[Closed] Heart/blood pressure/cholesterol issues

Its a standard assessment and yes takes no account of exercise.

https://www.qrisk.org/three/

I do not know if exercise makes no measurable difference ( seems unlikely) or that as it self reporting its too inaccurate to be used ie people over report their exercise levels and do so inconsistently) or that so few folk exercise to the levels many of us on here do that we as a group are statistically insignificant

I went for my over 40's check about a year ago (I was 49) mainly as a cycling mate had just died of a heart attack. When they added everything in, including exercise, I was very low risk, but cholesterol 7.5 (turns out my folks have it too - genetic), so I now just take 20mg atoravastatin (low dose) and now in a good range. PS absolutely no side effects other than in makes you go to the loo regular.

Since then lost three other guys I know who were around 50.

I don't think the exercise comes into it too much although it probably plays a part in overall lifestyle choices.
I had my over 40s check (five years ago) and was given a very low risk (although family history was noted). I was running at least 5 times a week back then and cycling. also throw in a couple of dog walks every day.
At 41 I had an MI resulting in me dieing for 10 minutes. Had CPR and defib which fortunately got me back. Air ambulance to hospital and stent fitted. 1 artery 95% blocked.

The point is that although I was doing loads of exercise and was deemed to be very fit, this in no way mitigated the fact I had stenosis (has been put down to familial genetics) which resulted in me 'falling over'.
I'm on a host of drugs now including statin which help keep the cholesterol down. Prior to the incident I think it was a low 5 but was considered to be OK as it was the good HDL which was making the figures high (apparently).

It sounds like you have decent figures but your cholesterol is too high. Focus on getting that down and work with the physicians to get whats best for you - oh, and good luck, it doesn't mean you have to stop or slow down. The doctor who did my angioplasty/stent recommended that I keep up the exercise as it would help my heart recover and keep me healthier for longer.

My cholesterol level was also 7. I found this out in hospital after having a heart attack while riding on 13th June. 51! Had 4 stents in my left ventricular artery.

Felt fine, chest a bit tight when over 140bpm, otherwise flying along. Not fat, no high blood pressure, but family history of high cholesterol. Doing more than 250 miles a week on my bike in the shape of my life this year. Drove into A&E (coz it was just a twinge) and didn't emerge for 5 days.

I also went to the Dr's about 5 years ago after a health thing at work pointed out my high levels. Doc stuck the numbers into something very similar to that qrisk thing and said I was in the clear. <3% chance, apparently

If you are at these levels, at this age, now is the time to do something about it. Don't assume you will be fine, get it down.

Back on the bike today now I've dropped the bloody awful beta blockers they give everyone. My resting heart rate was 35 and every time I stood up I nearly fainted. Feeling more normal now. On the mend

Don't risk it. It'll only get worse.

Bunch of wusses my cholesterol is 8.7! I suspect my blood is actually 30% bacon fat

Hmmmm I need to get checked out I think. 72kg 167cm age 52 no particular issues but I have started using a HRM on zwift and one thing I’ve noticed is what appears to be a very slow recovery rate. I’m thinking might be hydration related but still going to get checked out fairly quickly.

54, fairly fit, reasonable diet, decent weight, family history, some twinges last spring, lots of tests and diagnosed with non obstructive heart disease with a couple of <35% stenosis on LHS. Cholesterol was around 5. Now on daily statins, BP drugs and aspirin. BP was a bit high, now fine, cholesterol now under 2.5. Cardiologist, who is a keen roadie, said stay HR sweet spot and avoid threshold. I ride a load of road and gravel but bought an ebike for MTB stuff to avoid the HR peaks.

Two of the biggest risk factors are family history and smoking. I'm surprised they didn't ask about those.

They do. See my link to the standard tool

OP didn't mention...

59 and been doing 2-3 rides per week in the Chilterns throughout the year and with the best fitness for years I fainted on a ride, I was out for 90 seconds & carried out a retreat from Moscow trip home
Went to the GP the following day, ended up in the cardiac unit at the local hospital & was discharged the same day with a stent. The clinical team were interested that I rode MTB asking lots of questions & reckoned the other arteries were covering for the blocked one. Fortunately, no heart damage. The beta blockers the hospital gave me meant my blood pressure hit the floor & heart beat averaged in the low 40s. Initially it felt like my body had been turned to a slower setting. It took a month before the GP decided to stop me taking them. BP & HB is lots more stable now but the beta blockers seem to linger in your system. Been following the Cardiac rehab exercises & it’s taken 6 weeks for fitness to come back. At the most recent review was told I could ride a bike again but that will be gentle rides on the road until I finally get an outpatient appointment. MTB routes around here are rather too brutal for me currently
My cholesterol was 7. I feel very lucky in that I passed out whilst recovering from exertion. Anywhere else on the circuit would have hurt especially if descending
Fainting is a red flag so that ensured I got admitted to hospital
I feel it’s always a good idea to ride with chums, mine got me home. You don’t have to be that remote during lockdown to require an air ambulance
It’s part of the territory with getting more active in your 50s. It has chastened me that being able to get up some of the worst local hills hid the fact that I had a heart problem. I had found it harder to keep up with my ride chum recently, this was probably the first unrecognised sign of problems

Yes sorry family history was asked. Nothing or lots. Mum in hospital was lbf? Two months ago but she's 78. Cousin dropped dead at 42 with a post viral complications.

50 here, BP fine, cholesterol 5.6,a bit over fat, but pretty active with usually 7-12 hours activity a week between cycling and hiking, often more in holidays . Crap family history, but I don't drink or smoke like they did.

Couple of years of tests have me with zero calcium score, but microvascular heart disease (capillaries in the heart muscle) so I get ectopic and a micro angina (achy heart not other areas). Threshold (steep climbs) will bring it on on a ride or a long sustained effort like headwind which meant I cut my solstice ride short at 115km. After a long (3-4 hours) steady ride I might feel it for a few days.

Can't tolerate any statins I've tried, even trying them alternate days. My mood gets seriously low and I'm just in an exhausted fog, so I've refused them now. Couldn't tolerate BBs either, calcium channel blockers haven't been so bad, but I still get a lower mood and tiredness . None of them actually seem to stop the micro angina. Sadly only rest seems to.

I'm in a bit of a bad space feeling that only giving up my cycling and walking is going to help. Long over due a catch up with my cardiologist due to C19, but he's not used to active people it would seem and I'm sure thought I was lying about my activities (nearly offered to show strava!)

Essentially my last advice was do what you want(no hr suggestions despite asking) , but stop if you get symptoms. Often it's the day after decent ride I get them like 80k 1200m ascent Road ride the other day which is a standard route here.

longdog's last paragraph is my experience with Dr's. Mention cycling effort and 185max HR and they raise eyebrows and give each other sideways glances, but don't offer anything like real advice.

Is it good for you, or not?

I'll keep riding. It's better than zombie-ing around full of beta blockers