Almost 2 weeks ago I went to go on an early morning hill training session with a mate. I'm signed up for a 100 mile sportive in the Lake District next week, and am not great at hills so needed to do as much as possible.
I do a lot of riding, including hills, and that week had clocked up about 120 miles in commuting and one other (very hilly) ride. Had no problems at all, felt like I was getting fitter, was starting to really enjoy (most of) the hills, and was getting fairly quick.
Got up on the Saturday, felt fine, usual really. Had some porridge for breakfast, drove to my mates house, and set off on our bikes. However, we climbed the first hill after less than 1/2 mile (out of Cotgrave in Nottinghamshire, a hill that the Tour of Britain went up last week), and found it took a lot more out of me than usual. I was out of breath, which is usual, but also got a pain in the middle of my chest, just above the stomach. I assumed it was asthma, or bad indigestion/stitch, so carried on riding. Got a few miles down the road and just could not catch my breath, despite using my inhaler, and still had this pain. I shouted to my mate to pull over so I could see if I could catch my breath and get rid of the pain. It worked, and we set off again, but the pain and breathlessness soon returned. I did consider at times whether it might be my heart, but the pain wasn't radiating, and I wasn't sweating (no more than usual), it just felt like a cramp I've had in my stomach a few times when riding but one which wouldn't go away.
We ended up cutting the ride short, though still did 42 miles (very stupid). I got back to my mates, and sat and started watching the football. However, part way through the first half I started feeling ill again, the pain had returned (though not as bad), I felt really uncomfortable, and it had started to move into my throat. I tossed a virtual coin in my head - tell my mate to call 999, or go home and see if it got better. Chose the wrong option again, went home, grabbing some Gaviscon tablets on the way, and it seemed to clear up. Felt fine for the rest of the weekend, but made an appointment at my doctors Monday afternoon just to be checked out - especially with the Lakes ride coming up.
My doctor took one look at my blood pressure (180/something) and sent me to the local hospital, where I have spent the last week. Had an Angiogram on Monday this week, and a stent was inserted into a narrowed artery. It would appear I did in fact ride 42 miles whilst having a heart/angina attack, managing several PR's up hills somehow. Very, very stupid, I ignored all the advice that said "if you get chest pains, don't feel stupid about dialling 999", and just carried on riding thinking it would go at some point.
I'm now back at home and can't wait to get back on the bike, though a walk to the school and back to get the kids (a few hundred yards) takes it out of me at the moment so I won't be doing it just yet.
But I'm just wondering if anyone here has had a similar experience, and how they went about getting back on the bike. Obviously I won't be doing the Lakes ride next Saturday
However, I'm assuming I'll need to start steady without hills. If you have been through this experience, how long did it take to get back into normal riding (so 30+ miles with hills) (though I'm aware it might differ depending on the situation). I'm delighted to have come out of hospital having lost 1/2 stone in a week - I want to keep this going as I had started dieting properly in the weeks leading up to this episode in an attempt to lose several stone. But I also don't want to push it too soon.
I'd appreciate any advice.
It will take me a while to get there, but I am losing weight faster now than I was when I was cycling, so if it takes me a few months that will be a good rest from the bike, and also a great incentive to get me back to fitness