Fair ground rides

A weird one, I've got a 9 year old daughter, so fairs, theme parks are part of the parcel.

Went to a fair, hopped on to one of rides with my daughter, it seemed unassuming, timid.

But bloody hell ,30 seconds in it was like being in a High force G training machine and it went forwards, backwards, sideways, up and down.

My screams were the loudest ( hangs his head in shame)..

I thought OMG !!!! will I survive.

I did survive, I got off, but I won't be doing that again , no bloody way lol!!!!!!

anyone else developed a fairground/ theme park hesitancy since a heart event or was I a big wimp.

[Fanfab1]

I don’t think it’s even about hesitancy as a lot of rides say if you have a heart condition your not allowed on the ride.

Adrenaline is not great for the heart - increases heart rate and narrows arteries.

But If the ride had no warning for heart patients (i..e deemed ok) and going on it didn’t bring on any heart issues or angina ……then you are just a wimp. 😂

[Hidden in reply to Fanfab1]

🤣 wimp it is then 🤣

[Jedi14 in reply to Hidden]

What ever made you do that? If your a "hearty", that's the equivalent of pushing yourself under a bus! I think the term wimp does not apply here.

[IanMK]

I can’t do those enormous Galleon swings, but then I never could 🤢

[LindaLittleBear in reply to IanMK]

Me neither I remember the first and only time I went on one. I was hysterical and screamed so loud they stopped it and let me off , I chucked up and have never been on any fair ride since 😱🤢🙃

[Bikafella in reply to IanMK]

I stopped riding those things in my late 40's.Motorbikes are my thing and nowhere near as frightening. Don't feel intimidated by others telling you to "grow up" you'll be doing the grown up thing.

[TheBesty]

I want to go on the new coaster at Thorpe park but keep being advised against it... mehhhh ☹️ The ride you went on sounds great!! 👍

[Hidden in reply to TheBesty]

I needed a whiskey to calm me down lol

[Barry883]

I can understand your feeling as theme parks have tons od dangerous rides, we feel excited to take rides for adrenaline boost but once face the fear only then you will conquer it so yes!! keep going on theme parks with family to spend quality time and take rides as well.

[adiwillow in reply to Barry883]

hmm i think you're missing the point of the question? It's not about facing your fears, but being sensible as to which rides people with heart conditions can safely go on.

[Barry883 in reply to adiwillow]

sorry, I didn't get it thoroughly.

[Judithdalston]

Not for me, what can be mild dizziness on the ground is exaggerated 10x on such rides!

[AuntyEdna]

I understand where you’re coming from , I never could take anything more exciting than a garden swing - but I now know why - microvascular angina and mitral valve disease

So you’ll have to be the designated ‘ bag carrier’ and wave from the side lines like I do and enjoy watching others enjoy these rides - it can be great fun if you like people watching 😂 - don’t think you’re a wimp at all ☺️

[wischo]

Nah stay away from them!! can never understand why anybody would want to scare the life out of themselves for no good reason. Theres a reason they have the shaky heart signs😱🫢🥶

[invictaAlec in reply to wischo]

Agreed! Not only scare the life out of you but you have to pay for the "privilege" too!

[Murderfan58]

You are not a wimp . I have never been able to go on fast rides not even the carousel 🎠 since a child due to disability didn't know at the time why I felt ill after being one them and I fell over and my walking got worse. Didn't have my diagnosis for hereditary Hyperekplexia gene mutation SLC6A5 type 3 until 2022 . And the hole in my heart I was born with wasn't found until 2020/2021. I have PAF . My husband went on rides with our children but he never liked them but did it until the kids where old enough to go on by themselves.

Main thing is you tired and now know your limits . 😊

[Bonham123]

I was a season pass holder at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and after I had my stent fitted, I asked my cardiologist if I could still go on rides. After she'd stopped laughing, because she'd never been asked that before, she said absolutely I could still go on them, but obviously if I felt any pain etc, to stop.As for the fear factor, it has multiplied 10 fold but I put that down to age ( I'm 54 ) and the fact that I get scared on rides anyway but that's part of the fun.

Strangely enough, on a holiday last year, I wouldn't go in the pool or the sea incase they were too cold and I had a heart attack. Go figure 😂

[Jetcat]

I don’t think you are being a wimp baly. There’s certain things I’d think twice about doing with me having afib.

I wouldn’t want to do something that’s going to get my adrenaline flowing and heart banging with fear then maybe have a three hour AFIB episode later.!👍

[EmmJayTea]

Whether or not a ride is advisable for you will depend on your condition. If you have a condition that is exacerbated by adrenaline, or you have an ICD, then it would be ill-advised.

