Heart attacks and race licences
Discussion
jellison said:
M3p - not to put a down on this - but surely racing (stress from heart rate the start or an iffy moment on track can sent the bpm through the roof - this could Bring on a Heart attack. Is it worth it. Family and kids might be more important?
Think Denny Hulme (RIP) - died doing what he did best.
So did a lot of people, think your best mate's dad, but that has little to do with it. Jon, the people who are the real risk on the track are the likes of you and me as we are not monitored by anyone (well I am to a certain extent) and you or me could have a heart attack at any time as we are unknown quantities health wise. Paul on the other hand knows what the problems are and is closely and regularly watched by his GP and his heart consultant. The MSA are extremely anal about who they let out on track and if they say he is fit I'd be more than happy to go with that.Think Denny Hulme (RIP) - died doing what he did best.
This is true. I could have been on track when I had my heart attack out of the blue, rather than be awoken by it from a sound sleep at 1:00am.
The other point is that if I had a heart attack on track I could easilly pull over or (depending on track length) drive to a medic point. Whilst having my attack I got dressed, had a leak and grabbed my ipod whilst waiting for the ambulance, so it wasn't as dibilitating as I'd have thought. That's probably because I didn't realise it was a heart attack at the time though.
The other point is that if I had a heart attack on track I could easilly pull over or (depending on track length) drive to a medic point. Whilst having my attack I got dressed, had a leak and grabbed my ipod whilst waiting for the ambulance, so it wasn't as dibilitating as I'd have thought. That's probably because I didn't realise it was a heart attack at the time though.
m3psm said:
This is true. I could have been on track when I had my heart attack out of the blue, rather than be awoken by it from a sound sleep at 1:00am.
The other point is that if I had a heart attack on track I could easilly pull over or (depending on track length) drive to a medic point. Whilst having my attack I got dressed, had a leak and grabbed my ipod whilst waiting for the ambulance, so it wasn't as dibilitating as I'd have thought. That's probably because I didn't realise it was a heart attack at the time though.
There's heart attacks and heart attacks, you may have just not woken up at all or died instantly on track, you can't legislate for it. If it's any comfort at all, apparently the most common time for people to have heart attacks is somewhere between 1am and 5am when the body is at it's most defenceless, or should that be least defenceless?The other point is that if I had a heart attack on track I could easilly pull over or (depending on track length) drive to a medic point. Whilst having my attack I got dressed, had a leak and grabbed my ipod whilst waiting for the ambulance, so it wasn't as dibilitating as I'd have thought. That's probably because I didn't realise it was a heart attack at the time though.
Edited by jagracer on Wednesday 19th May 17:13
Yep. That makes sense. I was apparently 10 minutes away from not making it due to the damage being done by the lack of blood and ogygen 
so not waking or waiting much longer would have done the job properly.
I suppose, as with everything, there are different levels and mine was obviously fairly tame in pain levels. Compared to breaking my leg it was a walk in the park.
so not waking or waiting much longer would have done the job properly.I suppose, as with everything, there are different levels and mine was obviously fairly tame in pain levels. Compared to breaking my leg it was a walk in the park.
A mate of mine is in a similar position as you, he'd been up all night with neck and shoulder spasms. At 6 or 7am he said it got a bit worse so he got a bus down to A&E. By 7.30 he was in theatre having two stents fitted, apparently had he left it much longer he'd be toast now. He's got 50% damage to his heart but he's now back at work and not doing too badly.
I saw a friend of my brother's at a race meeting last year, I hadn't seen him for about 30 years but looking at him he just didn't look well. It turns out he'd had what he thought was a chest infection and difficulties breathing but it turned out to be a heart attack and he's now in heart failure with only a 40% functioning heart with not much that can be done short of a heart transplant.
I saw a friend of my brother's at a race meeting last year, I hadn't seen him for about 30 years but looking at him he just didn't look well. It turns out he'd had what he thought was a chest infection and difficulties breathing but it turned out to be a heart attack and he's now in heart failure with only a 40% functioning heart with not much that can be done short of a heart transplant.
Luckilly mine was only 40% and once blockages all cleared I'm hoping to be better than before with no fags, better diet and much more exercise. That's the plan anyway Bloody hell and good luck OP as I had an attack a year ago but got away with no damage that they could find using one of those 4D scanners.
I'm on the same meds as you although the blood thinner one has been stopped as it has been a year and I do still get dizzy if I get up to quickly, ie tying shoelaces. This is down to the beta blocker.
