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Death avoidance pre training testing

 
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Asmodeus2112
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Joined: 10 Nov 2008
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:22 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Death avoidance pre training testing Reply with quote

I know the media loves these stories, so I don't know how much risk there really is, but it seems like every month or so there's another story of a middle aged man dropping dead while competing in a marathon or similar event.

Question: Is there a set of tests that make sense if you're a 40 something that is on a track to increase the level of exersice intesity (MTB and Road racing)? Is there a recommended sport medicine practice in Austin that conducts these types of tests? My PCP didn't have any ideas where to begin...
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The Bike Doc
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Joined: 08 May 2003
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Location: Corpus Christi and Warda, Texas

PostPosted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 7:09 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

Asmodeus2112:

A graded cardiopulmonary exercise test would be in order to help assess you for risk of cardiac problems before pushing the envelope of training. Most of the Cardiologist groups in Austin should have access to this kind of testing. The University of Texas has a program for doing this kind of test for athletes and may be another resource for you.

Thanks,
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Asmodeus2112
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:01 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you Very Happy
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Redmountainbike
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:33 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is also something called a Heart Saver CT;

"HeartSaver CT shows calcium deposits that might be present in and around the heart...even in early stages, where you have a much greater chance of treating and even curing the disease. Depending on the indicated amounts of plaque, early intervention with drugs or lifestyle changes can stop or even reduce the buildup."

My insurance doesn't cover this since it is considered "preventative" (go figure), but I'm definitely going to have one done this year (age 61). They are cheaper in San Antonio than in Austin, but not enough difference to head south.

However, some fear that a symptomatic people with high calcium scores will be pressured into invasive procedures with no ultimate benefit.
Interesting discussion here: http://www.creators.com/health/david-lipschitz-lifelong-health/heartsaver-ct-scan-more-often-a-heartbreaker.html

Worth thinking and reading about. I also just read about a book called "Heal Your Heart with EECP: The only noninvasive way to overcome heart disease. It is a way of revascularizing the heart
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racer99
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am not familiar with the heartsaver CT scan, but I assume that it uses a radioactive injection then the scan ocurrs to see what is going on. Count me as someone that wished I had that level of "inspection" - from what my cardiologist believes happened, I had calcification on one major artery, with over 95% blockage, and the other major artery had developed to "help" the situation and supply blood to the other side of the heart. That could have been discovered with a radioactive scan, but at my annual physical everything looked good, EKG fine, etc. so I did not take that additional step. Everything was fine until something else ocurred to cause a blockage on the good artery. I was dead when I hit the floor - saved only because there was an EMT and an ER at the restaurant we were at when it happened. This was in CO on a riding trip - we had ridden for 6 days and I had no warnings. 3 stents, 2 bypasses, and 3 months later I am riding again. I'm no doctor, but I'd suggest to anyone to have the more extensive testing.
Steve Kramer
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Redmountainbike
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 8:14 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am so glad you are recovered and back on the bike. I read your story on the rider forum and wished you well at the time. It sounded so dire, I wasn't sure of the final outcome.

This is the blurb from the Heart Saver CT Web site; http://www.heartsaverct.com/index.aspx?CORE_ElementID=HSCT_HHSA_Procedure

It doesn't take much time...you could go through the entire process, from paperwork to completing the scan during a normal lunch hour. The actual procedure itself is less than 7 minutes. Physician's read your scan and determine your calcium score from very low to very high. We send the report directly to your physician, unless you are self-referred, in which case, we send you the report. HeartSaver CT is completely non-invasive. That means it is totally pain-free. There are no needles, no dyes, no injections and no exercise. All you do is lay still on an exam table that is completely open, and a HeartSaver CT technician will "take pictures." There is no more radiation than a standard X-ray, so HeartSaver CT is virtually risk-free, as well. HeartSaver CT is highly accurate. In fact, studies indicate an accuracy of 95 to 98 percent.
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DJ
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:22 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you know if this available anywhere in north Texas, DFW area?
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zoenin
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 2:42 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

On the flip side of this are recommendations from Exercise Physiologists. On our end we recommend getting a graded exercise stress test every 5 years at age 40 for men and 50 for women. Through analysis of the EKG specialists can notice as little as 10% change in cardiac function.
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the toninator
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:32 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

DJ wrote:
Do you know if this available anywhere in north Texas, DFW area?


try this place

http://thehearthospitalbaylor.com/
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racer99
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:01 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

T: don't know if they had that, but they do a mean bypass!
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khighfield
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:05 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

racer99 wrote:
T: don't know if they had that, but they do a mean bypass!


Any chance you can make it down to visit with us at Warda, Steve? It would be good to see you not hooked up to a bunch of tubes and machines.
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racer99
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 8:03 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just saw this, Kevin. Machines? Tubes? What's that? Just got back from a biz meeting, hit the road for some miles....I am doing the 4 wheel racing thing in college station next weekend, might be able to fit in a trip to H-town. I'll let you know.
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khighfield
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 8:35 pm GMT +0000    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah - try and come on down. Racing at Cypresswood on Saturday.
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