How Many Among Us Are Still Sailing After a Heart Attack?

Terry Cox · Apr 15, 2017

Still sailing at 74, but no HA yet. Maybe someday, but until then will continue as long as physically able.

Started running in 1976. anticipating deteriorating health issues down the road due to life style; sedentary, weight gain, poor eating habits, business travel, high corporate job stress, etc. Been running cross country ever since, every other day without fail regardless of weather clocking seven miles every run with many hills until last year. Age has slowed me down and now I do five miles every run. I suppose before long another reduction will be in order. Still do upper body work after every run, again without fail.

My main motivation was observing fellow workers kicking the bucket before they were 40, or a serious health setback such as a stroke, heart attack, or worse, thus leaving the family without a breadwinner. That mid life crisis set me on a new path to better health, FWIW.

Fred Villiard · Apr 15, 2017

One month from 79 still going strong working full time, just alittle short of breath from heavy smoking for 40 years quit 32 years ago. Your body will tell you what you can do, listen to it.

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · Apr 15, 2017

76 here and still sailing..Cruising single hand even. Never had a HA and hope to never, but hey as long as you are careful, I see no reason to stop sailing

Stu Jackson · Apr 15, 2017

TIA a few years ago, broken leg skiing in 2009 with a second operation because the first damn plate broke!!!

Doctors said the best thing I could do was to go sailing.

Who was I to argue?

It's been a long winter, and my first without sailing, ever. Harder on the body than sailing every week. Just waterproofed the canvas today. Mainsail goes on tomorrow.

Terry's right: listen to your body. What any of us do is immaterial to what YOU can do.

Good luck.

Terry Cox · Apr 15, 2017

Fred Villiard said:
One month from 79 still going strong working full time, just alittle short of breath from heavy smoking for 40 years quit 32 years ago. Your body will tell you what you can do, listen to it.

Hi Fred, started smoking in the fifth grade (sneaked butts from my older brother's ash tray) and had the habit by grade eight. Quit cold turkey in 1963 and nary a smoke since. Nasty burden, but those unfiltered Camels were the best.

All U Get · Apr 15, 2017

GorillaToast said:
I'd like to hear some first-hand wisdom on things like how long before you could start sailing again, did hoisting sails and manning sheets cause you any problems. How about crawling around the cabin making repairs; any concerns there?
Tia
Bill

Oops, yep. Pulled too hard on something before the slice healed. Now a little more scar than it should be but been two winters in the Bahamas. Watch the yoga, a cruiser pulled his pacemaker loose. Not a lot of fun fixing that baby. Go easy for a while and find the limits. Mine is two Bahama Mama's.

All U Get

smokey73 · Apr 15, 2017

3 HA, 3 Stints, 5 Way bypass --- Still sailing on a 40 foot boat. Bypass was done when I was 47 and I'm now 66.

In fact, leaving tomorrow for a short shakedown overnight single handed. Like my doctor says, I can do anything I feel like doing, "I've been replumbed". Also been white water rafting on the Colorado, paragliding in Utah and coached High School Wrestling 6 months after the 5 way bypass for 10 years and could beat most of the wrestlers below 160 lbs 8 out of 10 times. You have to find out your own limits. I have recently installed a powered Main Halyard winch. Hauling that big main all the way to the top of a mast with a 63' air clearance was getting close to the limit, mostly because where I normally hoist the main I only have a limited straight stretch to head into the wind before I have to change course so I can't fiddle around resting during the hoisting. Of course when I take my 35 year old son-in-law he takes care of that.

Unless you had significant heart damage or have not had the corrective procedures there is no reason you should have to give up sailing. Just figure out what you can do by slow trial and error. If you want to discuss this some send me a private email and let me know your phone number and we can talk.

All U Get · Apr 16, 2017

Never any chest pain and I had a 2X bypass in April '15 for a block of 90% on one artery. I did cardiac rehab for 6 weeks so my activity was monitored for effort. Plus a lot of walking and other less strenuous activity helped get me back to normal. Cranking up the main took some time and my wife would sometimes finish for me, we have a 2 speed winch on the mast. Leaning over the engine or hauling heavy items for long periods will remind me to just take my time. Everyone would be different. We started south that fall in Sept '15.

All U Get

Bad Obsession · Apr 16, 2017

I have had two of them. My first was at 28, the second 6 years later. Never any issues, never any damage, never really stopped me from sailing etc.

According to my doctor I had/have a genetic condition where I had some undersized veins on my heart. They went in and placed a stint for each heart attack. Since then I have run quite a bit and I was running 5k 3x a week at one point. My fitness changes like the tides but I still try to keep some level of fitness.

I asked the doctor if I would have another one. He said I might, just go to the hospital, it won't kill you! I don't know if that was a comforting thought or not but I am hoping that I don't have another one!

Don Lucas · Apr 16, 2017

I had a heart attack 4 years ago and have a stent. No problems doing any physical stuff on the boat etc.

Richard Bryer · Apr 16, 2017

My wife had a heart transplant 3 years ago this June. Her first arrhythmic attack came the autumn before after last race of the season. She has been back to racing for two years now, doing fordeck on a 30 footer. still needs a second set of hands for some things but doing well. Working out , exercise is really important.
One of the most dedicated sailors in our club still races at 92 this year.

NYSail · Apr 16, 2017

Fred Villiard said:
One month from 79 still going strong working full time, just alittle short of breath from heavy smoking for 40 years quit 32 years ago. Your body will tell you what you can do, listen to it.

Damn..,, started smoke at 7. Good old days indeed! Smoking sucks

Benny17441 · Apr 16, 2017

Ask your cardiologist and if he says "no" then get a 2nd opinion.

Rick D · Apr 16, 2017

15 years ago. Three stents; meds. Have sailed ever since and done all the usual. Need to push exercise harder as you get older. Not fun. But, won't stop the sailing. Good luck and don't over-think it. Just sail.

njlarry · Apr 16, 2017

A member of our club soloed his Tartan 27 into his 90s. He was interviewed by a national sailing magazine. He had two pieces of advice. ...a scotch before dinner and time spent sailing is not subtracted from your life. Check with your doc and enjoy.