Heart attacks and race licences

[m3psm]

I unfortunately had a heart attack a couple of weeks ago and although I appear to be recovering well, I am concerned that I won’t get another race licence.

After reviewing the MSA website it seems that I need to have an exercise tolerance electrocardiogram and the backing of my GP.

Has anyone done this ECG and got their licence back? If so, how intense was it?

At the moment any kind of physical exertion seems a million miles away and I am back in to have stents put into two more arteries in a few weeks, but really just want an idea of what level of recovery fitness to target.

Although slim and fairly fit, I have always been gym-shy and have smoked for 20 years, so was hardly a marathon runner before the heart attack.

Obviously I have quit smoking now and do intend to exercise seriously to get as fit as possible so I’m around to see my kids grow up, but is race fitness a step too far for a 42 year old ex-smoker?

Any advice would be appreciated so I can decide whether to sell up the race car or focus on using it again.

Thanks

Paul

[m3psm]

Cheers for the quick responses guys much appreciated.

Looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel which is fantastic news.

I've never had the funds to race regularly, but the idea of not being able to is very sad indeed.

I'm definately off the fags for good (nowt like terror to help with quitting) and as soon as the next proceedure is done I'll be focussing 100% on getting as fit as possible.

Good to hear that the ECG is not required. Means I only have to convince my GP that I'm fit enough... I think.

[m3psm]

Thanks again guys. Keep the info coming.

Yes the heart condition is genetic, although I didn’t know that at the time so it was a bit of a shock to put it mildly.

I’m not expecting to race this year or not even bothered if it takes a couple of years, as long as it’s a reasonable possibility. The car is sitting in the workshop where it can stay for as long as it takes. In the meantime I can tinker with it.

Cycling is the kind of exercise I was hoping would be good because gyms bore me to tears and I’m pants at swimming. Lots of woodland on my doorstep to do some gentle green-laning on.

As for medication, I never thought of that side of things. I’ve gone from hardly ever taking a headache tablet, to a myriad of drugs that I may be stuck with forever The list is;
Asprin – thins the blood
Clopidogrel (anti-platelette) – prevents clotting
Bisoprolol (beta blocker) – keeps heart rate calm
Ramipril (ace inhibitor) – lowers blood pressure
Atorvostatin – lowers cholesterol

My GP will review the beta blockers in one year because I already have concerns taking them in general.

The heart attack has damaged my heart permanently and it now apparently operates at 60%. Hopefully with clear arteries this will suffice though.

Will look into the other Doctors as that may be the way forward. Mine currently seems very understanding and keen to get me back on track, but that may be just to stop me being disheartened.

[m3psm]

Paul Dishman said:

Beta blockers are on the banned list, so you'd have to get a Therapeutic Use Exemption from the MSA if you're still on bisoprolol when the time comes.

Cheers Paul. Hoping to be off them in a year, but if not, at least I know what route to go down with the exemption. Thanks

[m3psm]

jagracer said:

If your doctor is positive then you'll probably be half way there, the person I know got nothing but hindrance from his GP and he is anti motor racing which didn't help at all.

That's what I'm hoping too. He seems to understand my concerns and appears keen to get me back out there. Still another procedure and many months of training away yet though.

[m3psm]

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.

This is a very valid point and something I think about, especially when I don't race often.

If I thought I couldn't race safely, I wouldn't race at all. At the moment I really don't know though as I get tired walking down the road.

My main goal is to get fit to be around to watch my two young daughters grow up and the having the heart attack was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. I am simply assessing my new lease of life and lifestyle options.

If it looks like it's unlikely I will ever get my licence back, then there's no point holding on to the car. I can instead get into shooting or some other tamer hobby and move on. If it looks likely that I can race the car that I built with blood, sweat and tears, then that's a great goal to work towards.

[m3psm]

jellison said:

Good luck - mainly just on getting Fit (the rest will come (or not) from there), take it gentle, build up slow.

Cheers

[m3psm]

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.

[m3psm]

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.

[m3psm]

50 & 60% damage sounds pretty severe 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

[m3psm]

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

Edited by m3psm on Thursday 20th May 07:50

[m3psm]

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

[m3psm]

More positive stories Cheers

Got another week of rest, then I can start exercising with a clear goal of passing this MSA treadmill ECG test.

Couldn't run before the heart attack due to my smashed leg, so at least it's incentive to build that up too