October 1, 2023
How my heart put me on two wheels
Returning to two epic American trails for my heart, health, and happiness
| Heart | 2 | Comment | 0 | Link |
October is my favorite month of the year. The colors of trees and farm fields, the aroma of fallen leaves and crisp autumn air, and farm markets and roadside stands laden with pumpkins and apples bring me joy. October 2005 looked to be yet another spectacular fall month.
My heart story
The morning of October 12 brought the joy of a memorable October to an end. I suffered a heart attack and visit to the hospital and triple coronary bypass surgery. It was not the textbook success story. I spent seventeen days in the hospital, ten in cardiac intensive care with two corrective surgeries. October was history, autumn’s colors, aromas, and flavors were unseen by me as I left the hospital.
I was determined to be among the 80% of the survivors. It did not look good at that time.
I was a changed man. A man that needed to change more. The heart attack survival statistics are sobering. The risk for patients 45 years and older suffering another heart attack is 20%, one in five. I was determined to be among the 80% of the survivors. It did not look good at that time.
I made progress in changing my life over the following three years. Lasting life changes do not occur overnight. I lost weight and became active. Five years post-surgery, my cardiologist said that I decreased the chance of a second heart attack by 80%. I have a hereditary risk of cardiovascular disease in my father’s family, most dying from a heart attack.
This may seem to be a strange introduction to a bike tour. This story motivates me eighteen years later as I embark on the journey from Washington D.C. to Pittsburgh on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail (C&O). This was my first self-supported bicycle tour in 2011. It challenged and transformed me to live outside my comfort zone and become a bicycle tourist.
I am celebrating the past eighteen years with a return to the place where my love of bicycle touring was born.
I have become a lover of seeing the world on my bike with four European and many US tours under my wheels. This is my sixth GAP and C&O tour. Retirement and the post-pandemic years have made me more reflective on life and its challenges. I am celebrating the past eighteen years with a return to the place where my love of bicycle touring was born.
| Heart | 2 | Comment | 0 | Link |
What should you expect in this journal?
I plan to share a story that weaves the history of railroads, canals, and the rise and decline of industry in an area of rich natural beauty. Woven in that tapestry are reflections on where I am today, living every day to the fullest. Expect stories about my heart health, living life after a heart attack, and what challenges me to be healthier and happier.
I hope you join me on the ride of my new life!
Tom on the trails
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 9 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 5 |
7 months ago
7 months ago
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3d2&doc_id=9091&v=7N
Here I am, 13 years later after having been told I had 2 partially blocked arteries in addition to the 2 stents in my LAD and I could expect another heart attack within 3-5 years, likely fatal.
I now ride almost daily only about 10-20 miles now due to knees going bad. My food intake is very restricted to anti inflammatory and anti oxidant foods with lots of fiber and high nutrition density. Meat is rare, but I eat fish daily, avoid fats and especially avoid sugars and refined flour items. Not any candy, cake etc. in the past 13 years. Still carrying nitro pills but never taken one yet.
I asked my Cardiologist at the beginning if the Ornish plan worked, and he said yes, but he did not recommend it for his patients. I asked why and he said "People can't stick to it." I thought, "You don't know me... yet..." He retired a couple years ago, and my new Cardiologist said "I've heard about you!"
Bottom line, a combination of diet and exercise actually does reduce blockages in cardiac arteries.
Keep it up!
7 months ago
7 months ago