"An Unexpected Incident"
Yes, Jack did have a Heart Attack. And I’m happy to say I’m here to talk about the experience. There have been a number of athletes who didn’t make that finish line and if they had then I’m sure they would want you to know what took place.
I am writing this story as an educational brief. Picture it as a set of flash cards of Helpful Hints on training through ALL that discomfort and maybe one of those cards might pertain to you.
We as athletes most of the time treat pain our discomfort as a norm. How many times during a workout do we tell ourselves, two more laps…, just one more interval…or another 10 miles on the bike and then we will be finished. We reassure ourselves everyday that the reward for all our stress and strain that our bodies endure during training will be rewarded on Race Day. We’re athletes, and that’s what athletes do.
I have a family history of heart disease caused by high cholesterol. My mother had a stroke in her eighties and so did my father. I have always paid attention to my readings over the years, which are above average at 219. The doctor that looks after me was never concerned because my good cholesterol, HDL, is at an optimal level and it offsets the elevated reading. My resting HR is 35 with a max of 163.
Those who know me well know that I deal with dizziness sometimes when I stand up. I always thought that was part of being a decent athlete with a low pulse rate. I was at a dinner party one-night telling a friend that I had just ridden five hours on the bike. I was explaining to her about how we hydrate and eat, and all the other stuff that goes with a long ride. As I stood up to say good-by, I keeled over big time crashing to the floor, hitting the piano on the way down quite musically to the amazement of the rest of the guests. The next day I was in the cardiologist’s office on the treadmill doing major stress testing while wired as if I was flying into outer space. All negative, just like the other two that I had gone through before. The doctor (a good cyclist) felt that because of the multisport issue my electrolyte levels were always in a depleted stage. He suggested drinking more Gatorade. That seemed to help out great.
Also what had gone on over the years was a chest pain that would come and last for a minute or two then go away. The pain was a sharp crushing sensation that almost took my breath away. I would be sitting driving or just at home and it would come on. After a few consultations with the docs, heartburn was the conclusion; so I went with that.
The week of August 8th was a great training week for me. I put in over 15 hours of cycling and swimming. Coming back from Ventura on Sunday I decided that I would keep on training through part of the week and then start resting for SB Tri, maybe getting a little peak for the race. Monday morning I went off to Los Banos to swim, got to the pool and never left the car. Something wasn’t right. I felt really tired so I went back home. Tuesday up bright and early and headed off to the pool thinking that maybe taking the Monday was a good idea. I arrived and the same thing happened. I felt just not very centered. I again went home without swimming. Wednesday I got up still not 100%, drank some orange juice, dispensed with the coffee, told myself that if I just got into the water I would be OK. I jumped in with the fast guys and started doing intervals. Half way through my chest felt a little tight, like just an overuse issue. As I was swimming I was trying to figure out what was going on. I walked through what I had done different in the morning and of course it was the orange juice, heartburn. I finished up, went home, started eating my breakfast and my chest started hurting again. I called Marguerite and she suggested that I eat some toast. There was no relief and at this point the only thing that helped was to walk in circles in the living room. I realized now that the pain wasn’t going away and it was becoming out of control but felt embarrassed to call 911 for help. I was still convinced that I was in control of the situation. Elizabeth showed about that moment, took one look at me and said we are going to Urgent Care. I was having a Heart Attack right in my own house.
The rest of the story about the family support, doctors, nurses, ambulance ride and the wonderful care I received at Urgent Care, ER & CCU at Cottage (28 caring people) that saved my life I will write later on.
What I would like to leave you with if any of you find yourself bordering on out of control pain, Use the pain meter test. It’s simple. Ask yourself on a 1 to 10 scale where does your pain fit in. Maybe you fall off your bike and bruise you hand, are you at 3 level? You break a collarbone, maybe a 6 or 7? When the pain is intense and takes takes your breath away, it’s time to call for HELP. Just that one simple exercise that you can add to your training regimen might save you, a close friend or loved one’s LIFE. Don’t wait for it to pass and then forget about it. Pay attention and get checked out.
Thanks for all the phone calls and support. Love you Guys and I will see you on the road soon.
Jack
I am writing this story as an educational brief. Picture it as a set of flash cards of Helpful Hints on training through ALL that discomfort and maybe one of those cards might pertain to you.
