General question about the rides & those with heart problems

[quiltymom]

I've a question for those of you who have have members of your family (either you or someone else) who have had a heart attack in the past. I'm still trying to figure out how to word this question, so please bear with me. A member of my family who will be with on our upcoming DCA visit us experienced a heart attack about 18 months ago, so I'm just trying to figure this who ride thing out. I know that he'll ask his doctor what he can and cannot do, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask this question and see what your responses are.

Many of the fast rides have warnings for those with heart problems not to ride. Do you visit DL & DCA and not go on those rides? Or what do you do? Any advice, comments?

Thanks in advance!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have had two "small" heart attacks in the past and still ride what ever I want to. Dr.'s can suggest you do or not do something only the individual can decide.
I still scuba, para-sail and last year added hang gliding after enjoying soarin so much(just had to try it.) You do what you think is right.

Jack

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My dad went to DL about a month after having a minor heart attack (not his first). We already had the trip scheduled to take some out of town relatives while they were visiting so it wasn't convenient to postpone the trip. His doctor told him to take it easy and not do anything where he would get knocked around or anything that goes too fast. He's not a ride kind of guy anyway so he enjoyed sitting on benches, riding the train, etc. while the relatives did the rides they wanted to do. It turned out that I was about 2 months pregnant at the time so I spent a lot of time warming benches with my dad. I was just too tired and nauseous to do much. But, we still had a great time. (By the way, it was a boy! He's 12 1/2 now.)

I would advise anyone with any health concerns to consult their doctor and follow the advice they give. Have a great trip!

 

[nutshell]

Please be safe. The few times people have died on Disney rides have often been when there was a heart condition. Listen to the doctor and see what the range of possibilities are.

 

[Disney Dider]

My 7 year old son was recently diagnosed with a heart defect. His doctor said to stay away from things that would jerk you around a lot.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Personally, I would probably avoid everything with a warning. Better safe than sorry, right? Going on a ride isn't really worth it if it could pose a health risk. I mean...they are just rides after all. And there are tons of other rides and attractions you can do that will have little/no risk at all for health problems.

I'd be cautious because I have actually seen people being tended to by medics and put onto stretchers at the parks after going on things like California Screamin'.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I believe Disney is pretty good about warnings which should supplement the information from his doc. They *do* err on the side of caution- Autopia has a warning because of the potential for bumping.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I believe that most people who have problems, stem from a heart deformity, or arrhythmia. Neither one of these conditions is the same as a post MI muscle damage. Unless he has fairly bad CHF, I think that he would be safe on most rides.....but of course follow his Docs advice.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

My son has a heart disease and his doctor says nothing that tosses him around too much or raises his blood pressure. Luckily, he doesn't really care to ride the thrill rides ( but finds plenty to do at DL!). As someone else said, arrhythmias are another concern on rides for some with heart problems. Depending on the extent of damage after a MI, some might have arrhythmias. His doctor will be the best source of information.

That being said, my dad had a heart atttack while at DL a few years ago ( actually at the IHOP across the street where he and my mom were getting a late night snack after we all rode ToT). He had 2 stints put in that night and stayed a couple of nights in the hospital in CA. When he left the hospital, the cardiologist told him, " It is fine for you to go back to DL ( it was my parents' first trip to DL and they were really enjoying being there with their grandkids) and you can ride anything you want. Well, I might not ride ToT for awhile!" My parents did go back to DL with us the next day ( we insisted on renting a wheel chair for him) but I think the only ride he rode was Soarin'. Then he started having trouble with nose bleeds because of blood thinners and was back in the hospital for that ( he had a harder time with the nose bleeds then the heart attack!)

 

[nutshell]

In addition to the rides, anyone with heart trouble might want to avoid the Monte Cristo.

 

[quiltymom]

Thanks, everyone. I'm sure that he won't do anything that would stress him (or rather, my sister won't let him!). It's just good to hear from others on the subject, because I know that this topic of discussion will most likely come up in our conversations between now and then.

 

[GregC]

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