Post Aortic valve replacement. Are roller coasters safe to ride?

[Bonnie Kieda]

Hi, I am Bonnie.
I am asking a question because of a concern about my son. He had an aortic valve replacement & an aneurysm repair over a year ago performed by open heart surgery His health checkups are all fine & he works out at the gym every single day. He wants to go to Cedar Point & ride the biggest roller coasters. I am very worried. Is it dangerous if there is a large g-force on his body?

 

[pellicle]

Hi and welcome

should be fine ... the G-s aren't much, but really, your surgeon is the best and most reliable person to send this as a letter to because only they know the actual condition of the organ.

 

[Bonnie Kieda]

Hi and welcome

should be fine ... the G-s aren't much, but really, your surgeon is the best and most reliable person to send this as a letter to because only they know the actual condition of the organ.

Thank you! I know that's the best solution. I hope he will get intouch with the Dr tomorrow because he already purchased the tickets for Tuesday.

 

[pellicle]

Thank you! I know that's the best solution. I hope he will get intouch with the Dr tomorrow because he already purchased the tickets for Tuesday.

Speaking for myself i would do it and consider being older more dangerous than younger.

I didn't see his age mentioned. I had my first heart surgery at 10 and saw no shortage of Carnival rides, motorcross, trail riding and general activities.

At 60 I'm still behaving the same...

 

[Superman]

I went to Cedar Point many times pre and post AVR in my teens and 20’s. Rode all the big rides. Lived to tell about it.

As I remind people, statistically speaking, they’re likely in far greater danger of bad things happening on the drive to the park than at the park itself. Especially driving home exhausted at the end of the day with all those other tired drivers.

 

[Quarry1]

Hi and welcome

should be fine ... the G-s aren't much, but really, your surgeon is the best and most reliable person to send this as a letter to because only they know the actual condition of the organ.

Hi, I am Bonnie.
I am asking a question because of a concern about my son. He had an aortic valve replacement & an aneurysm repair over a year ago performed by open heart surgery His health checkups are all fine & he works out at the gym every single day. He wants to go to Cedar Point & ride the biggest roller coasters. I am very worried. Is it dangerous if there is a large g-force on his body?

 

[annie]

Hi, I am Bonnie.
I am asking a question because of a concern about my son. He had an aortic valve replacement & an aneurysm repair over a year ago performed by open heart surgery His health checkups are all fine & he works out at the gym every single day. He wants to go to Cedar Point & ride the biggest roller coasters. I am very worried. Is it dangerous if there is a large g-force on his body?

I have a mechanical aortic valve and a replaced aneurysm...and I also love roller coasters! I have had no problems whatsoever from riding them.

 

[Quarry1]

After an AVR 7 yrs ago I asked my FAA doc about doing aerobatics. While I can't remember exactly what he said, I do recall he warned me of not pulling more than 3 or 4 Gs . Anything more there may be a slight chance of a tear especially in the first year or so. He should be fine but I would ask the operators of the ride about the G's

 

[Bonnie Kieda]

Speaking for myself i would do it and consider being older more dangerous than younger.

I didn't see his age mentioned. I had my first heart surgery at 10 and saw no shortage of Carnival rides, motorcross, trail riding and general activities.

At 60 I'm still behaving the same...

Thank you, Chuck! I'm so happy to know that you seem to be doing very well & still enjoying all that you love!!!! That's a comfort.

My son is 50. He's always been very active & doesn't want to stop now. I just remember how traumatic it was learning about the condition he had which was found by accident & the urgent need for such a surgery & then recovering from it.
My fear is that the new aortic valve might blow out or start to become unattached & leak from the g-force of the newest crazy roller coasters at Cedar Point.

Speaking for myself i would do it and consider being older more dangerous than younger.

I didn't see his age mentioned. I had my first heart surgery at 10 and saw no shortage of Carnival rides, motorcross, trail riding and general activities.

At 60 I'm still behaving the same...

 

[Bonnie Kieda]

I went to Cedar Point many times pre and post AVR in my teens and 20’s. Rode all the big rides. Lived to tell about it.

