More about the "Athlete Heart"

Press release:

Triathlete fiance of Hewitt suffers heart attack

French triathlete Laurent Vidal, fiance of Kiwi competitor Andrea Hewitt, is in hospital after suffering a heart attack during training.

Vidal felt chest pain during swimming training before suffering from cardiac arrest.

He was revived after a few minutes and regained consciousness before being flown to a Montpellier hospital.

He is in an induced coma for at least 48 hours.

Hewitt said she was "shocked and so worried", in a tweet posted this morning.

Vidal was sixth at the ITU World Series grand final in London last year and finished 10th in New Plymouth last month.

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Gary:

While we do not know the exact circumstances of Laurent Vidal's health problems and my wishes go out to him and his family for a speedy and full recovery, this unfortunate incident further highlights the growing evidence that intense and exhausting exercise may be more damaging to the heart than it is protective. 

 I was deeply saddened, just the other day, when I learned that one of New Zealand's best junior and interprovincial runners of 30 or so years ago, Gary Weston-Webb, died suddenly while at his desk just a few weeks ago.  I was in awe of Gary's running ability when I shifted to Wellington from Dunedin; but I wonder if he ever really noticed me because, when the start gun fired, he was off like a greyhound with me and most of the field left behind eating his dust! Gary is just a few months older than me, which is unsettling.  Again, I do not know much at all about his health; however, his untimely passing further underlines the fact that exercise does not necessarily give one immunity from heart problems.  Too many talented runners and multi-sports athletes who once kicked my butt with great ease are, sadly, no longer with us.  Dr O'Keefe and Co appear to be right: Extreme exercise damages the heart.

Should we all stop doing extreme exercise, like discourage everyone from running or cycling etc more than three times a week and for less than an hour at a time?  My answer to that question is a qualified "No!"

Here is a moving tribute to Gary.  My heartfelt condolences to his family for their terrible loss.

Nutritional balancing: The key to a healthy heart - regardless of age

The good news is that there is a lot that one can do to protect one's heart from harm - be that from lack of exercise, stress, medication, a sugar-laden-nutrient poor diet, or excessive exercise.  The key comes down to getting the right balance between intensity, rest and relaxation - and being completely obsessive about nutritional balancing.  By the way, this does not mean following the food pyramid:  It means testing yourself to identify your nutrient imbalances.  For example: How do you know if you really need more iodine or more magnesium?  Have you ever had these tested?  There are accurate tests available now which can tell you what you need to take - and what not to take. 

Hair Tissue Analysis showing excess calcium relative to magnesium

If, for example; you are magnesium deficient (80% of us are) and, if - at the same time - you have an excessive calcium intake relative to magnesium, it is inevitable that there will be the precipitation of calcium into the soft tissues, including the lining of the arteries (arteriosclerosis).  By the way, a tell-tale sign of this process is red cheeks during exercise and, later in life, spider veins on the cheeks.

Reverse Arteriosclerosis

The good news about arteriosclerosis - the process of gradually turning to stone - is that it can be reversed: Arteriosclerosis may be intimately linked to getting old, but it ain't really.  However; reversing arteriosclerosis is not easily achieved.  It takes an obsessive devotion to lifestyle changes for the rest of your life and the daily use of dietary supplements to correct nutrient imbalances as identified by nutrient testing.

Protect your heart - Start by getting rid of the guessing!

More reading

I am an obsessive exerciser: At 60 years old I completed 60 km of mountain biking yesterday then another 30 km to the top of Makara Peak and back this morning, followed by a short run.  In a week I'll be competing in the Crazyman Duathlon which is 30 km mountain bike followed by 13 km running - all over the most challenging terrain imaginable.  Of course, I'll be fighting to win my category.  This is all in preparation for the World Mountain Bike Championships in Norway in August this year.  It is my intention to win the 60+ age group.   I reckon I am in with a chance because as one gets older, winning has little to do with who was the fastest: It comes down to who is the best at managing health and injury issues.  I reckon I have those nailed.

According to Dr O'Keefe, I am damaging my heart.  I am quite confident that I am not because, if I was, I would surely be feeling a lot worse instead of feeling a lot better.  Over the last 10 years, I have taken a number of measures that protect my body from the damaging effects of extreme exercise.  It has worked and I have the evidence from the testing and from the performances on the race track.  

Now, none of this would ever have seemed even remotely possible just 10 years ago when I felt like a burned-out athlete with quickly evolving heart problems. 

Winning has little to do with who was the fastest:  It comes down to who is the best at managing health and injury issues 

If you have any concerns about your heart and health in general, but appear to be in quite good health or even excellent health, the first thing to do to is to order a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis and consultation with me, then take things from there.

Here is the link to the right packages to order:

New Zealand based clients: 

https://www.garymoller.com/product-page/htma-comprehensive-test-nz-clients-only

International clients: 

https://www.garymoller.com/product-page/htma-follow-up-test-international-clients