I absolutely love theme park rides, but am not allowed on them any more and would not want to risk it. I have arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Even a slight rise in adrenaline throws me into arrhythmia and, for me, this is VT/VF and sudden cardiac arrest territory, hence having an ICD.

One of the first people I met in hospital had an ICD which fired when he went on a rapids ride. The device had detected his increased heart rate and "treated" it, with an inappropriate shock. His story has stayed with me.

So, there is no size fits all here. It really depends on you as an individual and your condition.

[TedSpaniel]

We are off to California in August but I won’t even consider going on a Rollercoaster, the signs aren’t there for fun. Granted is they may well go on the side of any possibility of being sued. But I don’t want to risk it.

[VelvetSky]

I can manage the Small World boat ride at Disney😂

[Digger0]

I went on the Waltzers on the last day of the fair many years ago - like nearly 40 - and the lad wizzed us around and around. When I got off I one those and lay down with my head under my pillow for half an hour. That was well before my hole in the heart was diagnosed! No, you are not a WIMP!

[Hidden]

Thanks for the replies all, it was a light hearted subject and I think I will watch and wave from now on .

Never did like rides anyway, queuing for hours, hassled by wasps, costing a fortune.

[GrannyE in reply to Hidden]

I agree. Why bother? Lots of other things to do which don’t upset the metabolism.

[Bruce67]

You wouldn't catch me in those before any heart issues arise, let alone now! 😱

[Millstonemaison]

if you have a PM bumper cars are a no-no too, unshielded electric motor and lots of sparks from the contact arm!

[Sandych55]

I am a white knuckle ride loving 68 year old with paroxysmal afib. My consultant said go for it. I've been fine so far but am avoiding Tron and Mission Space (huge Disney fan)

[Jako999]

I love theme parks and the bigger the coasters the better, we’ve been to the states loads of times. I’ve been advised after 2x HT and a quad CABG not to go on them again 😪😪😪

[Suebedoo]

Your post made me laugh out loud. I have a fear of rides. I also recall a time we took my mum on a children’s ride. She didn’t usually do rides because she had heart issues and vertigo. We thought it would be okay on this ride but same thing happened, the ride whizzed round one way then the other way then up and down - it was like being in a washing machine. Mum just got hysterical giggles because she knew how bad it would be afterwards.

[BaronFrankenstein]

I want to go to Alton Towers sometime later this year, my mate can get is free tickets as well. But i do worry a bit that the stress i always get in anticipation of the ride will make me feel ill before i get on. Im usually ok once im on its just the queuing. Im 50 btw.

[Hidden in reply to BaronFrankenstein]

I've decided not to bother with rides now, I'm 53 and will watch my wife and daughter do them. I hated then anyway, now I've got the perfect excuse 😂

[adiwillow in reply to BaronFrankenstein]

only go on rides you're comfortable with, if any. Start early in the day with easy ones, then move up. I used to work at Alton Towers (show tech) . It was a long time ago but if you fancy a big ride which isn't too bad, go on Nemesis. It looks much worse than it is, and is one of the gentler big rides.

[BaronFrankenstein in reply to adiwillow]

Nemesis is my favourite ride. Theyve given it an overhaul now and reopened the alien themed experience alongside it I believe.

My mate works at Alton Tower doing mechanical maintenance.

[adiwillow in reply to BaronFrankenstein]

I remember going on it on the night they open up the rides to the staff, so everything was dark Fun times.

[Cavalierrubie]

My stomach turns over at the thought of doing that! Please, no way, don’t even think of ever doing that again. Stick to milkshakes lol.

[Hidden in reply to Cavalierrubie]

😂 agreed

[DodgyRog]

I have just come back from Disney Florida. I celebrated my 77th Birthday whilst there with my Grandsons 2 & 5, my wife, daughter with son in law and his parents. I had aortic valve replaced 9 years ago. I did a lot of the rides including mission space, tower of terror etc but skipped the massive rollercoasters to avoid any damage through being chucked about too much. I say go for it. Ignore the warning signs about not riding etc because that’s just the compensation culture standard get out clause. Enjoy the thrills. Some of the simulators are realistic and frightening

[lisburb]

When I asked my Consultant if, after my Mitral Valve repair nearly 7 years ago now, if I could still go on the rides he laughed as did the Nurse in the room. He told me it was up to me, but having been on one and feeling slightly "weird" when I stepped off, I would say don't.

You just dont know how much they shake up and how much the adrenaline can affect you. I love old fashioned coasters where you dont go upside down and go very fast. I have yet to "try" one of those.

[Bluey73]

We went to Ferarri World in Abu Dhabi last year & my boyfriend was looking forward to going on the roller coaster there which is the fastest roller coaster in the world 🌎 he queued for the ride then noticed a sign saying do not go on if you have a heart condition, as he was undergoing tests for his heart, he tuned round & didn't go on.