Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,753
Bikes: 1986 KHS Fiero, 1989 Trek 950, 1990 Trek 7000, 1991 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, 1992 Trek 1400, 1997 Cannondale CAD2 R300, 1998 Cannondale CAD2 R200, 2002 Marin San Rafael, 2006 Cannondale CAAD8 R1000, 2010 Performance Access XCL9R
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I think about it. But not as much as a year ago.
Two years ago I decided to do something about my weight, and that was weight loss surgery. Part of the workup to that included a sleep study and cardiology. And she scared the crap out of me. A diagnosis of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction was given. And I was started in a cardiac rehab program. Echo was done, and at least I had a good score for Ejection Fraction. 67 is pretty good. My cholesterol numbers were never bad, but would be in a few more years. My BP was 152/85 on medication, and resting heart rate was 105 to 110... Also, severe obstructive sleep apnea. And the cardiologist again, scared me. Since I acknowledged I had a problem after that sleep study, I readily accepted that CPAP machine have been nearly 100% compliant since...
Now, 1 year after surgery, I'm down 113 pounds, 135 total. BP is now 105/65 and resting HR is 65 to 69. I've been released from the Cardiac Rehab program. But absolutely continue cardio as well as riding... I ride with a HRM chest belt. I am clear for 110% workouts. And back off at anything over 170. Now, I have spiked 180 on the bike, but not from actually excercising. I spiked from FEAR before a descent... (I crashed and broke my back on a fast descent 8 years ago...)
Yeah. I think about it. I'm 56, and have a better shot now of seeing many more birthdays...