GYM THREE TIMES A WEEK

Indie, United Kingdom

"I am 44 years old, a keen hockey player and go to the gym 3 times a week. I was reasonably fit, was not getting any chest pains or breathing problems. I have a family history of high cholesterol and my father had a heart bypass at the age of 50. My heart rate is 60 bpm (relaxing) , BP is 123/85 (which is normal) and my ejection fraction is 70% (diagnosed during the angiogram).

Three months ago, I was diagnosed with a 100 % blockage in my RCA. The cardiologist stopped me from going to the gym and doing any exercise (apart from a gentle walk around the block) to prevent me doing any damage to the heart muscle. I had two stents inserted during a 90 min procedure. I was allowed to leave hospital the following day. The cardiologist suggested I stay away from the gym for about a week to let the puncture wound in the groin seal properly, and then I can resume my physical activity as before.

Therefore I plan to start going to the gym and gradually build up my fitness and resume playing hockey in about 6 weeks time."

AEROBIC DANCER

DAILY AEROBIC EXERCISES

Eduardo, Colombia

"I am 40 years old and at age 39, I suffered an event of an AMI in the right coronary, which was treated with angioplasty and stent placement. I was diagnosed a Killip I AMI. It happened during aerobic dance exercising, which I constantly enjoyed. Needless to say I was devastated at first as I had been very active in my entire life since very little, having been raised in a tennis playing family. I had been going to the health club almost every day for many years, and my workouts included both aerobic and isotonic excercises.

During the first month after the incident, I was instructed by the doctors to limit exercising to walking every day for one hour, plus attending cardiac rehabilitation in the hospital. It was very difficult for me at that time to limit all my activities to such slow level!

Well, but then in the second month, yoga and fitball classes were allowed. After the third month, light weightlifting and light aerobics were added. Then, after the fourth month, I had a stress test performed where the results indicated that I achieved 93% of my maximum heart rate, reached 14 Mets of oxygen intake thus prognosing - excellent tolerance to exercise with no chest pain reported - and - no significant changes in the ST segment of the ECG. So the doctors then allowed for increasing, more demanding activities such as spinning, step aerobics and squash. The Cardiologist, together with the Physiatric Physician at the

Hospital's rehabilitation program, calculated the safe heart rate ranges. I was also appointed to run in the National Marathon for patients with CAD. I now go to the gym everyday, and my regular weekly workouts include daily aerobic exercises which include activities such as step aerobics, dance aerobics, squash, and isotonic exercises (weights) four times a week for muscle tone.

I think what has helped me the most was the ability to progressively regain my confidence and prove to myself that I still can do all the activities that I have enjoyed in my life."

MARATHON MAN

MARATHON IN 8 HOURS AND 17 MINUTES

Lucas, South Africa

"I am 39 years old and had angioplasty with 2 stents in the right artery. Genetics: father passed away at 42. I had 2 blockages of 99% and 90%. My doctor did the operation.

The operation has been very successful and 2 months later I ran my 7th annual marathon in 8 hours and 17 minutes. It is the well known comrades marathon and probably the most gruelling 56 miler, 90km in the world. My ECG and other tests were fine.

If that is clear and no signs of restenosis I can return to flying duties (flight purser) with our airline."