heart conditions :(

For everyone that loves Cedar Point, what if you came down with crushing news that you have a heart problem that developed? Would you risk it and still ride or would you stop riding? I had a dose of reality recently; heart palpitations, racing heart and chest pressure. So far they don't know what it is; but I suddenly feel for everyone that looks at the sign just outside the ride that talks about heart conditions. I may be young but its a scary realization.
*** Edited 10/10/2007 5:27:02 AM UTC by IvyRose-MissX***

If you have heart problems dont ride untill your Dr. clears you to ride first. It will keep you here with us and keeps you healthy untill they know what it is. A guy has rode TTD 75 times 6 months after having triple bypass. His Dr. cleared him. I would stop riding untill i see what is wrong. That is if i know i have the problem. I hope your heart is ok. Get well.
*** Edited 10/10/2007 6:01:12 AM UTC by Dalefan329***

I would stay off the higher intensity thrill rides, but I would still go to the Point and enjoy it. CP&LE RR, Sky Ride, Giant Wheel, Paddlewheel, Space Spiral, Dogems, Cadilac Cars and probably a number of flats like Scrambler, Matterhorn, Super Himalaya, Troika, etc. are all things I would ride.

I hope you recover very soon and that it turns out to be nothing serious.

thank-you. It is a scary slap into reality. Back when I thought none of the health conditions would ever effect me. Doc says I should wait until some of my test results come in; then some of the more "wicked rides" will be determined if I can or can't depending on certain test results. It kind of makes you depressed. My dad just had back surgery last year around memorial weekend; and he always went to Cedar Point memorial weekend. He was supposed to wait a year, but still didn't go this year. Doc says he can ride rides now; but I know a "medical condition" can suddenly ruin the things you really enjoy in life.

Thank-you for all the support already. She has already okayed me for mild rides, but I just need to complete a few more tests. EKG was okay, and now I'm on a "beta blocker" perscription.
*** Edited 10/10/2007 6:17:37 AM UTC by IvyRose-MissX***

Yes, please do not ride. Would you rather risk it? Or would you rather wait it out, get care for it and possibly cure it and in the mean time enjoy the atmosphere and hanging out with friends at the Point? I wish you the best of luck with this and that everything turns out fine for you. I work at one of the other CF parks and I know that when I get a page to go to a ride and speak with a guest that is having a hard time understanding the reason why they cannot ride due to medical conditions, the look on their face and the fact that, they too, are coming to terms with the reality. But I would rather you be safe and healthy to live to ride another day.

I'd say my two biggest questions for you are the following:

1. Is your heart condition hereditary or not? If not and you're a smoker with poor health, then you definitely should stay off riding!

2. Do you have any idea what your heart rate is going on rides? I wore a heart rate watch at CP this summer just to experiment, and it turns out my heart rate running on a treadmill is higher than any ride at CP!

The good news is it's October and CP is almost closed for a good 6 months! But personally, as someone who is 25, a non-smoker, in good shape, but with a family history of heart disease...I still continue to ride on!!

But I do know my dad's beta blockers really, really work, despite being a little pricey. Good luck!!

i would still go often even if a health problem kept me off of the intense rides. just to go to ride the train over and over would be worth it to me. right now my family will only let me ride judy/myron/george 2 laps before they kick me off. i could ride it for a few hours easy.

The good news is it's October and CP is almost closed for a good 6 months!

remind me how that's good again?

It'll be nice because it will get rid of the temptation for her, but still... Another offseason, comin at us. :(

Hope everything comes back okay, Ivy!

I had a dose of reality recently; heart palpitations, racing heart and chest pressure. So far they don't know what it is; but I suddenly feel for everyone that looks at the sign just outside the ride that talks about heart conditions.

Dont rule out anxiety, either. Sometimes anxiety has all the symptoms you described. Of course, I know nothing about your situation, but if anxiety runs in a family and you are currently under a lot of pressure/stress or at a life transition, it is a distinct possibility (which could also be a relief).

First and foremost, keep your spirit up. I have a family history of heart conditions, and I am a marathoner, and have recently had some
scares that turned out to be nothing at all. In fact, getting the check up was the scariest part...the "not knowing".

