Heart issues and Rollercoasters

[mikkiblueeyes]

Good Morning,

Background-DH had a small heart attack last year. They implanted a defibrillator some months ago. He hasn't had any heart issues since the heart attack last year.

We talked to his cardiologist about our upcoming Disney trip (end of October/beginning of November) about what he can and can't do.

His Dr. said no rollercoasters. So we know Expedition Everest, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Rock N Roller Coaster.

Is there anything else we should avoid?

thank you all for your help.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Good Morning,

Background-DH had a small heart attack last year. They implanted a defibrillator some months ago. He hasn't had any heart issues since the heart attack last year.

We talked to his cardiologist about our upcoming Disney trip (end of October/beginning of November) about what he can and can't do.

His Dr. said no rollercoasters. So we know Expedition Everest, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Rock N Roller Coaster.

Is there anything else we should avoid?

thank you all for your help.

There should be signs in front of any ride that could cause potential problems.

To add to your list:
Splash Mountain
Tower of Terror
Primeval Whirl
Dinosaur (?)
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Barnstormer
Star Tours
Mission Space
Test Track (?)

 

[lroger01]

A lot of those rides also say you shouldn't ride with high-blood pressure, yet many do with no problems. A good chunk of those warnings are for CYA.

OP, if you get the chance, ask the heart doc what sensation he should avoid. Is it centrifical force (pulling G's)? Rough/jerky? Emergency stops? Tight restraints? Panic/scared to death situations? and so on. Knowing the specific sensations that are most likely to cause issues will help you decide what's ok. For example, Haunted Mansion might not have any warnings, yet not be a good idea for someone terrified of ghosts.

 

[BobC]

I can definitely speak to this since my dad was in the same situation.

He was 65-70 with heart ailments (bypass surgery and defrib/pacemaker implant. Received implant probably 6 months prior to a trip. I remember immediately after surgery he stated 'the surgeon said I can still ride coasters at Disney! Fun times...) but was very healthy with no other issues.

He rode Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Test Track, Everest, Dinosaur, Mission Space (mild version), Soarin, without any adverse side effects.

He never felt dizzy afterwards nor did he have any chest pains.

Take this with a grain of salt since every person is different and every situation unique.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I think that an important distinction is the "fear" that the rider feels leading up to and during a ride. Some people freak out, and I wouldn't think that this would be a good thing for someone with a heart condition. But for those who have absolutely no fear, you need only consider his ability to withstand the physical stress. The only WDW ride that imposes any real physical stress is Everest, when going backward, RnRc when accelerating at the beginning, and the Orange version of Mission to Mars. There are other rides that are very jerky, but not sure that they would be a heart/blood pressure stressor.

 

[BobC]

I think that an important distinction is the "fear" that the rider feels leading up to and during a ride. Some people freak out, and I wouldn't think that this would be a good thing for someone with a heart condition. But for those who have absolutely no fear, you need only consider his ability to withstand the physical stress. The only WDW ride that imposes any real physical stress is Everest, when going backward, RnRc when accelerating at the beginning, and the Orange version of Mission to Mars. There are other rides that are very jerky, but not sure that they would be a heart/blood pressure stressor.

Good point.

Additionally, Disney itself adds to the stress factor and puts a toll on one's body. The physical exertion of walking 6-8 miles per day, oppressing heat and humidity, stress of the crowds and keeping to a schedule, waiting in lines....all things which could lead to a health event even more so than a rollercoaster.

 

[RustManFan]

at least many of the heat and humidity issues will be greatly reduced when you are traveling!

 

[angierae]

Blood pressure warnings are for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is well controlled, then you should be fine on a roller coaster. As for the OP, if the doc says no, I wouldn't do it or any of the rides that warn about heart issues (which is, sadly, lots of them, for the aforementioned CYA reasons)

 

[disnut8]

I think the one person who should be answering this question is the OP's husband's doctor. I agree with the roller coaster thing but the other ones that have been listed should be shown via Youtube to the doctor and he/she should make the determination. Also, that would be a good time for the OP and her husband to get more information about the visit from the doctor.

