Rides and heart medication

[Brenle]

I was wondering what rides people avoid because they are taking medication to regulate their heart. And I've never looked at the medical warnings on any rides before, but which ones have warnings regarding heart ailments?

 

[Brenle]

Well, I guess it's a good thing no one has posted = DISers with healthy hearts.

 

[Selket]

This site has a list of the ride "warnings": http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/restr.html

If there is a list of them at the Dis I don't know where to find it. I don't really see this issue addressed in the FAQ here either though there are a few posts about heart issues - dealing with a pacemaker and dealing with G-forces. If there is other stuff there I didn't see it.

I think on the weekends fewer people post so check back during the week - I think you'll get more answers!

 

[mechurchlady]

Well, I guess it's a good thing no one has posted = DISers with healthy hearts.

I am sorry that I did not post earlier but I had to go get mom her mother's day gift and dinner then flowers and a card. If Selkat's post is not enough information then ask again and I will see what I can find out.

I would recommend not doing any ride that has a heart warning. Also talk to your doctor about g-forces and about how much thrill you can handle. Roller coasters are about physical forces but some things may involve exercise like Toy Story Mania which I call my work out machine. It has a few whips around corners, can
cause some people to get dizzy or disoriented, and can be a work out if you are playing the game however I would not put that in the group of rides to avoid because of heart problems. I am glad I am ambidextrous in games or I would not survive playing that game. Some have intense emotional stuff like Fantasmic that may overtax a weak heart even though the person is setting down.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry you did not get a reply right away, but sometimes real life gets in the way.

You can look at the park maps for the attractions with warnings - they are marked with a red triangle on the map and also on a sign at the entrance to the queue and right before boarding. If you want to wait with the rest of your party in line and then leave before boarding, that is OK. You can just let the CM know at the boarding area and they will show/tell you how to get out.

For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:

• Mission Space: both the more tame (green side) and the more wild (orange side) have the same experience/movements except that the orange side also spins with a centrifuge.
• Test Track

For Magic Kingdom:

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
• Space Mountain
• Goofy's Barnstormer (this doesn't have a triangle warning sign on the map, but does say that pregnant women should not ride so it's not totally tame)

For Disney Studio

• Star Tours
• Rock N Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror

For Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest
• Primeval Whirl
• Dinosaur

 

[Brenle]

Thanks Selket, Mechurchlady and SueM in NM for posting. I know I sounded impatient - but we leave in a few days and this "heart" thing is all new to me. Doctors aren't even sure what's going on so there is no diagnosis - just more testing. For my own peace of mind I was looking for the list and tips you all provided. Thanks a bunch.

 

[SueM in MN]

Since you did not get much direction from the doctor yet, I bolded the ones I would for sure avoid. The others are ones I would look at and consider not going on. You can get more information about the warnings by looking in the Guidebook for guests with Disabilities (link to WDW website in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread).

For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:

• Mission Space: both the more tame (green side) and the more wild (orange side) have the same experience/movements except that the orange side also spins with a centrifuge.
• Test Track - has sudden stops, one point where you get to 60 mph on a banked track and a situation where it looks like you may run into a truck head on.

For Magic Kingdom:

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway - the warning on this is mostly because of smelling fuel fumes and because you may get bumped very hard from the rear if the people in the car behind you are not watching carefully for stopped cars.
• Space Mountain - I believe it's closed already for renovation, so may not be even an issue
• Goofy's Barnstormer (this doesn't have a triangle warning sign on the map, but does say that pregnant women should not ride so it's not totally tame) - it is a roller coaster, but is short so a lot depends on just how your condition affects you.

For Disney Studio

• Star Tours
  [*]Rock N Roller Coaster
  [*]Tower of Terror

For Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safari - this is more bumpy than anything else. No sudden stops or dips, just bumpy.
• Kali River Rapids
  [*]Expedition Everest
  [*]Primeval Whirl
  [*]Dinosaur

 

[Brenle]

Sue, you are so good. I really appreciate the help/guidance.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue, you are so good. I really appreciate the help/guidance.

