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.
Check out the GCN Shop: gcn.eu/1r0
Subscribe to GCN: gcn.eu/SubscribeToGCN
Register your interest in the GCN Club: gcn.eu/1q-
Join our Facebook community: gcn.eu/FBCommunity
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.
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍
If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link - gcn.eu/1qZ
Watch more on GCN...
📹 Cycling And Sexual Health | gcn.eu/SexualHealth
📹 Cycling And Mental Health | gcn.eu/mentalhealth
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
Photos: © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/
About GCN:
The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on KZbin’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!
Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling
Thanks to our sponsors:
Assos of Switzerland: gcn.eu/Assos
fi’zi:k Shoes & Saddles: gcn.eu/fizikshoes and gcn.eu/fiziksaddles
Wiggle: gcn.eu/wiggle
Enervit Nutrition: gcn.eu/Enervit
Topeak Tools: gcn.eu/Topeak
Canyon Bikes: gcn.eu/-Canyon
Bell Helmets: gcn.eu/bell
Roka Sunglasses: gcn.eu/roka
Quarq: gcn.eu/Quarq
Orbea Bikes: gcn.eu/Orbea
Vision Wheels: gcn.eu/Vision
Zipp Wheels: gcn.eu/Zipp
Wahoo Fitness: gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness
Park Tool: gcn.eu/-parktool
Continental Tyres: gcn.eu/continental-
Camelbak: gcn.eu/camelbak-
Komoot Route Planning: gcn.eu/-komoot
Suscribirse a GCN en Español: gcn.eu/Suscribirse
The GCN Club - gcn.eu/club
KZbin Channel - gcn.eu/gcnYT
Facebook - gcn.eu/gcnFb
Instagram - gcn.eu/GCNInsta
Google+ - gcn.eu/gcnGPlus
Twitter - gcn.eu/gcnTW
GMBN Tech - gmbn.tech/subscribe
GCN Tech - gcntech.co/subscribe
EMBN - embn.me/subscribe
Leave us a comment below!

[@peterwray6067]

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!!!

[@eclecticcyclist]

Another lesson from what your weight indicates is that it's time to change your diet, and get a a CAC heart scan.

[@RHP9898]

56 years old, swimming 3kms 3x week and riding or gym 3 times a week, no struggle felt fine. Went to see my doctor because my calves were swollen and found I had a heart beat of 28 bpm! 4 days later I walked out of hospital with a pacemaker. Never saw it coming, I was feeling fine, was fit, no symptoms. Guys, get the tests done, a heart attack or stroke can sneak up and catch you unawares. I'm cycling and swimming again.....

[@eclecticcyclist]

@@RHP9898 As the nutritionists say "you can't excersise your way out of a bad diet"

[@saymyname218]

@@eclecticcyclist "Listen to this guy!"

[@RKov-ng7we]

Peter: - I am totally blown away by your experience. I too have A-Fib. Have already experienced 4 episodes since 2017. Unlike yourself, I weigh 200 lbs, 5’9” & 67 and cycle at least 4 days a week. However, my speed is dramatically slower than yours. Still, that “ablation surgery” was going to be my future way to end further A-Fib episodes.

[@vivoslibertos]

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

[@phasedinduction6956]

Rekt

[@jfcash84]

Ain’t this the truth!

[@saurabhbawawohnhaftinnerem4429]

U

[@RayReynoldsTalentLLC]

So should I bike or not?

[@sharpgirlsSerious]

F u n n y. ! 😂

[@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

[@gcn]

Thanks Aron, great to have your approval!

[@Onealmightypod]

Dare I ask for your opinion around sugar and cardiac inflammation? Do you eat products that you do not recognise the constitution of?

[@TheCyclingCardio]

As far as I know, food with added sugar is best avoided for Cardiovascular and energy metabolic reason...but may not directly associated with inflammation... And it is best to know what’s in your food, so processed meat like sausage, meatballs, nuggets, with no guaranteed consist of natural ingredients are best avoided.. Though it’s all about self discipline, in reality I still consume those products once in a while for recreational purpose...life and work happens, we don’t always have access to good quality food..