We as athletes most of the time treat pain our discomfort as a norm. How many times during a workout do we tell ourselves, two more laps…, just one more interval…or another 10 miles on the bike and then we will be finished. We reassure ourselves everyday that the reward for all our stress and strain that our bodies endure during training will be rewarded on Race Day. We’re athletes, and that’s what athletes do.
I have a family history of heart disease caused by high cholesterol. My mother had a stroke in her eighties and so did my father. I have always paid attention to my readings over the years, which are above average at 219. The doctor that looks after me was never concerned because my good cholesterol, HDL, is at an optimal level and it offsets the elevated reading. My resting HR is 35 with a max of 163.
Those who know me well know that I deal with dizziness sometimes when I stand up. I always thought that was part of being a decent athlete with a low pulse rate. I was at a dinner party one-night telling a friend that I had just ridden five hours on the bike. I was explaining to her about how we hydrate and eat, and all the other stuff that goes with a long ride. As I stood up to say good-by, I keeled over big time crashing to the floor, hitting the piano on the way down quite musically to the amazement of the rest of the guests. The next day I was in the cardiologist’s office on the treadmill doing major stress testing while wired as if I was flying into outer space. All negative, just like the other two that I had gone through before. The doctor (a good cyclist) felt that because of the multisport issue my electrolyte levels were always in a depleted stage. He suggested drinking more Gatorade. That seemed to help out great.
Also what had gone on over the years was a chest pain that would come and last for a minute or two then go away. The pain was a sharp crushing sensation that almost took my breath away. I would be sitting driving or just at home and it would come on. After a few consultations with the docs, heartburn was the conclusion; so I went with that.
The week of August 8th was a great training week for me. I put in over 15 hours of cycling and swimming. Coming back from Ventura on Sunday I decided that I would keep on training through part of the week and then start resting for SB Tri, maybe getting a little peak for the race. Monday morning I went off to Los Banos to swim, got to the pool and never left the car. Something wasn’t right. I felt really tired so I went back home. Tuesday up bright and early and headed off to the pool thinking that maybe taking the Monday was a good idea. I arrived and the same thing happened. I felt just not very centered. I again went home without swimming. Wednesday I got up still not 100%, drank some orange juice, dispensed with the coffee, told myself that if I just got into the water I would be OK. I jumped in with the fast guys and started doing intervals. Half way through my chest felt a little tight, like just an overuse issue. As I was swimming I was trying to figure out what was going on. I walked through what I had done different in the morning and of course it was the orange juice, heartburn. I finished up, went home, started eating my breakfast and my chest started hurting again. I called Marguerite and she suggested that I eat some toast. There was no relief and at this point the only thing that helped was to walk in circles in the living room. I realized now that the pain wasn’t going away and it was becoming out of control but felt embarrassed to call 911 for help. I was still convinced that I was in control of the situation. Elizabeth showed about that moment, took one look at me and said we are going to Urgent Care. I was having a Heart Attack right in my own house.
The rest of the story about the family support, doctors, nurses, ambulance ride and the wonderful care I received at Urgent Care, ER & CCU at Cottage (28 caring people) that saved my life I will write later on.
What I would like to leave you with if any of you find yourself bordering on out of control pain, Use the pain meter test. It’s simple. Ask yourself on a 1 to 10 scale where does your pain fit in. Maybe you fall off your bike and bruise you hand, are you at 3 level? You break a collarbone, maybe a 6 or 7? When the pain is intense and takes takes your breath away, it’s time to call for HELP. Just that one simple exercise that you can add to your training regimen might save you, a close friend or loved one’s LIFE. Don’t wait for it to pass and then forget about it. Pay attention and get checked out.
Thanks for all the phone calls and support. Love you Guys and I will see you on the road soon.
Jack
posted by Jack B # 5:03 PM 
Comments:
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Thanks, as always, for the sage words of advice. I'm sure your experience will be useful in the future, when it is my turn to have an "unexpected incident."
I will enjoy reading about your latest "comeback" as it progresses.
I will enjoy reading about your latest "comeback" as it progresses.
# posted by 
: 8:20 PM
: 8:20 PM
Dear Jack, I just read about your heart attach in the newspress and am glad to read that you are recovering nicely. I'm sorry you've had this little set back but appreciate your advice to others about the pain. Once again you may be saving someone with that advice.Take care, be well and do what the doctor says!
Issy
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Issy
# posted by : 5:36 PM
: 5:36 PM<< Home
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