 Poster: A snowHead
|
I had a heart attack on saturday morning. Needed to be rescucitated twice (1st time took 'em two goes on the paddles with cpr in-between, 2nd time I came straight back) then I had to have an angioplasty(?) to insert a stent into the artery.
As you can probably tell, I have made a good recovery (I'm typing this from home) but when can I think about skiing?
I have a week booked last week of Jan. I need to inform my current insurer that I have had the attack, and they will probably cancel my policy - is there anyone out there that will cover me?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
youspurs1, I'm sorry, I can't help you with your query but just wanted to say I hope you continue with your recovery - it must have been a shock. Wouldn't your doctor be able to advise on the wise thing to do?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
Tricky one this. I went skiing just under a year after treatment for cancer. Obviously I was a long way off being 'fit', but I had a great time keeping to within my limits and it was a significant part of the healing process for me to feel that I had my life back. Clearly your medical experiences and treatment are different to mine, I assume you have a specialist nurse you can ask for advice...?
I would say above all, you need a holiday, if nothing else than to clear your head after a major medical trauma. If you do go skiing, listen to your body and stick to your limits...
Regarding insurance, my annual travel insurance has stayed in force but I have an exclusion for all medical treatment abroad relating to my cancer for five years from the date of end of my treatment. That's assuming it's zapped for good and doesn't come back. For this reason I have stayed within the EU where I'd get basic emergency medical cover via my EHIC card...
Best of luck...
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
youspurs1, no idea, just wanted to say that I'm glad you're still typing!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
youspurs1,  sorry to hear about that, and glad you are recovering. Was this the first heart attack you've had?
I think you should speak with your consultant and ask his or her advice on this. Skiing, even just downhill skiing is a lot more strenous (as well as being at altitude) than say going for a light walk down a flat road so I think you need to take the advice of your doctor and postpone your holiday if he/she says it's not wise to ski. If they say it's ok to go, well then you know where you stand.
Good luck.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Tue 25-11-08 19:12; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pam w, posts crossed and we have more or less said the same thing!
I was thinking the insurance would cover the cost of cancellation in the circumstances if the consultant cardiologist says it's not a good idea.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| rob@rar wrote: |
| youspurs1, no idea, just wanted to say that I'm glad you're still typing! |
Ditto
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
youspurs1, Blimey. Hope you make a good recovery. I am sure there will be a doc or two along soon to advise.
For what its worth I would be surprised if your consultant says it would be ok to go skiing at the end of Jan. But what do I know!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
youspurs1, first of all, glad to see you back on the forum.
Could it have been anything to do with what 'Arry has done for our team? 
Seriously though, the person who is best placed to answer this is the cardiologist who did your stenting - he will have seen the state of your coronary arteries and will have some idea of the size (the actual volume - if any) of the dead bit of muscle. The current vogue is for trying to get the stenting done at the very earliest opportunity because if the bit of muscle has not been deprived of its blood supply for too long, it can recover.
As regards insurance - sorry, I don't know. You still aren't insured to drive until 6 weeks after the infarct.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
youspurs1, Hells bells! Glad you are still around to report the event Even if you weren't covered to ski are you the sort of person who could enjoy the mountains doing something less strenuous, bumbling around on foot, relaxing in the sun, riding the cable to the mountain top and chilling with an interesting drink, the break might do you good even if you didn't ski
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
Best of luck to you, I hope you can get away again. As Bodecia says, look at where you get best cover on your EICH card. France is a good place to have a heart attack but the EICH cover is not as good as it could be.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
youspurs1, really glad you are recovering! I'm currently studying for my Phase IV Cardiac Rehabilitation qualification (fitness instructor who delivers fitness programs to patients recovering from heart problems or surgery). The process goes like this:- for about 6 weeks you won't be advised to do any exercise other than gentle walking. You will then be offered Phase III exercise at a hospital centre, where you will have a carefully monitored program that gradually progresses over a series of 8 to 12 weeks. Following that you will be referred to a Phase IV exercise program which will last on average another 12 weeks. While you are undergoing this program it is highly likely that you will be advised not to ski, and it is very likely that your cadiologist will recommend that you don't ski at the end of January, which is only 9 weeks away.