I did go to the gym before, non smoker but liked a drink, not over weight and 46 when it happened so a complete shock especially as it had not happened to the elders in my family.
I stopped riding a motorcycle back in 2003 due to an accident but a month after the attack I bought one again. Thought that if I could die lying on my bed, I might as well die in a screaming fireball.
I started walking a lot, 3 miles to a pub for a pint of Guinness and back again plus a few 6 and 12 mile walks and I got into cycling. Heart attack was in April and in Oct I cycled 60 miles to Brighton, although I did stop at a pub for a pint and a fish and chip lunch after 35 miles.
So mate, it's not the end and just take it easy and build yourself up. Good luck with the racing.
I'm on the same meds as you although the blood thinner one has been stopped as it has been a year and I do still get dizzy if I get up to quickly, ie tying shoelaces. This is down to the beta blocker.
I did go to the gym before, non smoker but liked a drink, not over weight and 46 when it happened so a complete shock especially as it had not happened to the elders in my family.
I stopped riding a motorcycle back in 2003 due to an accident but a month after the attack I bought one again. Thought that if I could die lying on my bed, I might as well die in a screaming fireball.
I started walking a lot, 3 miles to a pub for a pint of Guinness and back again plus a few 6 and 12 mile walks and I got into cycling. Heart attack was in April and in Oct I cycled 60 miles to Brighton, although I did stop at a pub for a pint and a fish and chip lunch after 35 miles.
So mate, it's not the end and just take it easy and build yourself up. Good luck with the racing.
Cheers Croyde. That's the sort of story I like to read at the moment 
Glad to hear you a) came out of it with no damage, and b) have recovered so well.
Walking and cycling will be my exercises because I can't run after a motorbike accident in 2008
so just need to insert a pub on the routes
I feeling very optimistic about my recovery with the only uncertainty being the racing. Hopefully it'll all come good
Glad to hear you a) came out of it with no damage, and b) have recovered so well.
Walking and cycling will be my exercises because I can't run after a motorbike accident in 2008
so just need to insert a pub on the routes I feeling very optimistic about my recovery with the only uncertainty being the racing. Hopefully it'll all come good
Edited by m3psm on Thursday 20th May 07:50
Tim - you lost me a bit back there. (Best mates Dad and all that)....
If you have alway been into keeping fit and not smoked or drunk excessively, you can be just as fit at 45 as you were at 25.
I am a bit vain and have gone to the gym doing weight since 16 (just to look good naked)+ do a hell of alot of Mountain Biking (alot of Events round my way as some of the best hills in the country).
I'll see if I can find a picture of me naked............ Just kidding.
If you have alway been into keeping fit and not smoked or drunk excessively, you can be just as fit at 45 as you were at 25.
I am a bit vain and have gone to the gym doing weight since 16 (just to look good naked
)+ do a hell of alot of Mountain Biking (alot of Events round my way as some of the best hills in the country).I'll see if I can find a picture of me naked............ Just kidding.
jellison said:
If you have alway been into keeping fit and not smoked or drunk excessively, you can be just as fit at 45 as you were at 25.
I am a bit vain and have gone to the gym doing weight since 16 (just to look good naked)+ do a hell of alot of Mountain Biking (alot of Events round my way as some of the best hills in the country).
I'll see if I can find a picture of me naked............ Just kidding.
There have been more than enough footballers that have died suddenly of heart attacks on and off the pitch and they must be pretty healthy. You may be cutting down the risk but none of us are immune. BTW I don't need to go to the gym as I always look fantastic naked. I am a bit vain and have gone to the gym doing weight since 16 (just to look good naked
)+ do a hell of alot of Mountain Biking (alot of Events round my way as some of the best hills in the country).I'll see if I can find a picture of me naked............ Just kidding.
Edited by jagracer on Thursday 20th May 09:38
You could try talking to this guy: http://www.spirehealthcare.com/Hull/Our-Facilities...
He is an Alfa and Monoposto racer and Cardiac Surgeon.
He is an Alfa and Monoposto racer and Cardiac Surgeon.
andy97 said:
You could try talking to this guy: http://www.spirehealthcare.com/Hull/Our-Facilities...
He is an Alfa and Monoposto racer and Cardiac Surgeon.
Cheers Andy He is an Alfa and Monoposto racer and Cardiac Surgeon.
andy97 said:
You could try talking to this guy: http://www.spirehealthcare.com/Hull/Our-Facilities...
