10 replies to this topic

[RossBris]

Hey All,

I am probably being a hypocondriac but the young guy who passed away at the C2S made me think that perhaps at 27 there is a chance I could have a problem with the ticker. I have had no prior issues, however my Mum did have a Heart Attack 2 years ago (although she was a lifetime smoker).

Would it be worth asking my doctor to refer me to get an ECG (I think thats what its called) check? I just think he will brush me off given I am 27 not really overweight and fairly fit. I just want to make sure everything inside is getting as fit as I am.

Do most heart docs need a referral or can you just make an appointment?

Also does anyone have any idea on how much these things cost? I know the old "You cant put a price on your health" but I still have to pay the bills.

Appologies if there is already a post on this question, I searched but couldn't find one and didn't want to Hijack the C2S death post.

Ross...

[Colsy]

Those Heartcheck ads sent me in to a panic a while ago so I went along and had the whole lot done. Thingos attached and the run on the treadmill. It was quite relief to know things were OK. There would be a Heartcheck place in Brissy. They have had some bad press but the tests seem pretty legit to me. I didnt pay one red cent. Dont ask me how because I am ignorant about bulkbilling, medicare etc.

My dad died at 44 from a Heart Attack but I seem to be lucky enough to have avoided his issues.

Go along to your GP mate and get a referral for a full blood test, cholesterol etc.

http://www.heartcheck.com.au/

[tim]

http://www.heartattackproof.com/

[maryclaire]

I think that having a family history would get the attention of your Dr. My father collapsed and died at 50 - in the gym, a runner and rower and not overweight. But it turned out there was significant heart disease. So I now periodically have the stress test done - as a female my GP thought I was wasting my time, But I insisted and the Cardiologist did not believe I was wasting my time. Thankfully I have no markers and the stress tests are good however he still wants to see me every couple of years now that I've hit 40.

My advice: if it's worrying you, check it out for sure. You'll either get piece of mind and perhaps feel a bit foolish, or find something that can be dealt with early on, before it's too late.

[Rudolf]

tim, on Aug 12 2008, 11:55 AM, said:

http://www.heartattackproof.com/

thanks for the link, Tim


it is so many similar websites, books, research studies available, this one possible the most relevant since it is directly focusing on heart.


To the original question :

how likely it is that the person who dies during running race, would have anything picked up by the check up teh day before ?

My view - not very likely.

[73Robbo]

I had a routine ECG for an insurance assessment last week that flagged up peaked t-waves. At that point the Dr asked if I had any chest pains or shortness of breath (!) They are commonly seen 30 minutes after a myocardial infarction (heart attack)... Really pissed me off I can tell you. Especially as a 35yr old, after dropping 20kg in 12 months, completing a marathon and reducing my cholesterol by 40% through diet and exercise.

He did however concede I looked in remarkable health for someone in the midst of a heart attack. No doubt when the insurers see the ECG I'll need to go for a stress test. Test for hyperkalemia (high potassium) showed normal which could also result in peaked t-waves.

He suspected it was my normal and not to worry about it. I've run with my wife every time since then !

Sometimes google isn't your friend... 25% of all infarctions show no symptoms AT ALL (chest pain, shortness of breath etc)... there's a cheery thought for a Tuesday.

Off for a run tonight.

Prepare yourself fully when you take a look at these things and when you get results back, be sure to challenge the professional.

[73Robbo]

Since I was on the topic of google and did the research last week, it's worth noting that a heart attack (myocardial infarction) is typically caused by a blockage (from cholesterol plaque for example). This is what gives rise the the peaked t-waves on an ECG that was noted in my case. The ECG profile then changes over time. If I had another ECG and it came out the same then it would suggest normality.

This is not actually the same as sudden cardiac death, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmia or heart failure... although acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) can cause them along with other things.

Sorry... I'll stop now. Bound to get embarassed by an expert lurking out there.

[walshy2]

Rossbris,

I attend the doctor every year for a full blood test to check everything incl cholesterol and I also get a ECG done at the same time (all bulk billed).
I guess stuff could still happen, but I try and at least do what I can to be aware of any issues

Don't put it off, better safe than sorry

[RossBris]

Thanks for the input, I might head off to the doc and try and sweet talk them into bulk billing some tests. I am keen to see cholesterol and BP since my weight loss and diet change - and get to heart checked.

Ross...

[Colin]

Colsy, on Aug 12 2008, 11:50 AM, said:

Those Heartcheck ads sent me in to a panic a while ago so I went along and had the whole lot done. Thingos attached and the run on the treadmill. It was quite relief to know things were OK. There would be a Heartcheck place in Brissy. They have had some bad press but the tests seem pretty legit to me. I didnt pay one red cent. Dont ask me how because I am ignorant about bulkbilling, medicare etc.

My dad died at 44 from a Heart Attack but I seem to be lucky enough to have avoided his issues.

Go along to your GP mate and get a referral for a full blood test, cholesterol etc.

http://www.heartcheck.com.au/

You can't be too ignorant, because you must have shown them your medicare card or quoted the number, which was then billed...and that is called bulkbilling.

More seriously now, those Heartcheck outfits deserve the bad press... not sure what your GP or cardio says about them. Its essentially a "nothing" test. Told me I had all sorts of stuff wrong with my heart.

Went to a 'proper' Cardio specialist, did a 'proper' ECG etc etc and came through with flying colours.

However....

Rudolf, on Aug 12 2008, 02:51 PM, said:

To the original question :

how likely it is that the person who dies during running race, would have anything picked up by the check up teh day before ?

My view - not very likely.

I agree with that. The types of fatalities with are bracketed into 'sudden adult death' , Ventricular Arrhythmia etc leave little autopsy evidence, hence research has been slow to get causes. There are lots of specualtions about why and when it happens, but a lot more data needs to be collected on a longituditinal study.

But if the tests give you peace of mind, then I suppose that is a worthwhile outcome.

cheers

[Phantom Strider, retired]

There were over 5000 runners in that race. 1 managed to push himself so hard that he died (we weren't informed what it was that actually caused this). The fact that the article stated basically no information whatsoever on the person's physical condition doesn't inspire me to worry much.

Lets assume the guy was your average fit-ish runner. He was 1 in 5000 people in that race who happened to have the circumstances for it to occur. And what about all the other marathons that occur? If 1 person was dying every 10 000 in a race, then even then there'd definitely be a need to worry about the average runner's condition, but the fact is that this is a rare case scenario that we were given no information on except his age.

A person in my family had a heart attack too. But interestingly, they didn't get it until over 20 years after they stopped running.
I'm not saying it can't occur in these conditions, I'm just saying that its not worth starting to fret over your own health just because some article was written on a 1 in a million chance occurance.

I don't personally think its worth fretting over unless you're over 60 but I'm no health expert.. Maybe you should pay the doc a visit to find out.

Edited by Phantom Strider, retired, 17 August 2008 - 02:42 AM.