Skiing at altitude carries much more risk than exertion at sea level because the oxygen levels in the air are lower (and your heart was starved of oxygen) and because your blood will become thicker as a result of altitude adaptations, some of which occur rapidly, others take more time. Therefore it is likely that air travel and any travel to altitude will be inadvisable during your rehabilitation period.
Your insurance would certainly cover the cost of cancellation. I think it likely that you will be advised to forget this ski season as your full rehab will probably not be completed until June/July. Maybe next season once you have gone through the exercise rehabilitation program.
Get advice from your cardiologist and please, please follow it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
youspurs1, Good to see your still with us, continue to get better!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
youspurs1, holy cr@p dude ! glad to see you're in good spirits, considering, and hope that your recovery goes well. please speak to your cardiologist regards what kind of exercise you'll be allowed this season. it's better to rest now and start afresh next season, than to never ski again eh? your insurance probably covers cancellation due to ill-health, but you'd have to read the fine print for details and/or confirmation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
youspurs1, sorry to hear of your attack. Don't rush to ski early, far better to have a thorough recovery - as docsquid says
| Quote: |
Get advice from your cardiologist and please, please follow it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
youspurs1, sorry to hear about your heart attack. Take your cardiologists advice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Quote: |
Mind you, I am not a medical man...
|
well, knock me down with a feather!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
youspurs1, and wot Rob said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
youspurs1, Delighted to hear you are making a good recovery - quite a shock to the system I guess! As others have said - take the cardiologists advice. Good luck 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Of course, as any fule kno, I am a Gooner, so my advice to get back on the planks ASAP should perhaps be treated with a pinch of the proverbial.
Was it the shock of managing to edge past Hughes's sorry crew that brought it on?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
youspurs1, Also no ideas, but like your spirit and hope you make a quick full recovery
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
youspurs1, Medical advice over the internet is difficult. In general a need for a hot (immediate) angioplasty can be a marker for Heart Attacks where there is a higher risk of sudden arrhythmia events in the next 6 months or so. If I were you I would definitely not be going anywhere where a defib could not reach me within a few minutes for several months. I would forget this season and work on your Cardiac Rehab. as per docsquid, as much as possible.
Personal opinion - but I have spent a fair amount of time over the last few years working with Cardiologists on guidelines and service development.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
youspurs1, the very best for your recovery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
He's gone very quiet... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
youspurs1, like everyone's said, thank God you're all right and do take your consultant's advice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Good grief! What a thing. The posts above have answered your questions (cardiac rehab team should be able to recommend future travel insurance). Just get on with getting over it. Very best wishes to you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
youspurs1, firstly, i would like to say...... what a fooking nob question on here... ask your consultant.
However..........re the insurance, its normally the date of the trip so you need to disclose, but if you do - which you should - they will usually remove any insued events that are releted to your heart attack. So, if you die BECAUSE of your pre existing condition - no cover.. but if you have a broken wrist - you should be covered.... disclose all you know and understand the conditions. PM if required.
Well a Heart attach is poo-poo.. no doubt. I was working in the city.. big pay. big bonuses...etc and big drugs ..had a heart attack aged 26
Payed tennis competition after 3 months.
so, moral is, take it easy, but try to go
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
youspurs1, bloody hell! Get well soon. And don't rush into any strenuous cardiovascular exercise, would be my layman advice!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Wow, amazing to see where your priorities lie when you've just knocked on deaths door and got no reply. I really do wish you a speedy recovery and hope you can ski soon. I wouldn't rush into it, but if it makes you feel better then it can't be a bad thing. Best of luck!
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Wed 26-11-08 20:49; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the kind messages all
It was my first heart attack. I asked the doctors in the hospital and they all said that if I feel up to it, there was no reason why I shouldn't go...but they were all of the opinion that I'd have difficulty getting insurance.
Megamum, might have the right idea methinks (non-skiing) but would I be able to resist the urge?
red 27, Hehe! and you're right - dying wasn't too bad at all. Being revived was wierd though, talk about halucinatons!
Frosty the Snowman, LMAO....make it £75!
Again, thanks for the kind thoughts. I've not seen the cardiac rehab team yet, but I'll be sure to do what they tell me!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£75 hmmm
BOO!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
It might be worth thinking of postponing your trip till later in the season; your current insurance would presumably pay out on any cancellation charges.
Good for you, as above speak to the medics, but I have a feeling insurance will become the issue 