He is an Alfa and Monoposto racer and Cardiac Surgeon.
Steven's the man that did my stress ECG and medical earlier this year. Going into his office you would think he's the owner of a classic racing team not a cardiac consultant. Most of the walls and bookcases are dedicated to motor racing with only one small bookshelf with medical books on it. He's a really nice chap to talk to and a real racing fanatic.He is an Alfa and Monoposto racer and Cardiac Surgeon.
Edited by jagracer on Thursday 20th May 12:49
Bloody hell what a shock and I hope that you'll be fine. Smoking I don't believe is the be all and end all but it won't help I guess. I am a heavy smoker and I gave up for six months using the allan car method some two years ago. No substitutes. What a bloody mistake that was. My metabolism went into free fall and I am still taking pills to rectify it, although gradually reducing dosage and yes I am back on the ciggies. A good few years back a good racing mate contracted a virus that effectively was killing his lungs and caused all sorts of side effects. (always a non smoker). He lost the sight of his left eye. Yet after a two years he got his race license back and competed in the Porsche Cup. I lost touch and only this year I found out that he had passed away last year. He had cancer. I guess he did not want me and a few race buddies to know what he was battling against. Dessie Winks RIP. (what a mad bast*rd he was)
p.s. A chap that I did a few races with last year with has stints and he has a comp license plus I think it is more about the doctor you know than your physical capabilities. Although you should be honest with yourself there are a good few guys out there racing that should not be
p.s. A chap that I did a few races with last year with has stints and he has a comp license plus I think it is more about the doctor you know than your physical capabilities. Although you should be honest with yourself there are a good few guys out there racing that should not be
Edited by graemel on Thursday 20th May 23:26
jellison said:
I am a bit vain and have gone to the gym doing weight since 16 (just to look good naked )
Seeing you naked would be enough to give anyone a heart attck, Jen must have a strong heart!!) Dad had a few ECGs over the years but as he ended up racing on a National license it was not needed and the MSA always kept an eye on him but as said above, after he'd had a quadruple bypass he was fitter (safer) then he had been for the 15 years beforehand!!
Strangely she finds my naked form some how acceptable!!
Good point on the license post the by-pass. So every possibility of getting license back, but yes it does sound like down to finding the right (Motorsport liking) Doc.
On the one eye and racing - I hav always thought that odd that they allow that, as surely your depth perception is non existant.
Good point on the license post the by-pass. So every possibility of getting license back, but yes it does sound like down to finding the right (Motorsport liking) Doc.
On the one eye and racing - I hav always thought that odd that they allow that, as surely your depth perception is non existant.
jellison said:
On the one eye and racing - I hav always thought that odd that they allow that, as surely your depth perception is non existant.
Lord Drayson races with sight in only 1 eye. IIRC that was why he did LMS in the states to prove to the fia and the ACO that he was ok. The americans would let him race the europeans wouldnt at that level.He seemed to do ok at Le Mans in the Aston.
Graham said:
jellison said:
On the one eye and racing - I hav always thought that odd that they allow that, as surely your depth perception is non existant.
Lord Drayson races with sight in only 1 eye. IIRC that was why he did LMS in the states to prove to the fia and the ACO that he was ok. The americans would let him race the europeans wouldnt at that level.He seemed to do ok at Le Mans in the Aston.
I was diagnosed with atrial flutter (under high physical workload) at the beginning of 2007 and was operated on in April 2007. I was on Beta Blockers and Warfarin for 6 months post op, but got the OK to do the Britcar 24 hour that Oct. I've also since done the LeMans 24 hour kart race and the Dubai 24 hour as well as a season in Formula V and 3 Monaca Kart Cups. As long as you keep/get yourself in shape and you can pass the MSA medical (if you're of a certain age) I'm sure you'll be fine.
As far as the ECG goes (I need one every 2 years apparently) it's a test using the Bruce protocol. This involves a treadmill and increasing speed/incline every 2 mins up to a max of 16 mins. The MSA then ask that you are monitored for 10 mins of recovery.
Hope you decide to race and that you get your licence back.....
As far as the ECG goes (I need one every 2 years apparently) it's a test using the Bruce protocol. This involves a treadmill and increasing speed/incline every 2 mins up to a max of 16 mins. The MSA then ask that you are monitored for 10 mins of recovery.
Hope you decide to race and that you get your licence back.....
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