Strange Question re: heart condition

[mamalisala]

Ok.. shockingly at 42 I had a heart attack a week ago. Had catheterization and two stents placed. I have never smoked a cigarette, I exercise, eat right and I'm not overweight. I was just born with bad genetics. I am recovering and doing fabulous. My cardiologist said I can get on the plane on July 24th for Disney. He said I can go on rides...I did not mention exactly that I ride ToT and Space Mountain, ROckin Rollercoaster etc... Anyone know if this might pose a problem? I knew there are signs about heart conditions, but truth be told... my heart is flowing and ticking better than most these days as I am clean as a whistle in the arteries. And again, I will mention on follow-up to the cardiologist that I do ride the more adventurous rides, but he seemed ok with the whole thing...
I can't imagine going and not riding... thoughts????

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Glad you are doing well now! Since every case is unique, I would call your cardiologist and ask specifically about rides that have restrictions for people with heart conditions. What might be OK for one person might not be OK for you.

Have a great trip!

 

[cigar95]

I had a heart attack last year at 49. Like you, I'm healthy as can be today - just needed to clean up my junk food habits, which brought me down 25 pounds from "average weight" to "rather slender". Like you, I had angioplasty, with a single stent implanted in my case.

My cardiologist told me that coasters were all right, and I had an enjoyable WDW visit just about six months after my MI.

But I've decided on my own that "Mission Space Full Throttle" is a thing of the past for me, given that we already know it has aggravated pre-existing heart conditions that were unknown until it was too late. (Plus, we know that Stacy prefers "half-throttle", so it increases my chances of riding with her!)

But definitely discus your particular situation with your cardiologist. Especially since you're just a month after your MI.

 

[mamalisala]

Thank you! I've given up on Mission Space after my first two rides many years ago LOL... I just can't wait to get there and experience the magic. It's an amazing trip with my dad's retirement, 3 birthdays and 3 first timers! Can't wait! Thanks for the help!

 

[dudelydude]

I don't know why you are asking about this on here. Your situation is unique to you and your body...how does anyone else know how things will go for you? You need professional advice, but if they leave it up to you, you should ask yourself what YOUR reaction is to these rides. I am 39 and have been on each ride several times before this year. The first time on each of them this year made my heart race, but then my body / mind become re-aquainted with them and the second time isn't so exhilerating....do they make your heart race?

 

[Disney Doll]

I would probably call my cardiologist and give him/her some details about how the rides function and then get his/her feedback about whether or not to ride....truly some people have no idea what Diusney rdies arelike...hard to believ, I know.

Your MD will be better able to make a decision if he/she has appropriate information.

 

[jlder72]

Not a medical opinion. Heart problems/emergencies that happen with rides are related to electrical conduction problems not blockages. Some people are born with heart conduction irregularities that cause them problems. Check with you cardiologist but I am certain they will say you are fine, as you had stents placed you had a blockage problem not a conduction problem.

 

[m&m's mom]

My DH had a major heart attack at 45. He also was a marathon running, never smoked, not an ounce over weight, ate great etc.... so, it sounds like you are in good company. Dang genetics.
I personally would not have been happy w/ my DH riding the rides you mentioned 6 weeks post HA. Now he has no restrictions but I would have been a nervous wreck that soon afterwards.

We had a trip planned to WDW about 5 weeks after DH's HA and Dr said "Nope". I would ask your Cardiologist as well.
Good Luck!!

 

[teddygurl28]

as PP mentioned i would definately check with your doctor for a final call. However, from personal experience, my father has had two heart attacks and has stints in place. He rides everything except mission space and soarin....they both make his stomach upset (soarin im not so sure why ). other than that he does every other ride he feels like

 

[jamstew]

I have a stent and ride everything except the ones that make me motion sick That said, I didn't go back to Disney until a couple of years post HA.

 

[Praying Colonel]

My thoughts are that I would not ride any strenuous attractions without first discussing with my cardiologist the attraction and what it does and getting his or her OK.

 

[mamalisala]

Thank you to everyone. I never had ride issues before and I already checked with my cardiologist when I was discharged and he gave the go ahead then. Of course, my 64 year old mother doesn't believe me that he said okay. So now she is going to my post-op visit with me (things don't change no matter how old you are LOL). I plan on giving him an exact description on Thursday of the rides I intend to ride. Certainly if I am not feel up to it as the parks are hot in the last week of July I would never risk it. I'm just happy to be alive and going on the trip as I have planned it for the 13 of us for a year. At any rate, thank you and I will let you know what the doctor says (for the second time hahahaha).
Looking forward to the magic even if it means keeping two feet outside the rides

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Looking forward to the magic even if it means keeping two feet outside the rides

It's not the same thing, but I have been to WDW twice when pregnant and wasn't able to ride many of my favorites. I still had a great trip both times.

 

[Dawgdad]

if you ask your doctor, he/she will certainly err on the side of caution and say no to everything you mention that is faster than IASW. no doctor in this country is going to risk the certain medical malpractice suit that would follow if you did have a problem.

 

[bumbershoot]

if you ask your doctor, he/she will certainly err on the side of caution and say no to everything you mention that is faster than IASW. no doctor in this country is going to risk the certain medical malpractice suit that would follow if you did have a problem.

Except that she DID already talk to him about it.

My cardiologist said I can get on the plane on July 24th for Disney. He said I can go on rides.

 

[selina4disney]

My mom at 73 had a tumor in her heart a year before we went to Disney that stretched her heart badly. It was removed and it took shocks and medication to get it back into rhythm. When we were going to Disney on a mother-daughter trip she asked her cardiologist what she could do and he told her she could ride anything at Disney.

We didn't take that completely to heart and skipped RnR, Space Mountain, TestTrack, Dinosaur and Star Tours (the last three because of the jerkiness) and went on Mission Space green instead of orange. She went on ToT and loved it, and Everest, and BTMRR, and we rode Soarin' several times. I was more worried than she was since she had the doc's OK. We had a BLAST! So much so we're heading back in November on a mother-daughter-granddaughter trip.

So ask the doctor and use your best judgment. Above all...there is so much to do you will still have fun even if you skip rides!

 

[cm8]

Except that she DID already talk to him about it.

OP, make sure you GET IT IN WRITING!!!!!

 

[twokids0204]

Ok.. shockingly at 42 I had a heart attack a week ago. Had catheterization and two stents placed. I have never smoked a cigarette, I exercise, eat right and I'm not overweight. I was just born with bad genetics. I am recovering and doing fabulous. My cardiologist said I can get on the plane on July 24th for Disney. He said I can go on rides...I did not mention exactly that I ride ToT and Space Mountain, ROckin Rollercoaster etc... Anyone know if this might pose a problem? I knew there are signs about heart conditions, but truth be told... my heart is flowing and ticking better than most these days as I am clean as a whistle in the arteries. And again, I will mention on follow-up to the cardiologist that I do ride the more adventurous rides, but he seemed ok with the whole thing...
I can't imagine going and not riding... thoughts????

Wow... with all due respect, I don't think the friendly folks of the DIS community are qualified to give expert medical advice.

I personally think, if you are recovering from a heart attack, maybe slow the pace down for the week.

Your call.

 

[swald91]

I have high blood pressure, family history-my brother died of a massive heart attack at 43. I LOVE the rides-but I read all the info on them before I go. Last trip my stomach was a little upset so I stayed away from ToT....hate the way Mission Space felt a few years ago so I avoid it all together. Have a great trip but be cautious-you can enjoy the magic without doing the wild rides-your health is more important! Relax & have fun!!!!!