Unsure about rides

[bsmcneil]

Ya know, I've been to WDW a lot in my life. Having family in FL, it was the thing to do and I've gone since then, most recently in 2003 and 2004 (riding RnRC, M:S, etc). I've been in March, July and September. So here's the thing: I have a heart problem. My heart is fine 90% of the time. When I get really hot (from working out/summer,etc) my heart can start beating faster (like everyone's) but then it beats irregularly/faster than it should. What should I do about my upcoming trip? I've done M:S (the regular version) and was fine - in fact, that it was bland (but that's because I had HUGE expectations). Should I keep going on the rides? I mean, if I've gotten very hot, obviously I wouldn't - I mean should I ride them if I feel fine. I really don't know. I love rides/scary things/etc - so I'd hate to give them up. I'm just conflicted...

 

[travelitis]

You need to consult with a doctor on this one. Only your doc who can run tests and knows your situation and the risks involved can give you the info you seek. What you're talking about could be life-threatening, and you are right to be concerned. Make an appt. with your doctor now. Don't base your decision on a group of friendly strangers' opinions, even if they have some medical qualifications (that you have no way of verifying.) I wish the best of luck to you on this!

 

[Glendamax]

I agree with the previous poster. I would not dare to give you my opinion knowing that it could affect your life. I would ask your doctor what they think. It would be GREAT if your doctor has been to WDW recently and could give you very specific advice.

 

[bsmcneil]

well, both of you are right that asking a dr would be preferable. i don't have a doctor, or insurance, and honestly could not tell you what my issue is called as i was diagnosed over 10 years ago which means i was a kid (and most of that was hazy). i don't have paperwork or medicine - just knowledge of what happens when my heart goes too fast. asking a doctor seems to not really be an option, but i'll see what's out there.

 

[Seahunt]

Hmmm...have you ever had a heart stress test or an echocardiogram? Your doctor would probably recommend one to see how your heart responds. Of course since we are local to Disney our local news is now full of reports about roller coasters and problems, but this one might help explain why they worry about heart conditions on coasters:

A study released last year gave support to the notion that heart problems can be triggered or aggravated by roller coasters.

Researchers at the University Hospital of Mannheim in Germany put 55 healthy people on roller coasters and monitored their heart rates during the two-minute experience. Average heart rates rose from 89 beats per minute before the ride to 155 just afterward.

These rates are high enough to trigger rhythm problems, and two participants experienced different types of them. The study's authors recommended that people with heart disease not ride coasters.
********
I have mitral valve prolapse, and so I am aware of the feeling of a heart rhythm problem (yuck), and I choose not to subject myself to any possible problems and don't ride coasters. But I also think it's a personal choice, and agree after you talk to your doctor you have to make up your own mind - maybe life's too short not to ride if you really love them!

 

[bsmcneil]

Hmmm...have you ever had a heart stress test or an echocardiogram? Your doctor would probably recommend one to see how your heart responds. Of course since we are local to Disney our local news is now full of reports about roller coasters and problems, but this one might help explain why they worry about heart conditions on coasters:

A study released last year gave support to the notion that heart problems can be triggered or aggravated by roller coasters.

Researchers at the University Hospital of Mannheim in Germany put 55 healthy people on roller coasters and monitored their heart rates during the two-minute experience. Average heart rates rose from 89 beats per minute before the ride to 155 just afterward.

These rates are high enough to trigger rhythm problems, and two participants experienced different types of them. The study's authors recommended that people with heart disease not ride coasters.
********
I have mitral valve prolapse, and so I am aware of the feeling of a heart rhythm problem (yuck), and I choose not to subject myself to any possible problems and don't ride coasters. But I also think it's a personal choice, and agree after you talk to your doctor you have to make up your own mind - maybe life's too short not to ride if you really love them!

When I was younger, and this was first a problem, I had an EEG (or maybe an EKG, but 90% sure it was an EEG). The diagnosis was that I had ___ and that it wasn't bad to stop playing sports (which I did at the time) but if I noticed a problem, to slow it down. I was prescribed some medicine to slow my heartbeat and my mother never gave it to me because it worried her (and I've been fine ever since). When this happened - I would pass out after gym. Now, I can play racquetball, exercise, etc for as long as I want (who plays racquetball for much more than an hour anyway). But, if I do play for too long, my heart can speed up. I'll stop, have some water, and be fine. I've never felt light-headed/dizzy after a roller coaster or on one (or on M:S). I've never even gotten motion sickness *knock on wood*. But, with this in the news, it made me think about the possibility.

 

[#1MMFan]

An EEG? An electroencephalogram? Of the brain?

Anyways, regardless of having medical qualifications or not, no sensible doctor is going to advise you without examining you and organising some routine investigations. The plain and simple fact is that you need to see a doctor and not ask lay people, who (no offence intended) are often more than willing to "help" by sharing advice, with only half the facts and no qualifications. Take that from someone who is medically qualified.