[@RACING5312001]

I got diagnosed with HCM over 5 years ago now with a septum of about 3.0cm. AM 50 years old used to race a lot but now packed that it but i'm itching to return again to do a few time trials. Don't have any symptoms. Thought I had Asthma five years ago but I believe it was the HCM now causing me wheezing and shortness of breath

[@travels129]

Aron Husink riding a bicycle is healthy for heart

[@Don1Gibson]

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.

[@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.

[@jeffk464]

Yup, outstanding episode.

[@adityaiyer7600]

True that

[@batterybuilding]

​@Savage Poet Let me give you a hand reading between the lines: prevention is easier than a cure. Its easier to maintain something than repair. If someone chooses not to do the really harmful drugs, that is a much easier path than rehab. See, not so hard, eh?

[@bobmajew53]

I have to agree with you and that's why Juice machines come before new Cranks.

[@Werkaholik261]

Agreed. Take it slow and pace yourself. You actually improve over time. I'm 58 years old and have a heart of an athelete....words from my doctor. 🚲🚲💪😎 Ride smart, not hard.

[@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.

[@rononyourleftretired5144]

:-)

[@robbchastain3036]

O no, don't delete the search history. That way they'll know to watch GCN. And maybe play your favorite video at the roadside funeral :)

[@newttella1043]

Delete all your bike porn web history so your wife won't ever find out how obscene bikes/bike parts costs.

[@AH-hp5si]

There’s a service for this ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpC0cmqDZ9uEeNk

[@timothymburton]

My greatest fear for an early death is that my wife will sell all my cycling stuff for what I told her I paid for it...

[@garychaundy146]

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

[@grahamballard7041]

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.

[@mickelkobeck7376]

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.

[@FlatSpinMan]

Mickel Kobeck That is an interesting comment. My dad, who has never done cycling or running etc but always been very active, recently discovered two of the arteries into his heart were 95% blocked. A doctor said that usually having one that is 70% blocked is very hard on the sufferer. I have to think it was his decent underlying health and fitness that kept him from being too troubled by it. He was fortunate in that it could be treated with a stent, rather than open heart surgery. Certainly gives me pause, given that, while I move a lot and cycle a lot, I do also eat a lot of food I shouldn’t.

[@mickelkobeck7376]

@@FlatSpinMan My Heart Surgeon is a runner...his statement when I said I thought I had "beaten" my family history was "you can't outrun...or outride your genes."

[@FranciscoElNeneGalan]

@@mickelkobeck7376 you probably could have...Dr. Esselstyn...plant based, no oil..

[@mickelkobeck7376]

@@FranciscoElNeneGalan Probably....NOT

[@mickelkobeck7376]

@Oneman Oneman Pretty much....not quite yet...Docs say I'm good to train, race whatever.

[@ellmer1fudd]

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 KZbin everyday just to see the latest GCN video?!

[@faisalalsaiful3838]

me actually!☺

[@gcn]

Thanks ellmer, that's very kind

[@douglaspate9314]

Totally agree. The quality of video and subject quality of content of video is well impressive!!

[@robbchastain3036]

I regularly enjoy the content of several cycling channels and I put the blame on GCN. It's all their fault. And I am thankful to be a member of this worldwide cycling tribe. And GCN will forever be the Mothership. And in the accent of Peter by Ollie, I would say, "For me, it is healthy addiction."

[@m6johnson]

They've been knocking it out of the park lately. This one is just another in a recent string of great videos. Keep it up, GCN.

[@ashfaqalve1423]

grand pop died of heart attack played in the national football team and saw him doing pull ups a few days before he died at 83. When he was hospitalised, from which he returned home in a box, he fucking took the stairs to the 8th floor where he was administered. Remember, he was the patient and we took the stairs! Love you g pop

[@ClubmanGT1971]

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.

[@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.

[@renegadeflyer2]

Your a inspiration. I'm cycling with a pig valve for 3+ years, after emergency surgery to replace my valve and part of aortic artery. Raced a 70 km cross country last week. Never been fitter in my life. Got the green light and I put the pedal down.

