Amusement park rides

[thecman321]

Does anyone have any experience with any known restrictions to non extreme amusement park rides at places such as Disney with patients with mechanical aortic valves and who are otherwise normal.



thanks

c

 

[Hank]

I'm a rider

I'm a rider

I have ridden a few. Including a few extreme ones. Still clicking.

I don't know if it is the smartest thing to do, but it sure was fun..

 

[Marguerite53]

Personally I would never risk the health of my new valve to go on a ride like that. They have been suspected to cause neurological damage and persistent headaches, also. Might want to google on roller coaster dangers, etc.. I'd consult her cardiologist and/or surgeon, too.

Marguerite

 

[geebee]

I've been on a few that had warnings but not on ones like "Mission to Mars" (which I would love to go on but not willing to take a chance) or "Tower of Terror" (that elevator drop ride). I have been on a lot of the simulator rides and a few scary roller coasters without problems. I guess it just really depends on how much you want to go on them versus your williness to take the chance. I refuse to spend my life totally limited but I do try to use some discretion.

Your cardio is probably the best source for your personal limitations.

 

[WayneGM]

Originally Posted by rckrzy1
I just rode my speed triple motorcycle to work

Way to go Adam!!! Congratulations!!!!

 

[901]

I have rode all of the big coasters at Cedar Point since my surgery at just over a year out. Even rode the Millenium and Raptor 3 times each! There are warnings on all the coaster rides about people with heart conditions are recommended not to ride.
There is nothing like the front seat on the Millenium or the Raptor! Also tried the Top Thrill Dragster. It isn't as much of a thrill as the other two. Max speed is 100mph+ but the whole ride lasts about 40 seconds.

The biggest problem was getting into the seat of the Millenium. They have a max height and weight limit and I'm right there.

Looking forward to doing it again this Summer. Woo, Hoo!

 

[StretchL]

I'm going to hit the coasters this summer too. Heck my lifestyle is why I got the Ross in the first place.

Myself!

I haven't been on one in years, but I might make a trip up to Kings Dominion just to test the valve!

After I consult with Dr. Stelzer first, of course.

 

[Lotti]

Rolling along Coasting along

Rolling along Coasting along

I have been on a few of the milder ones...Vampire.....Dragons Lair, and got info on WHY cant we ride. Apparently the stresses can cause arrythmia, which of course is not good.
The solution...Do as I have done...Have a pacemaker!!!
Only kidding. I do have a PM, but do not ride anything that catches my breath too much.

Lotti

 

[tommy]

Post AVR, I've ridden most of the rough and fast coasters in several theme parks. Absolutely thrilling! My cardio is not concerned.

While my kids were in middle school and high school, I eagerly volunteered to chaperon the field trips. Somebody has to do it.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I've ridden coaster at the now defunct Six Flags Astroworld, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World San Antonio and all the DisneyWorld parks, including Rock n' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. I also rode many roller coasters before valve replacement. I didn't figure that warning applied to me - just to the out of shape old people with heart problems! I also just got back from skiing, which I've done twice since surgery and have been on several waterpark rides. It's all good!

I got this valve so I could lead a normal life. Otherwise, I could have kept the old model!

 

[Sir Reel]

You should ask your cardiologist about any ride that increases blood pressure as that is what seems to cause the most concern. You also might check about anything with violent movements.

I am all for living life to the fullest, but you may not want to be going into an operating room again thinking you were the cause of the callback (or worse, not making it to the operating room). Remember, the scar tissue where things are fused back together likely isn't as strong as the original. I have a friend who was hit by a car a while back and found out that a muscle that was surgically cut and repaired 20 or 30 years ago ripped at the scar tissue.

Having said all that, a woman with a heart transplant was recently in the news as regularly engaging in severe mountain climbing.

It may also depend on whether you have kids or other dependents. It is one thing to throw your own life away but it is another to deprive a kid of a parent in exchange for a few thrill rides.

 

[Turkey Hunter]

I have ridden a few. Including a few extreme ones. Still clicking.

I don't know if it is the smartest thing to do, but it sure was fun..

Unlike Hank; I made the "I'm getting too old for these and it probablyt isn't a good idea" decision.
I havn't missed 'em any really.
Honestly, It didn't seem to be a bright idea to ride these rides with TWO valves SEWN, not grown, into place.

 

[jane v]

amusement rides

amusement rides

Hi,
I too questioned the heart warnings. I was 3 months out from valve replacement and rode all the roller coasters and water rides at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana last summer. The hardest part was walking up the steps of the water rides. It was then that I questioned myself. I took my surgeon's word as he had said"you have no restrictions,this is a second chance, go out and live your life." Of course, that was me, you may want to check with your cardiologist or beg for forgiveness later...Have fun whatever you do.
jane v

 

[Sir Reel]

Does not the tissue grow together ?

It does to some extent, and I think it is seared or glued (nontechnical terms) together somehow rather than actually sewn. My surgeon said there was a division in the medical community regarding whether boosting your blood pressure can cause it to work loose (hence the common restriction on lifting weights; blood pressure is increased by high Gs as well). It stands to reason that the joint is not as strong as the original given the replacement is not the same as the original tissue.

The question becomes how much risk do you want to take of causing the early need for another surgery (or worse, doing yourself in)? You were given a new lease on life with relatively few restrictions (don't life very much weight, don't do other things to raise your blood pressure, don't otherwise shock your heart). Use it to its fullest, but not unwisely.