As I remind people, statistically speaking, they’re likely in far greater danger of bad things happening on the drive to the park than at the park itself. Especially driving home exhausted at the end of the day with all those other tired drivers.

Thank you Superman! I appreciate knowing you didn't have issues riding the amusement rides.

That's a very good point about the 2 1/2 hour drive home. I was only thinking about the new valve becoming unattached & starting to leak.

 

[Bonnie Kieda]

Hi and welcome

should be fine ... the G-s aren't much, but really, your surgeon is the best and most reliable person to send this as a letter to because only they know the actual condition of the organ.

 

[Bonnie Kieda]

I have a mechanical aortic valve and a replaced aneurysm...and I also love roller coasters! I have had no problems whatsoever from riding them.

Thank you Annie! It's very comforting to know that you've been able to enjoy roller coasters without damage to your valve. I had a vision of the valve starting to become unattached from the g-force on the body. The new roller coaster at Cedar Point is ultra extreme. Perhaps you might enjoy going on that, one day.

 

[Bonnie Kieda]

After an AVR 7 yrs ago I asked my FAA doc about doing aerobatics. While I can't remember exactly what he said, I do recall he warned me of not pulling more than 3 or 4 Gs . Anything more there may be a slight chance of a tear especially in the first year or so. He should be fine but I would ask the operators of the ride about the G's

Thank you for your reply, Quarry. That's a very good idea about asking the ride operators. I'm sure that they are trained in the medical risks of riding the newest ultimate roller coaster at Cedar Point. It must be very extreme because there are many strict rules online that must be followed if you decide to ride it.

 

[pellicle]

I'm sure that they are trained in the medical risks of riding the newest ultimate roller coaster at Cedar Point.

when I was doing my undergrad I worked at a "theme park" with a roller coaster and a plethora of rides, so I can assure you that they not only are not trained in that risk set but are just young people doing some job to make money. Friendly but in the main not even remotely medical.

What they will be trained in is to minimise risk to the Park, so if you ask the answer will be no.

 

[pellicle]

My son is 50

right, I had no idea, could have been 10

if he's active then there should be no problem.

 

[Bonnie Kieda]

when I was doing my undergrad I worked at a "theme park" with a roller coaster and a plethora of rides, so I can assure you that they not only are not trained in that risk set but are just young people doing some job to make money. Friendly but in the main not even remotely medical.

What they will be trained in is to minimise risk to the Park, so if you ask the answer will be no.

You definitely have a point. There are so many rules online that must be followed in order to ride that new coaster. That's when I started wondering what an insane ride like that, does to the human body.
I had a vision of the aortic valve replacement
being pulled out of place.

 

[Bonnie Kieda]

I have a mechanical aortic valve and a replaced aneurysm...and I also love roller coasters! I have had no problems whatsoever from riding them.

Annie, I appreciate that information. I was very worried after reading about that crazy new roller coaster at Cedar Point. There are so many rules that must be followed in order to ride that coaster. You'd probably enjoy it since you like coasters.
My son is going to ride it tomorrow & he can't wait. It makes me nervous thinking about what effect a ride like that has on the human body.

Hopefully I'll be able to post a good update.

 

[Bonnie Kieda]

right, I had no idea, could have been 10

if he's active then there should be no problem.

My son is riding that big coaster tomorrow. I'll post an update. Hopefully it will be a good one.

 

[pellicle]

I had a vision of the aortic valve replacement
being pulled out of place.

if such was the case tripping over or a car accident would be a death sentence.

it isn't.

I've had car accidents where I broke ribs on the seatbelt; not in some time, but after my first and second surgeries

 

[Bonnie Kieda]

if such was the case tripping over or a car accident would be a death sentence.

it isn't.

I've had car accidents where I broke ribs on the seatbelt; not in some time, but after my first and second surgeries

Thanks Pellicle, I must be an over thinker. Yikes, seems like you live on the wild side. Ouch! Broken ribs hurt!