Mostly, I'm experienced.
I'm not sure, since I'm reading this on my iPod, but it looks like some things I meant to be bolder didn't stay that way.
Rock N Roller coaster and all of the ones listed at AK should have been bold except for the Safari.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My dd25 was diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic Syncope about 10 years ago. Basically, her blood pressure bottoms out causing her heart rate to drop and then she passes out. She has taken numerous medications to control this and is on the last one before she faces a pacemaker. The only rides that she had problems with last time was Rock N Roller Coaster and Mission Space - she said those really disoriented her and made her light-headed. Her doctor has told her to avoid roller coasters only but she still rides Expedition Everest, Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad without any problems. I would check with your doctor to see what they think you should avoid.

 

[mechurchlady]

Thanks Selket, Mechurchlady and SueM in NM for posting. I know I sounded impatient - but we leave in a few days and this "heart" thing is all new to me. Doctors aren't even sure what's going on so there is no diagnosis - just more testing. For my own peace of mind I was looking for the list and tips you all provided. Thanks a bunch.

We all try to help others have the best possible trip or day at the parks, very helpful group.

Do not be afraid to look at other disorders and diseases for help and information. You might find great tips on a cerebral palsey site or a cancer site for example that deal with a problem you face. I learned about cooling devices from the MS and Lupus people. I learned about my mother and how to handle her from an ODD site but she is not ODD. I am not autistic but learned that destroying a plastic straw in restaurants helps me deal with the waiting and stress. Take information from where every you can.


Hugs
Laurie

 

[Brenle]

My dd25 was diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic Syncope about 10 years ago. Basically, her blood pressure bottoms out causing her heart rate to drop and then she passes out. She has taken numerous medications to control this and is on the last one before she faces a pacemaker. The only rides that she had problems with last time was Rock N Roller Coaster and Mission Space - she said those really disoriented her and made her light-headed. Her doctor has told her to avoid roller coasters only but she still rides Expedition Everest, Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad without any problems. I would check with your doctor to see what they think you should avoid.

Thanks for the neurocardiogenic syncope condition. What happened to your daughter actually happened to me!! Still have other symptoms and like I said, undergoing tests. I will check with my doc.

Laurie,
Thanks very much for sharing your personal experiences with us. Great insight to research other conditions to help deal with my - I don't even know what to call it yet. They don't think there's a genetic link - it's just me. My kids just don't want me passing out on a ride. That's what they're afraid of. So rides like Mission Space and RnRC are out for me. They said Peter Pan would be good. But it's a small world is out because they don't want me falling into that disgusting water.

 

[mechurchlady]

Small World will be fine. The boats are in a channel so the only way to fall into the water is at two points on the ride and if you are are trying to recreate the Titanic scene by standing on the bow of the boat. If you were to pass out you would fall into the boat, ouch, or the dock. The only way to pass out of the boat is if you were on an outside seat AND if you leaned over the edge of the boat AND passed out where the boats go backstage or come from backstage.

You will be fine if you are careful with standing up and then when you get out lean forward so if you pass out you hit the dock. Going into a boat you would grab hold of stuff. You should be able to read your body well enough to know if you can or cannot do something. Just say you cannot do something and the CM will help get your ECV or wheelchair and make sure you do not get hurt.

Have some faith in yourself and you can do a lot of things if you just try.

big
hugs
Laurie

 

[mechurchlady]

ignore the part about gentics, I am very tired so I got the two threads mixed up. There was another thread about 3mga or something like that and that was what I was thinking about.

Where are my marshmallows and blankie.

 

[Brenle]

ignore the part about gentics, I am very tired so I got the two threads mixed up. There was another thread about 3mga or something like that and that was what I was thinking about.

Where are my marshmallows and blankie.

Not a problem. I need a nap now, too!

 

[WantToGoNow]

What happened to your daughter actually happened to me!! Still have other symptoms and like I said, undergoing tests. I will check with my doc.

My dd also has other symptoms besides the passing out. She has gone to the ER twice now with the same symptoms of a heart attack - sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, disoriention (first time couldn't even tell them her name) and recently chest pain. I hope they are able to find out what's wrong quickly. She went for several years undiagnosed before she was finally sent to a specialist 2.5 hours away from our home who recognized the symptoms immediately.