Essential Information For Cyclists | How Safe Is Your Heart?

Heart rate monitors are a common training tool in cycling, but heart health is rarely discussed. Do we take our hearts for granted as cyclist's? Si investigates the different factors that sport plays in heart health and the inherent risks that genetics and age can play in cycling's relationship to heart health.

Overwhelmingly cycling, and exercise on the whole is good for you, but does cycling place an increased strain upon the most important muscle in your body? If you'r ever in doubt it's best to have your heart check properly by a cardiologist, especially if you have a family history of heart problems.

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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Brendon Moeller - Apparent Solution
Lama House - Cotton Spheres
Brendon Moeller - Departure Lounge
Brendon Moeller - Sunshine Rain
Brendon Moeller - Prologue
Tape Machines - We Gotta Go (Instrumental Version)
SFX Producer - Heart Beat Fast
SFX Producer - Heart Monitor

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[peterwray]

This is unbelievably timely. I am a 67 yr old 170 lbs 5’8” lifelong cyclist. I average 200 miles a week 20-24 mph. No family history of heart disease. I was treated for Afib two years ago and underwen went a successful ablation. 10 days ago following a morning club ride I collapsed in our coffee shop with n full cardiac arrest apparently due to something I had never heard of before: ventricular fibrillation or Vfib. The two lower chambers of my heart had gotten stuck in an electrical loop and were fluttering instead of pumping. Vfib can quickly be fatal and only in 17% of occurrences outside of health facility survive with no neurological are soft organ damage. In my case two of my mates immediately jumped on me and began vigorous (hard and deep) CPR until the fire department and ambulance could arrive. Still in the coffee shop, they had to shock me twice with a defibrillator to get my heart beating again. Later in the hospital surgeons implanted a defibrillator/pacemaker device to assist me in the future. Before I collapsed I felt no racing or unusual symptoms except before feeling faint and weak ... and then waking up in the ER. Two important and clear lessons: know CPR and act quickly! My brain and my life was saved because my friends acted without hesitation and forcefully kept my heart beating. Seriously - learn CPR!!!

[vivoslibertos]

Cycling is never good for your heart. You could get heart attack just from the bike parts prices alone.

[maxmuenchow]

Way to go GCN. Every health related video of yours is a true blessing. Raising awareness is more effecitve than any form of treatment.

[TheCyclingCardio]

I’m a cardiologist, and I like this video very much...give a lot of insight, and triggers discussion and further learning..thank you very much GCN

[mickelkobeck]

I have been riding and racing for over 30 years....I knew of my family history of heart disease...but I truthfully thought I beat it....about 15 months ago I had a heart attack...no warning signs, started to feel dizzy...next thing I knew I woke up with the people that performed CPR on me standing over me...I had to have a triple bypass, as my father did. Fast forward to now, my Cardiologist is very proud of me, he says my fitness level probably saved me. I soon returned to riding, training and am doing some TT's. I feel great. LEARN your family history.

[ClubmanGT]

As a 50 year old doctor, runner and cyclist I can certainly say this video is brilliant. Terribly important advice about being assessed and especially warning signs when exercising. Very well presented, thanks Si.

[ellmerfudd]

Bloody hell guys, how do you keep the quality of every video you turn out so good?! Excellent subject, brilliantly presented. Anybody else look forward to logging onto YouTube everyday just to see the latest GCN video?!

[nicovanniekerk]

After 4 heart operations, having a defibrillator implanted in my chest and getting a mechanical aorta valve all before the age of 25, I started cycling. Bought a cheap road bike and have completed two Cape Town Cycle Tours since. Both my cardiologists encouraged cycling, but we worked out a proper training program to ensure I build my heart gradually, and monitor my exercises carefully. Thank you for this great video that gives some more background on the issues out there, love your channel.

[Bikefixers]

Great video GCN, as a cyclist who has lived with a prosthetic aortic heart valve for nearly 40 years I know how important heart health is and how important regular monitoring is. I am planning on doing the NC500 Ride (after seeing your video last week) next year to celebrate 40 years since my open heart surgery & raise loads of money for UK Heart charities & also try & get some other heart patients on the ride. Keep up all the good work you are doing to promote cycling as a great way to keep fit & healthy.

[DonGibson]

Finally, a straight talking doctor who can confirm exactly what I have found in the real world. Take note people - don't exercise when ill. It can make life really difficult.

[Norman]

Thanks GCN from and older and still committed cyclist (67). Si does a really good job on serious topics.

[codexiv]

Last month, got a news of my old friend collaps during night cycling trip from heart failure. Charismatic guy who always gives positive vibe to ppl around him. We gonna miss u buddy.

[gustavorincon]

As stated in the video, most problems arise from 2 factors: genetics and stimulation, so as a general rule, cycling is safe for your cardiovascular system, but you have to take into account predisposition and use of substances like caffeine and other stimulants

[j.w.matney]

Great post. A very good friend who was a lifelong mountain biker and road cyclist died of heart failure last November while riding on his favourite trail in Marin, CA. RIP Kirk Wallace

[TheWaxChainFanClub]

I have given my best friend specific instructions that if I'm found dead with a laptop on my lap, to delete my search history, dress my corpse in cycling kit, and dump me and my bike at the side of the road.

[akeeperofoddknowledge]

As a massive heart-attack survivor and former hard-core martial artist and recreational cyclist - I found your video (and all your videos) to be extremely informative!
Thank you for sharing!

[ralphblundell]

Brilliant/evil edit at 7.30 “ the typical mamil” and cut to a sweating Dan on the turbo.

[neilablard]

The quality of the GCN health videos has exploded of late. Well researched, well produced and engagingly presented. My other half works in cardiology, and was nodding sagely throughout, which is endorsement enough of the accuracy for me. Though we both decided Si's trouser choice was the only let-down in the vid. Beige Chinos? I can see why he was less embarrassed about getting his chest out. "Yes, show my scrawny pecs, just make sure you only do waist-up shots. My pants are on loan from Lloydy's wardrobe..."

[grahamballard]

In France where I live it’s necessary to have certificate from a doctor to join a cycling club, in my case as an older rider 69 I was sent to have a full investigation with all the above tests and a Velo test. It finished with the cardiologist congratulating me for having the heart of a 46 year old.

[garychaundy]

"Older riders returning to sport", cut to shot of Dan Lloyd. Ouch!