Let's Be Careful Out There, Especially With Our Hearts

The recent passing of teammate and friend Marc Dunmire is another running mate I have lost to heart disease.  I know many more with problems ranging from V-fib to valve replacements  Two others died after the swim portion of triathlons.  Each day since Larry Mangan called with the news of Marc's loss, I have remembered something from our times together.  It saddens me  immensely even with other things in my life vying for prominence in my thoughts.  I have heard from more than a handful of running friends about their various experiences.  I figured I might as well try to do something positive in the event there are others out there with similar thoughts.

In those olden days of 100 mile weeks, Mountain Runs and workouts to exhaustion, none of us felt vulnerable to anything mere mortals were prone to.  We were exempt from such mundane things.  My 118 pound frame had no fear in my Junior year when I was in the best shape of my life.  But I was wrong. Just as every other one of us was wrong.  Congenital heart defects put an end to my competitions the very next year. (I'm fine BTW!) There are heart risks, vulnerabilities and chances of disaster even among the elite of the elite in the running class.  Some of them are even more prevalent in runners than in the "normal" population.  And no one can deny their genetics.  It's there no matter what you do or say.  Things can help reduce the risks, but nothing will eliminate them.

Heart Problems in Runners:

• Increased arterial plaques in marathon runners vs. the sedentary
• "Athlete's Heart", exercise-induced cardiomegaly, can hide serious heart conditions.

The following lists are all from WebMD: 

Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, or chest pain. Angina can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest. It can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Angina may also be felt in the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back.

Other symptoms of coronary artery disease include:

• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations (irregular heart beats, or a "flip-flop" feeling in your chest)
• A faster heartbeat
• Weakness or dizziness
• Nausea
• Sweating

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

• Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone
• Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm
• Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)
• Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
• Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath
• Rapid or irregular heartbeats

Symptoms of Arrhythmias

When symptoms of arrhythmias, or an abnormal heart rhythm, are present, they may include:

• Palpitations (a feeling of skipped heart beats, fluttering or "flip-flops" in your chest)
• Pounding in your chest
• Dizziness or feeling light-headed
• Fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Weakness or fatigue (feeling very tired)

The most common form of sudden death in runners is from Cardiac Arrest, an arrhythmia or stopping of the heart Which can be helped!  

Larry Mangan and Mark Hawkins attended the memorial service for Marc in Houston along with Greg McKelvey (a golf-pro who is always invited to our annual tourney!).  The four of them were the best of friends.

"I tried to post to the blog via cell, but couldn't.  Mark Hawkins, Greg McKelvey and I went to a very well attended remembrance service for Marc.  The four of us attended a PSU (football) game for nearly 30 straight years.  Marc was one of a kind and was like a brother to us.  It was an honor to spend time with his family and friends and we shared many great stories.  He was well loved and will be sorely missed by all."

-Larry Mangan, June 1, 2015.