post HA , experience on electric or normal bike most welcome . Thanks CM

[pasigal]

Get an indoor trainer for your bike and a heart rate monitor and build up slowly to the recommended max bpm.

I had a similar experience as yours, and I'm still not comfortable with solo outdoor rides. I ve dragooned my wife into coming along with me on Zone 2 rides, which are actually quite pleasant.

[Whitbyreds]

Was doing 200 miles week pre angina and subsequent bypass ( yes was sudden op) - not been on bike for 6 months but cardiologist as advised to start back on my indoor bike whilst chest heals. Plan to start this tomorrow (op 6 weeks back). Plan to get outdoors after Xmas when chest bone should be healed.

[fixedrider]

I've been a club cyclist all my life, though not the most active, and was riding Audax events up to 200km. My HA was very mild - on some short utility rides over a period of a week, I just felt that I wanted to stop and rest on corners, which was unusual, obviously. I ended up with a double bypass.

I wasn't allowed to ride of course while my chest healed but, like you, I walked a fair bit. I also slightly worried the post-op physio team by pushing myself more than they expected, though the specialist who discharged me had been relaxed about my doing so as much as I liked.

Then lockdown came about nine months after my operation, and I got into Zwift riding on a pretty basic set-up. My club was doing virtual inter-club time trials against other local clubs, and I've been doing those (we've just restarted for winter). In the real world, once Covid allowed, I've been back to 100km (mostly) and 200km events, and ridden most of my club's evening 11-mile TT series. The main thing restricting my riding is that I'm still working from home, so not doing the same commuting mileage, although that was only ever a steady handful of miles a day.

Everyone's experience is different, but yes, subject to medical advice, you can get back to it.

[Dave678]

I used to be a keen cyclist like yourself Cyclemaster but after my 2nd HA I got myself an ebike + finding it great. Can go reasonably far distances again but, more importantly, get assistance when I feel like I need it! The other half has got one as well + enjoys going with me as she can easily keep up with the pace.

[Andyman]

I started walking. Going longer and longer upto 10 km. I got to the point one day that it was easier to run than walk. So I started lightly running. This was 9 months after my heart attack. So I was walking some days and running 5 to 10 Kms on other days. Then I added cycling as well to breakup the routine a bit. Didn't do electric bikes and didn't do indoor training. Built up slowly to 50 km. I didn't work to a preset heart rate as my heart beat is 42 BPM at rest and watches wanted me to go at 60 resting rates. Was just knowing and trusting the feeling my body was giving.

But I had also stopped drinking and eating a really healthy diet and got my weight down to the ideal weight. I think diet, weight, exercise and mental attitude all go together.

The main thing is a little at a time. Slowly does it. Healthier and fitter than I've ever been.

Always take my spray with me though. 9 years on now.

[Cyclemaster]

Thanks for the replies, really encouraging reading other people who have got back to riding , I found it’s really knocked my confidence after the HA but reading comments from people who have been through similar has really helped, so for now the road bike will stay on the wall and I’ve dusted off the old hybrid that’s been languishing at the back of the shed for the last five years after I got into road cycling , I’m going to start out on the cycle trails that are mostly flat close to me and build up from that . Thanks again CM

[fixedrider]

Everyone's lanes, and everyone's experience, are different. Just to remark though that lack of activity, as we all know very well, also has risks. As I understand it, the consensus amongst the medical profession is that, in terms of life-years gained and lost, the benefits of cycling outweigh the risks by 20:1. And there's some very good Bikeability cycle training now - much better than the old Cycling Proficiency.

What's more, lockdown improved things in my experience, because so many people took up cycling that, when cars came back to the roads, lots more drivers could see things from both sides - cyclists have always tended to be drivers as well, but now the other way around is more often true. So the roads feel safer to me.

There are lots of other ways to get exercise, but cycling can be built into life as a way of getting to places, in a manner that is harder with swimming, unless you live by the Thames! So, what with benefits to hearts and climate, I hope that we can get to a point where traffic doesn't discourage too many would-be riders.

[Hidden]

Almost exactly the same experience as you, my HA and three stents was 10 months ago and my return to cycling has been very slow and steady. Three times a week I’m now cycling 50km plus but I can’t ride at intensity anymore, I stay in HR zone 2 and 3 and keep my average HR below 130. My advice is slow and steady, complete cardiac rehab first and listen to your nurses.

[Mentdent]

I have an electric bike. 5 levels of assistance. Best thing since sliced bread. If you’re an experienced cyclist the speed limit for assistance of 25K can cut in quite a lot.

[James4540]

Hi, like yourself I’m a keen cyclist, was mostly on my road bikes, had HA in April 2019 day after a short 20 mile hilly ride, (felt ache in chest when 2 miles in and continued for rest of day) HA kicked in next morning at 5:30.Have been on the road bike through last couple of years between hospital procedures but never to intensity I rode to before, a few months ago a friend introduced me to his full suspension E-MTB (been a few years since done MTB) , wow what a difference, it’s got to be experienced to be appreciated, they are excellent imo, you can make it as easy or as hard as you like due to different modes and remember it’s ‘assistance’ not drive, key is to spin to get the benefit .

You can go further without killing your self 👍

Ended up with a Trek Rail which is an absolute machine

If you want road the new Scott doesn’t even look electric 👍

Good luck

[Cyclemaster]

Thanks everyone , my only experience on electric was 3 years ago , on holiday in Gran Canaria I hired an electric to ride up a mountain road , I have to say I smiled all the way up and thought then that I would invest in one at some point. My brother in law who is an all action ex military type bought an electric mountain bike after receiving a new hip and loves it . I think I have some serious thinking to do . Thanks again CM

[ChoochSiesta]

Had a MI in 2014 stent fitted. Soon got back cycling and still do 60 miles a week now. I have just been diagnosed with 2 more bunged arteries, but I am still cycling with no symptoms, just have to stay below 140 bpm if I can.

[Thecyclist]

Good to see so many getting back on the bike. I had an incident also well into a bike ride, no HA but tachycardia and palpitations, ended up in hospital with a BP crisis, BP somewhere over 250/140, A&E thought I was odds on for a stroke or HA but thankfully nothing happened, no chest pains and no symptoms other than PVC/tachy runs. Ended up with several ECG's with some NSVT, PVC's etc. Echo all clear but found mild LVH. Still under investigation.

Waiting on an Angiogram now to see if there are any blockages, been too scared to venture back onto the bike since TBH. Was doing 50-100km rides regularly and did quite a few century rides, lots of hills (I live in Wales) and trips to Mallorca. Gutted as I love cycling. My EP says I should be able to get back to it, on a high dose Bisoprolol so can't get HR above 100 without feeling like I am going to pass out. E bike is on my list, Canyon Grail On is my current list topper but its £5k !

Walking at least 5km a day now, but do 15km walks up hills with no issues.