[@johns3106]

@renegadeflyer2 You have a very similar story to mine...I needed emergency surgery (due to endocarditis) 3 years ago too. I received a mechanical aortic valve & aorta, and a patch on my heart wall where the infection had destroyed it. I feel very lucky to be alive, and even luckier to be able to get back to all my athletic endevors (after a year of gradual recovery) at pretty much the level I was at before surgery. Thank goodness for modern medicine and all the folks who practice it!! 🚴❤️

[@renegadeflyer2]

@@johns3106 I had a porcine valve, replaced the aortic root and repaired the arch. This was after spending 36 hours in a rural hospital. Asking for a CT scan. The emergency dr though I was over reacting and didn't think I knew what I was talking about. Sometimes I wish I was wrong

[@johns3106]

@renegadeflyer2 What was the underlying problem that forced your surgery? I was ill for two months and (finally) in the hospital for a week before it was discovered that I had a bacterial infection raging through my heart. It is always oddly comforting to know that there are others out there who have experienced something similar to my situation.

[@renegadeflyer2]

@@johns3106 I woke up in the morning with chest pain it seemed to me it felt like pressure not so much at first ,but as time went on it got worse. As any farmer would do. The cattle got look after first before going to the emergency. The nurse ask me if I had a Hart murmur before. I said no. Than I told her about my older brother getting a Hart valve and I thought it would be very good idea to get me to the CT scan. Thinking there might something going on in that area. The dr though I had an infection on the pericardium. He didn't tell me this but a nurse gave me a antibiotic pills an no info. The next morning the dr sent me for a CT scan to look for blood clots. I had told the CT tech my story and could she please look at my Hart valve and the area around and up . She told she would take a quick look. And sometimes I wish I was wrong, but I did survive and I have no restriction so far. I had a bicuspid Hart valve, an aneurysm, arortic dissection and it was leaking.

[@Norman92151]

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

[@smitajky]

I am also 67 and do a lot of training. I was interested in the video. Although I am not as worried about mortality as you might expect. I am more concerned about the quality of life than its quantity. Living an extra twenty years tied to a chair in a nursing home is my idea of hell on earth.

[@anthonylovell2271]

@@smitajky definitely not the way anyone wants to spend their extra years

[@dicktheaspergeron4988]

OldER but definitely not old ! You'll know there are a huge number of cycists (and good ones) well into their 80s and I hope you get there and further, still riding safely and enjoying it. Good luck !

[@kaykhan1315]

Yes me too mate,im 59. Happy healthy cycling

[@nicovanniekerk9765]

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.

[@hirisquvidson7625]

Whoa before 25? What happened if you don't mind me asking?

[@cdcoop0]

I'm a relatively new cyclist (4-5 years) and have a bicuspid aorta valve. I'm good now - I have been riding a lot more in the last 2 years - but will have to get it replaced at some point I think. I am curious - are you able to ride like normal (or with higher heart rates) with the mechanical valve?

[@molarman1594]

All the best Bru

[@code3xiv]

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.

[@ralphblundell106]

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

[@douglaspate9314]

Yup! Saw that!!

[@j.w.matney8390]

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

[@gravyboat2370]

Makes me feel uncomfortable in my chest watching this !!!

[@shareefmk5982]

gravy boat same feeling

[@yellowlightingbolt]

+1 hahaha

[@rariru4538]

My Heart pumping so hard, while watching this haha 😄

[@madmechanic7976]

At 43 I was thinking the other day on a steep hill climb that this is the way I'm gonn go ... I'm ok with that.

[@ghenulo]

I'm 40 and have been bicycling up and down this mountain on which I live since I was 27. Some of the more steep parts do increase my heart rate, but it reduces down whenever I get to a less steep part. But if I actually had a problem, I'd likely just reduce the gear (I just increased the gear I come up a few weeks ago, and I could always reduce it again, at the minor expense of it taking me two extra minutes to get up the mountain).

[@MTBXCSKI65]

My thoughts exactly. Climbing a hill on either my bike or my xc skis...and I'm 72, and have lived with mild aortic stenosis from Rheumatic fever for 67 yrs. Resting heart rate of 50, but under the stress of a helluva climb it will reach 172.

[@Rivengewildrift]

@@MTBXCSKI65 wow.. u're 72 and still alive, respect you are a living skeleton a true history legend walking among humans.

[@mickeytaker4255]

I'm sure you'll change your mind if it happens to you🤯

[@Dansthoughts]

I feel the same way 100%. At least I'll go while having fun.