 

[Geoff_M]

I agree that one's doctor is the best person to give an answer in each person's case, but I had a small MI in 2007 (though I didn't require any implants) and have had no prohibitions against coasters placed on me, nor have I had an problems with any Disney "thrill" rides.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The issue with the defibrillator is that it can fire for abnormal, rapid rhythms. So any condition known to instigate such rhythms should ideally be avoided. This could include tachycardias (fast heart rates) from rides but also things like fluid weight or volume shifts for people who have defibrillators placed for enlarged hearts/heart failure issues - salty foods and exra fluids can contribute to this. One never knows if a defibrillator will fire, but if it does, it can be traumatic for the person and will require a trip to the hospital (or hospitals if the locals don't deal with them), so it could be pretty disruptive to both the person who has it and the rest of his party, and probably best to avoid that happening if possible. (Of course there will be people who've done it no problem and for them, great! Sometimes it takes a while to figure out how it works for each individual.)

OP maybe he could take it easy this trip, since it's relatively new, but if he goes years without any problems, perhaps you can re-evaluate it with his doctor for future trips.

 

[Catvondita]

I agree with the person who posted a list of rides; those to seem to be the ones to look out for. However, lots of people can do them even with heart problems and high blood pressure. I myself have arrhythmia, not one of the serious ones but it gets set off when I'm nervous, after having caffeine, or if I drank too much the night before. I've never had problems or felt dizzy and faint after any of these rides. If anything my arrhythmia would go off after being stuck in the heat too long. Everyone is different so its hard to say what you should or shouldn't do. At the end of the day I would play it safe and avoid all the rides mentioned above.

 

[marielynn724]

The attractions are clearly marked if they should be avoided by anyone with health concerns (heart issues, back issues, expectant mothers, etc.) If there's an attraction you're not sure about, just ask a CM and they'll be happy to advise you

 

[disnut8]

The attractions are clearly marked if they should be avoided by anyone with health concerns (heart issues, back issues, expectant mothers, etc.) If there's an attraction you're not sure about, just ask a CM and they'll be happy to advise you

But - an example of why talking to your doctor is a good idea - I broke my neck in 2006 and it will always be broken although no one can tell it by looking at me. I avoided anything that said not to ride if you had a neck problem. Then, in 2012, we took our son, daughter-in-law and two grandkids to Disney World and I wanted to enjoy things with the kids. So, I went to my doctor and asked what I should avoid. He examined my neck and said, "I'm more concerned with you driving in the Atlanta area and getting hit from the back." He explained that I wouldn't have any padding in my car, just the seat belt which might prove a bit dangerous if the snap back was too great but theme park rides have padding and safety controls in place. So, I rode everything I could on that 2012 trip and have done so on every trip since then.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

But - an example of why talking to your doctor is a good idea

Agreed, and that would have been my first bit of advice, if the OP hadn't clearly stated they had already discussed the issue with the doctor. This thread serves merely to augment the doctor's advice, not substitute it.

 

[Geoff_M]

The attractions are clearly marked if they should be avoided by anyone with health concerns (heart issues, back issues, expectant mothers, etc.) If there's an attraction you're not sure about, just ask a CM and they'll be happy to advise you

But let's be honest, those warnings are more rooted in an attempt at minimizing legal liability instead of a true medical contraindication.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

The OP's question was simply which rides to avoid. Personally, I would be very conservative about avoiding ride-stress after a defibrillator was implanted, and just keep checking with my doctor over time to see if his recommendations ever change. In the meantime, to the list the 2nd poster made, I would add: The Teacups. Having an implanted defibrillator can not really be compared with other heart issues.

 

[disnut8]

Agreed, and that would have been my first bit of advice, if the OP hadn't clearly stated they had already discussed the issue with the doctor. This thread serves merely to augment the doctor's advice, not substitute it.

But the post I was referring to said to ask the Cast Member about whether the guest should ride the attraction. I was indicating the guest should ask the doctor before the trip, not a Cast Member who is not part of the medical community. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Fizban]

I'm just going to be simple with my reply. Dont do anything that makes you afraid. I dont like heights. If i have been told i have a heart condition guess what? I'm not doing coasters, TOT, etc...

 

[TowMater92]

My dad has had bypass surgery, he has a defibrillator, has had stints and a couple of heart attacks and he still rides all the roller coasters and his doctor said its fine. He doesn't ride Mission Space but no one in my family does because none of us like it. Everyone is different so I would follow the doctors advice and stay off RnR, ToT, MS, BTMR, SM, Dino and EE. Up to you on Splash its not bad except one drop and TT isn't a big deal its like riding in a convertible car at 65mph. Everything else should be fine.