[Paddlewise] Hearts and health

Mike,
You said (snip):

>If you are one who's family history/genetics pretty much predicts the
>inevitability of heart problems as you age, being fit will make you
>better prepared to deal with the consequences.

I know my cardiovascular surgeon told me the night before surgery he 
appreciated me showing up for surgery is such good shape ((I was cycling, 
etc., right up until I was too light-headed two months prior to the 
surgery). Of course, as I looked around the heart ward, it wasn't too hard 
to be regarded as in relatively good shape. :-)

At some point I'd like to get a lighter kayak for racing/fitness paddling. 
Depends on shoulder issues and post-surgery cardiac efficiency. I think 
non-recreational, fitness paddling can be part of excellent 
cardio-respiratory and cardiovascular health program. I've lost thirty 
pounds already and intend to enter a new chapter of my life, emphasizing 
aerobic fitness over anaerobic. I realize that physical fitness is usually a 
compromise of the above two, including endurance, toughness, strength, 
speed, etc., but I see myself with a lot less body mass. I don't seem to go 
for out-of-boat swims as much anymore, so should be okay. I do notice I'm a 
lot colder at a lower body weight though, as I walk my way back to good 
health (even using a Doug Lloyd tether to attach my dog to my waist, as the 
dog leash is still too hard to hold onto pulling on the mending breastbone).

My heart situation is pretty much familial and congenital with respect to 
progressive heart disease. Dad died at 46. I hit 49 yesterday. And one is 
never too old to get in shape.

Also, wanted to let you know I'm starting to feel a bit better today for the 
fist time since pre-surgery sickness and post-surgery recovery. It has been 
two weeks now. I dreamt last night I was paddling with a Freya Hoffmeister 
dark-haired beauty look-alike down a deep, dark fiord in an new 
experimental, yet-to-be-released black carbon-fiber kayak by In-Uit. Didn't 
reveal my dark-sided dream to my wife, though.

Was reading about Freya in Sea Kayaker's excellent profile recently. Good 
dream fuel, as I call it. :-)

You wouldn't believe how much I dream (literally) about rough water 
kayaking - most weeks of the year. I wake up in a sweat some nights (from 
the rough water part, okay). Lying around on a tropical beach - never.

Darn fine kayaking to you.

Doug Lloyd 
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