[@SubaruProduction]

my heart rate raised just by watching this

[@andrewgay7137]

100%

[@TriRussell1]

I thought I was having heart issues about a year so I went and got it checked out. Everything came back normal, but I was still having pain in my left chest and arm. I kept tabs on it and let my doctor know when things changed. Then one day while driving to work I lost the feeling in left arm. I went into panic mode. In the end all the symptoms I though had to do with my heart were actually a nerve that was getting pinched in my neck due to a swollen muscle that was pushing against my vertebrae. Now I’m getting regular chiropractic adjustments and massages, and doing physical therapy daily. Make sure to get check out when things seem off.

[@bloodorange28]

happy to hear it was diagnosed and worked out. peace!

[@TheOtid]

Thanks! I have similar problem. Not the lost feeling, but similar symptoms. Always good to have second opinion.

[@einercolt9970]

What test did you did?

[@JamesThomas-wf6qm]

I’m glad everything worked out for you! Though, I will say that chiropractic adjustments are not as safe as people would believe.

[@neilablard2768]

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..."

[@wanajday]

I agree about the pants. He should have been wearing his plaid plus fours.

[@DazznetITServices]

Excellent video Si. This, along with the mental health video not only resonate so much with how I feel when cycling but also give so much information and advice e to how to not only look after yourself as you get older but to also create awareness to monitor and control training and exercise as we get older. Videos like this give so much value, keep them coming!!

[@gustavorincon1640]

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

[@johnschofield3586]

Thanks for making this excellent video and for including lots of detail without dumbing it down. Keep it up!

[@cristianguerrero9683]

Thank you GCN. I needed to see this. Comming back from injury. Have a great season gents.

[@m6johnson]

Well done, GCN. I started back riding 2 years ago and now at 60, I'm thinking about heart issues as well. This video answers a lot of questions and puts me more at ease with my concerns. Timely and well done. Thanks much to Si and the whole GCN crew.

[@Silentisdeath]

I've been watching your channel for about a year or two now. This could be a top 5 or 10 video I've seen from you. Really well done!

[@vampireotaku4172]

Wow this video was intense makes me appreciate my heart so much more.

[@Ouray4570]

I very much enjoy GCN's health-related pieces (and everything else), and this one was simply outstanding. You guys are wonderful!!

[@paolobramucci3609]

An excellent video on the subject of the heart and athletic fitness. I would say the best that I have ever seen. So much so that I will be sharing with my social circle. Thank you GCN!

[@jimmybol]

Some of the mid-interview cuts around the 10 minute mark made me seriously crack up. Simon's hands moving whilst the expert is talking, the close-up macro of Simon's ears. Quality camera/editing work boys xD

[@crbondur]

Great video. As an "Older" (almost 50) cyclist, runner and triathlete with a mitral valve prolapse, it's cool to see such good coverage of just how exercise and heart health work for AND against each other. Keep up the great work!

[@andreachiado3664]

This video was just.. BLESSING, thank you for having shared the results of your visit!

[@dominiquefrechette]

All your health related videos are excellent. Well documented. Interviews with very credible experts. Not single sided, which is refreshing on this platforms.

[@Kayork]

I'm two months into cycling and GCN has been the best resource for both skills learning and becoming informed with the health risks due to the sport. Thank you, you're all doing great work, and the production is quality!

[@Solarsystem50]

This is one of the most interesting shows you guys have done. Every cyclist have asked themselves the same questions after a 4 hour cardio session. More of this type of content. please!

[@grantnixon9818]

Perhaps the most informative GCN video I’ve seen. Please provide more like these.

[@jamesphillipson-lowe8008]

Brilliant video and very informative! Well done GCN and Si!

[@xraydoc22]

Si, really well done. Thank you for addressing this important topic. Hats off to GCN once again!

[@RudiDwiHartanto]

Mr Richardson and health video, name a more iconic duo. Awesome writing, great production quality. Awesome!

[@gcn]

Cheers Rudi, hope you find this one informative

[@jseski9209]

Simply BRILLIANT. And thank you; I don't know if this was created in response to my request on the subject OR if you maybe didn't even see the request & this was already on the docket - but my sincerest appreciation. You did a fantastic job of answering some broad-ranging questions & delving deeper than the default ("here's your max heart rate".. great what does that mean exactly?!?!?) discussions. Outstanding. again, thanks GCN!!