That said, my dad has had a triple bypass, recently had a stent put in his artery, and still heads to CP and ride MF and Dragster. Every scenario is different.

Finally...just like the EKG let's all hope every test comes back OK. Stress tests...echos....they can be scary. Hang in there!

Yeah leave it to the pointbuzz doctors to diagnose you and you'll be n your way.
We're certified in saying who is and who is not okay to ride a rollercoaster over the internet.

Yeah leave it to the pointbuzz doctors to diagnose you and you'll be n your way.

She's asking for advice, and is understandabely shaken at the prospect of having a condition that could threaten her life and activities. I hardly think she is looking for a diagnosis.

She and her doctor can make up their own minds, factory.

Just as an ounce of hope, my daughter has a heart condition (SVT) and her doctor gave her the all clear to ride all and any rides. Keep us posted on what they find. Hang in there!

Sounds like the OP has an arrhythmia, like the above poster's daughter. It totally depends on what type of arrhythmia it is, but I'd say in all likelihood you'd be fine to ride.

One thing I've learned is that things are not always what they seem. I'll give you two examples and my 2 cents.

A year ago, my sister started getting sick to her stomach. Every symptom pointed to her gullbladder. However, every test came back negative. Since she has a PPO she went to see a doctor on her own who diagnosed a condition where her stomach won't empty. She had an operation where they put a pacemaker on her stomach. Today she is fine. She runs away from the microwave and cannot ride any rides at CP with magnetic brakes since it will shut the pacemaker off. This is such a big improvement over a year ago when she either couldn't eat or would throw it all up.

Myself, I've always had really bad cramping during my time of the month. I've been on the pill and painkillers to help control it. However, it got worse. So I told my GYN and she said to wait it out and consider a diagnostic laporoscopy. However, when I switched insurances, the pill was not covered. So, she switched me to a new pill. Guess what? No more cramps that Motirin 800 can't handle. I don't sweat it anymore.

What have I leaned from all of this? Give it time and be patient. It will all work out one way or another. Good or bad you've caught it early where they can find out what's going on and help you. I know it's scary but hang in there.

okay. Still havent done the stress test yet, but I have answers. I have atrial fibrillation. It starts at the top of the heart and quivers. It has to do with the hearts electrical system. It upsets the normal rythm of the heart; creating a high chance for stroke, heart attack, and blod clots. It is very rare in someone my age (21). But yes I will still go to Cedar Point and have a good time even if i cant tackle most of the coasters :( sadddddd

Ok, but my next two questions are this:

1. Has your doctor confirmed no coaster riding?

2. Is it possible for your condition to improve, and if so, would you be cleared then??

Because based on limited first-hand knowledge (and what previous posters have mentioned) it seems that once the condition is treated then you might be fine!! (i.e. even if you have a current heart condition, but that it's being treated with beta blockers, would you then be able to ride?)

Doctor has not confirmed no coaster riding as of yet. Now that we know what is wrong with me; that should be determined soon. I have about 4 doctor appointments next week alone; so they are really jumping on this quick. There are different treatments for this disease depending on the severity; some treatments are as simple as taking aspirin every day. If it is extreme; sometimes they do a procedure to kill off the problimatic section of your heart. I see my doctor for my stress test and an ultrasound of my thyroid, then i also see the cardiologist for my new found issue as well. Once they do the stress test i should have an answer as far as riding rides. Regardless we still will go to cp Oct 26-28th even if I have to ride some wimpy rides; but if they do put restrictions on me i will be sad.

I don't have my MD yet, but atrial fibrillation isn't much to write home about. It's by far and away the most common arrhythmia there is and although it's rarer for someone as young as you to have it, I wouldn't call it rare by any means.

I don't have my MD yet, but atrial fibrillation isn't much to write home about. It's by far and away the most common arrhythmia there is and although it's rarer for someone as young as you to have it, I wouldn't call it rare by any means.

okay its still rare in someone as young as me; even though it is a common dysfunction. I didn't ask for a correction on my wording; no offense.

I have a heart problem and asthma. I just have a racing heart and just once, shortness of breath. I stayed home '05 which i strongly regretted. I went twice this year and will probably be going again sometime next week. It didn't bother me at all, so hopefully it will be the same for all of you.