 

[Allison]

An EEG? An electroencephalogram? Of the brain?

Anyways, regardless of having medical qualifications or not, no sensible doctor is going to advise you without examining you and organising some routine investigations. The plain and simple fact is that you need to see a doctor and not ask lay people, who (no offence intended) are often more than willing to "help" by sharing advice, with only half the facts and no qualifications. Take that from someone who is medically qualified.

I completely agree on this one.

 

[PamNC]

If you feel you can't go to a doctor here is my suggestion. There is so much to do at WDW and the thrill rides like MS and RnR are just a small, tiny portion of the attractions. I would say don't risk it. You could ride MS and take the tamer version. Think about it, the only rides that could really trigger a problem are MS original version, RnR, TOT, EE. I don't think Splash Mountain would be a problem, or Space Mountain for that matter. Space Mountain only goes like 28 miles per hour. I would just stay away from the big thrills. You'll have plenty left to do without those few attractions.

PamNC

 

[Seahunt]

Sorry I posted my post about the doctor while you were posting that you didn't go to one, so I would have to agree with the last post about avoiding big thrill rides

But that's just me as I'm a chicken about my heart problems, especially since the local news has been blasting the story over and over, like these 911 tapes:

The 9-1-1 call reveals some chaos that likely could have been avoided.

Right from the start of the 9-1-1 call to try and save a child at Disney's Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, there was confusion. A dispatcher tried to get connected to a phone closer to 12-year-old Michael Russell, but couldn't.

"Is there a phone close to that child?" the 9-1-1 dispatcher asked a caller reporting the boy's collapse.

"Uhhh," the caller replied.

"That number I called was busy," the dispatcher told the caller.

"They didn't answer?" the caller asked.

"It was busy," the dispatcher replied.

The Kentucky boy's father said his son was perfectly healthy, but Friday a medical examiner found the boy had a congenital heart condition. It raises questions about automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), which can restart someone's heart.

The 9-1-1 call revealed how employees at the ride didn't even know what one was.

"Is there a defibrillator available?" a worker can be heard asking a follow working on a 9-1-1 call.

"A what?" the other worker questioned.

"A defibrillator," the worker replied.

"A defibrillator?" the other worker again questioned.

"Yes," the worker replied.

"AED?" the dispatcher asked.

"Ah, no," the worker said.

"Okay, no, alright," the dispatcher said.

No one used a defibrillator on the boy until paramedics arrived. According to the 9-1-1 call, that was seven minutes after the call reporting the problem.

"We want to make sure they have a defibrillator available, if there is an AED available," the dispatcher tells the 9-1-1 caller. "I know that there is one available."

The machines are available around Disney, but not at every ride. That was one of the complaints in a lawsuit filed by 4-year-old Daudi Bamuwamye's family (died on MS), that Disney should've had an AED on site.

 

[momrek06]

OP: MD or NOT, I would not take the risk. If you already know you have something going on with your heart despite the fact it is slight....

IMHO, stay away from all the intense rides (esp the ones with "warnings")!

Like another Poster said, there is plenty to do at WDW besides the thrill rides.

 

[TheZeppo]

Ask your doctor about it, not people on a message board. It's too important to not talk to a professional about it if you have any concerns.

 

[bsmcneil]

Ask your doctor about it, not people on a message board. It's too important to not talk to a professional about it if you have any concerns.

In hindsight, I should've been clearer. I'm not asking anyone for their medical opinions or even basing my decision about what i'll do based on what people here say. This was just a place for me to get my ideas about my trip to WDW out of my head and have some folks rattle them around for me.

 

[amy4bruce]

Think of it as being part of the interdependent web of life.

(Okay, I realize that most people won't get that. However, I certainly recognize the chalice, and once met you on the religion thread on the Community Board, and the OMD Summer Institute starts this weekend, and my wife is assistant chair, and I've been immersed the last few days....)

 

[bsmcneil]

Think of it as being part of the interdependent web of life.

(Okay, I realize that most people won't get that. However, I certainly recognize the chalice, and once met you on the religion thread on the Community Board, and the OMD Summer Institute starts this weekend, and my wife is assistant chair, and I've been immersed the last few days....)

crap, does this mean i have to respect the worth and dignity of the ride CMs now? AND the people who pool hop??!! were you in st louis?

 

[amy4bruce]

crap, does this mean i have to respect the worth and dignity of the ride CMs now? AND the people who pool hop??!! were you in st louis?

Yup.

And no, I wasn't. Can't do everything.

 

[bsmcneil]

Yup.

And no, I wasn't. Can't do everything.

enjoy the summer institute. if you get the chance, pm me sometime with info about it - i've never heard about it (i'm from thomas jefferson and will be moving to central midwest in the fall), but it's good to get lots of information because who knows what district i'll actually be working in come time to start a career.