[@TrailPOV]

Fascinating video. Thx for putting this together and not cutting out very detailed info and instead keeping it a deep dive.

[@theclydesdalemtber2194]

This is awesome. Very detailed and informative. Thanks GCN

[@akeeperofoddknowledge4956]

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!

[@MikeKobb]

This was outstanding. The doctor’s explanations are incredibly clear and helpful. Thank you!

[@carlosenriquereategui481]

One of the best videos I saw about health and cycling. Thank you GCN guys!

[@HazMatt1014]

This video was a long time coming, and super important. Shows how versatile you guys are with what you're doing over there. Thanks for this video, and all the others, where you cover both the fun and the serious side of life on 2 wheels.

[@gcn]

Thanks HazMatt!

[@carlpowell1855]

Amateur athlete and been cycling for 8 years after other sports - 2018 turned my life upside down. I know have a diagnosed heart arrhythmia in my left ventricular. ICD fitted and life long medication and had a significant heart procedure carried out. I’m now working towards recovery and a new normal health me...I took my health and my heart for granted despite looking after myself. Look after and take care of yourself everyone.

[@jamesharvey1875]

Carl Powell woah that’s heavy. I got afib/heart failure and stroked in 2017 at 39 yo. I’m back riding now but mainly indoors. Zwift has been a godsend, my wife is much happier and I can exercise is a safe controlled environment. Check it out if you haven’t already.

[@menow8090]

It is great to watch a health promotion show about active people and the risks we face. Almost all other health advise shows I have watched, have been for the inactive, high risk group. Just brilliant ! Thank you GCN.

[@jimhansen5395]

This is the best video GCN has ever produced. It's imminently valuable to everyone, whether they be beginning cyclists or pros, retirees getting some exercise, or a college student racing in the local clubs. Literally anyone who watches this video will benefit from the knowledge presented. Thank you very much (now I'm going to go schedule a Cardiac Screening). :)

[@od1koneod171]

Wonderful to see this discussed by GCN. Lots of older guys in my cycling circles with AF... so a pretty hot topic of late. Good balanced answers... certainly significant, but many positives to balance. Agree 'whole heartedly' about backing off when ill, being properly trained for big efforts and giving plenty of recovery time after major endurance outputs! Nice one GCN

[@freewheels7544]

Well .... i will die doing what i like...

[@marcusking4365]

Great video with lots of good information. I like how Si addresses theses subjects. This is such a great channel!

[@dennisuerling899]

Great job Si! You have been asking some excellent health related questions in relation to cycling lately! This is a question I have not thought about myself, but am happy that you asked the questions.

[@magicrobharv]

As a man who got into cycling later in life, I really enjoyed this video. Great info!

[@bugeye72]

Thanks for this. I just learned this week that I have an enlarged heart due to radiation treatments for Hodgkins disease 25 years ago. I don't know where things will end up for me, regarding this, but I appreciate what you put put out here, as this subject has taken up a lot of space in my head this week!

[@csobering3108]

Ya, another great and timely video. Thanks GCN.

[@williambanzhof9739]

EXCELLENT! Thanks for presenting!

[@mlegrand]

Great video. I’ve been freaked out about this subject matter for a while now. Great interview with the sports cardiologist! 👍

[@rickyricardo9918]

I'm still a little freaked b/c that enzyme mentioned at 4:12 - the cause of Si's gasp, Troponin is normally associated with dying heart tissue & turned up in me after a fairly strenuous training run. Turns out studies show a minority of participants completing a marathon will have elevated Troponin. Hopefully that's all it was but a doctor consulting with a cardiologist didn't know about the athletic exception so an ambulance was summoned to take me to the ER, (I refused & had my wife drive me) where the second doctor did an ECG, left the room, returned with a a couple printed pages citing Troponin presence in runners & cyclists then sent me home.

[@GraemeRobinson]

Excellent video, in particular the description of heart function prior to the cardiac specialist running through his spiel - I don't think I've seen heart function so clearly described before.

[@juniorkilath4634]

very much thank you GCN for this content... love from the phil. 🇨🇿

[@garybc]

I love this video. Thanks Si and GCN.

[@noahwilson625]

I have been riding for a few years, however this year I started getting a racing heart beat after exercising and have had these tests done to me. This was very interesting and has really helped me. Thankfully all my tests came back fine and I’m alright now

[@drchrisfrykman7573]

Thanks. Great informative video. I’ve been wondering about this

[@wickrider]

I started the video and stoped to pause at 1:08 to write this comment.- Thanks for there amazing videos. You cannot beleive how much I recognize myself in the first couple of sentences from Si's intro and how much the subject speaks to me. THis sunday after 2 days of hard ridding. This decribes exactly how i feel now coming up to 45 in a month or so. I feel strong and spend hours and hours pushing on bikes every week butI feel heart flutters. Never any pain or lack of energy but I am concerns about it. In brief, I will continue to watch the video, and will act accordingly. Thanks again guys for touching such an amazing span of different subjects. You guys are cycling and you do an amazing job. It is so much appreciated. Cheers,

[@aaronwalker2246]

I am a keen cyclist, and have clocked up over 40,000 Strava miles in about 8 years. However last June I experienced a racing heart while sitting at my desk in the office. In A&E is was measured at 217 bpm. Diagnosis was Atrial fibrillation which is mentioned in this video. I take a daily beta blocker, and thankfully the heart rate has settled down. My cardiologist's advice was to keep cycling as my heart is structurally good, but to listen to my body and rest when I have to. I try not to exceed 170bpm when pushing on in club rides as I'm nearly 52. I hope to get those all time Strava miles to 100,000 before I'm 60 🙏 😄

[@gcn]

Take care!

[@Tj-km7ps]

Do you eat animal products?

[@Insolation1]

At 66 having participated in martial arts, rock climbing, weight training, distance running, both road and hill and similarly on a bike, all my life, I now realise I’m going to die, dam it.

[@stevek8829]

But, not at 65.

[@michaelleifels2004]

Great content, thanks GCN for addressing this health issues too! I would like to see more of this concerning I.e. lung function and metabolism related content as well. Keep up the good work and keep up the healthy cycling! Thanks Si.

[@robertbotta6536]

Dude you totally nailed it with this episode. So good. Thank you a zillion times.

[@jkolner]

One of the best videos from GCN.

[@niallshakeshaft1524]

Great video. I got two things for my 50th birthday a few months ago. A gravel bike and an Afib diagnosis! This video was both reassuring and clarifying!

[@tim6991]

I absolutely love the stuff you guys do! Always relevant, informative and entertaining. Nice work Mates! Cheers

[@cs-kd9tp]

I got an arrhythmia after a hard ride while taking otc sinus medicine. I didn't realize there was a stimulant in it. Had a thorough checkup and got the all clear. Cardio said my heart was in excellent shape and to keep doing what I was doing. But it has slowed me down as I have been avoiding my max hr on rides for about six months now. The anxiety aspect can change your behavior. Great video, important to know your body and ride within your limits.

[@spindee407]

Almost the same thing for me. Slowly working my way back. Woke up multiple time blacked out from afib. Off meds now, but this really altered my life.

[@cs-kd9tp]

I bet it has. I think getting back to normal will take time for me. I broke my collar bone last year and it took me about a year to feel confident on the bike without wearing extra padding. I suppose once I have gathered enough evidence from slowly increasing my hr then I will gain confidence that it was really a one off occurrence. Slowly working one's way back sounds like a good plan to me. Thanks, and I hope things go well for you.

[@Blakehx]

Thanks for the good info! My Dad exercised often (mostly weight training) and appeared to be in excellent shape. He ignored the warning signs of his most important muscle and died in his sleep of a massive heart attack at age 56. No amount of any exercise can make up for a terrible diet which is why he had nearly 90% blockages around his heart!

[@ladytradiej8027]

😪

[@jamesbull9879]

Lovely video GCN and Si. Really important topic and one that we need to be more aware of. Great to see these topics discussed

[@petrichor649]

It's kept me fit for half a century, resting heart rate of 56 and 112/90 blood. In my 60th year now , so I keep my heart under 170 these days. Great video.

[@IANN10]

Great video and as always very well delivered facts. Speaking as someone who discovered a lazy mitral valve in my heart, trying to keep up with my son up the Sussex hills. I thought I had mild indigestion, If in doubt check it out. Now I wear a wrist heart monitor and run/bike keeping an eye on HR.

[@joringauci4036]

The answer that i was waiting for is that hospitals are not filled with athlete 's but they are filled with smokers and obese. Good video #GCN

[@ghenulo]

How about we obese people who bicycle? Actually, I'm no longer obese, because I dieted (down from 273 lbs to 178; bicycling alone didn't do diddly squat to help me lose weight), hoping that my rear wheel's axle wouldn't break so often, but if I hadn't, I'd still be obese.

[@ian3893]

Try telling that to smokers,typical response being “I’ve smoked for 40 years and I’m healthy” 😂

[@rei9269]

Ian he’s pretty much dead inside

[@dushk0]

most likely they died before an ambulance arrived or a friend cranked up the car, gone in 60 seconds - could it be the reason you don't see them in hospitals?

[@jeanmartin963]

regular activity is good for your health, pushing your body to the limits is not. A former ironman racer will not state the obvious.

[@vladuchoo]

This kind of content is amazing, the best one on the channel, please keep it up.

[@lukaswachter8951]

Many thanks GCN for this video. Very helpful to hear about health topics as well. All the best, and ride on :)

[@Buckarooskiczek]

I experienced A-fib for the first time ever, almost exactly a year ago. I was 66 and was getting back into shape after a three year lapse. The EKG and Cardiology exams all indicated normal heart functions. What I did differently was, a high-caffeine supplement...I mean, this stuff gave me a zip in the afternoons at work and then, after work three-four days a week I’d be pushing my heart rate to 150-160 or so at intervals. This lasted about a month and one day I woke up feeling like shit and my Apple Watch was telling me I may have had an A-fib. The doc confirmed it and I got my self a jolt at the ER that put everything back to normal, instantly. (Weird experience!) After all the tests, we pretty much determined it was the supplement. Still biking and running but not pushing it to the max for any extended time. Coming to terms with age is the next challenge... Just want add a big thanks for this video. Earned a sub from me and maybe will save somebody’s life...you never know.

[@estascosasraras]

Buckarooskiczek Productions Yep, I cant do energy drinks sometimes they drive my system crazy. Not worth it.

[@fpainchaud350]

Guys this was an absolutely fabulous video!

[@alinapopescu872]

Dear GCN Team, I really enjoy watching your videos. I find them very informative and relaxing, and they're of great help to me during the toughest period in my personal life. Thank you all.

[@chiefrocker12]

Outstanding. The GCN show is getting better with time. Clearly, judging by the comments below, this show is addressing matters that are outside promotional content and just tech; this is life stuff that we all can learn from and apply. Well done Si & the GCN crew!

[@donross7820]

I am a 77 year old retired ER physician and I am a rabid advocate of the health benefits of cycling. It truly works miracles and as an example I can still do a 4:16 on the USAA Cycling 5 minute TT (a 4% average upgrade at 6300 foot elevation in Colorado Springs). I weigh low 170 pounds. I can't believe how good I still feel thanks to cycling BUT one area doctors never discuss (and this is huge) is alcohol and the heart. Alcohol is a potent cardiomyotoxin (meaning it is toxic to the heart muscle and causes heart muscle inflammation) but this is dose related. When I was in training I had a 23 year old die from his excessive alcohol intake causing congestive heart failure. In the ER I would see young people come in with an arrhythmia over the holidays due to excessive alcohol (thus the title "Holiday Heart"). As one gets older the risk of Atrial Fibrillation goes up logarithmically and AF can be exercise induced. AF causation is multifactorial and these precipitators make it much more likely during a ride: dehydration, low potassium, hypothermia (even drinking a smoothie can bring it on!), lack of sleep, too much caffeine, thyroid excess, and others. But no one ever seems to bring up the subject of excessive alcohol prior and the risk of AF. I love a nice red wine and this leaves me conflicted but I have found that half a bottle 2-3 days a week seems to not precipitate AF so one does not need to totally do without. My take home message to all us geriatric cycling advocates is keep all those precipitators to a minimum including alcohol and you can continue to partake of the Fountain of Youth and not need what most doctors would recommend: blood thinners or cardiac ablation! Also, watch your heart monitor (Garmin or whatever) like a hawk and when your rate starts getting in the upper ranges just back off to keep it out of trouble. Very high rate from exertion can bring on AF.

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

How high of a heart rate. 85 percent of your max, 90 percent of your max or 100 percent of your max.

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

I got an ablation because I need to go above 60 to 70 percent of my max heart rate. I do not drink at all.

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

Also, was not fun having to tip-toe around my heart making sure I kept the heart rate down. Had to walk up stair slowly, ride my bike very slowly. No hills. No running. Had to move slow. This was total BS and I got the ablation so that I can move faster and be able to workout normal and ride my bike normal. I just will not race flat out at 100 percent like I used to. But I still want to do some hills and race some.

[@rebellis13]

Thanks alot for this video GCN :) My cycling buddies were always concerned when I talked about my quite high max HR of 202 aged 33 which seems unusually high for them. I think I should talk to my doc about it too. Keep up the great work !

[@awesomexistence]

Dennis, my max at your age was similar and still was 195 at age 45 and is approximately 182 now at age 66. I had 20 years of racing fortunately with only 1 abnormal heart condition which was from pushing myself to train when not fully recovered from a lung infection. HR would spike to 240+ with a hard effort and take several minutes to come down. Fortunately this condition went away with about 6 months of less intense training.

[@aoganlynch]

That's an excellent video. Well done GCN, top stuff.

[@mikeleppan8635]

Excellent video. Always great subject matter on the important subjects.

[@andrewwade5618]

I thouroughly recommend reading ‘The Haywire Heart’ : an excellent book on this subject!

[@awesomexistence]

Leonard Zinn is the coauthor of THE HAYWIRE HEART. He writes a monthly technical column for VELONEWS.COM which, if you use their archives going back approximately 4-5yrs, contains much about his heart procedures.

[@mikemanzella602]

Great video! Everyone should really pay attention to heart health.

[@JasonHegarty]

You guys are truly brilliant - an absolute credit to the cycling world!!

[@charlieelliott2294]

Another amazing video, like usual! Your work is above and beyond what any other you tuber does around here and it is well and truly outstanding! Especially when GCN does science, Si presents the videos absolutely spectacularly and is a very good presenter overall! You are all absolutely epic people and the amount of knowledge you ALL have is pretty amazing!!!! 🙂🙃☺️ WELL DONE EVERYBODY and you should all be very proud of yourselves with what you have created!!

[@deanmason5478]

As a survivor of a massive 100% left descending artery HA during a 3 day stage race and literally called Dead by 2 nurses before the ADE showed up, and now going on to my 13th year of cycling on 70% of heart function due to lack of flow of blood, I really appreciate this video done GCN and cyclists like Si...It’s re affirming to me that I’m still doing the right thing by pedaling Down the Road of Life, albeit with the my doctors care and a nice supply of medications.

[@FranciscoElNeneGalan]

Why do you bicycle?..

[@SirJerson]

A guy I knew 20 years ago had both parents go through a triple bypass in their 60s. He said he would criticise them saying it was because they were over weight, they needed to exercise and eat right. He didn’t want to end up like his parents so he ate right and would run 15k every morning, he didn’t have an ounce of excess fat. In his late 30s he said he started to notice his time increase for the morning 15k run which he put down to age but then in his early 40s what started to concern him was it started to feel like he required a lot more effort. Given his family history as a precaution he went to have a checkup and it was discovered he had blockages 95%, 80%, 45% and 10%, he had to have a triple bypass. He could only laugh at the situation and said he did everything right compared to his parents but in his words “I beat them by 20 years”.

[@EricWohnig]

I don't know how I've missed this video, but as a cyclist that has a complete heart block of my Atrioventricular node with a Pacemaker(on my 3rd and I'm 26), this was amazing.

[@azzanaki6368]

Cheers mate great information and we'll layed out , good luck and good health 👍.

[@bernd5199]

Yeah, I had to stop cycling after my cardiac arrest. My heart developed a deadly arrythmia. I thought I won't be able living without my passion, but it turned out to be okay. Now after my ablation I'm free of arythmias since 3 months.

[@dtrishacc]

How old were you?

[@eduardovargas7098]

Very useful video!! Thank you for share us this very important information. I’m going to take care about my heart (I’m 45 ) Regards from Mexico