Bike 100 Miles for American Heart Association

I'm biking 100 miles in June to help the American Heart Association fight for a world of longer, healthier lives. This is a very meaningful cause for me. Please consider making a donation because every little bit helps. Thank you for your support!I would like to add my story with heart disease. It was three years ago this May experienced what heart disease is all about. I am an avid cyclist. I raced Masters category road races and criteriums while in my late 30’s to 50 years old. Was 66 when came face to face with this disease. My work kept me traveling in the southeast but I would bring my bike and stationary trainer with me. When I was home on the weekends I would join in on local group rides that averaged 50 plus miles. After a couple rides during the weekend I woke up on Monday morning for the drive to Tennessee and just didn’t feel right. I delayed my drive by an hour, felt better and off to work. The next morning, in the hotel room I got on my bike for a few minutes and once again didn’t feel right. I got off the bike and sat on the edge of the bed and continued to feel worse. 30 minutes later I was experiencing shortness of breath and felt bad. It was very early and didn’t want to wake my coworkers so I drove myself to the local hospital emergency room in Columbia TN. Within minutes I was whisked into the ER for evaluation. After a morning of blood  tests, stress test with ultrasound it was determined there was no heart attack a heart catheter was scheduled for the next morning. After the catheterization the cardiologist  found one artery 90% blocked and another 70% blocked and a third at 50%. He put stents in the first two and decided to monitor the third. The procedure was successful and I was discharged the next day. The post proceedure visit with the cardiologist was very enlightening. He said most likely the reason I did not have a massive heart attack was my fitness from cycling! So, here I am three years later still riding and feeling great with no issues with my heart. I have to give a should out to all the wonderful staff at Maury Regional Hospital for the over to top care I was given during my two day stay. Thank you everyone from my newly repaired heart!

Seeing this challenge on Instagram it went straight to my heart!❤️ I am going to do this 100 miles and many more during the month of June. The research and technology funded by theAmerican Heart Association probably saved my life. My success story and many more like mine are out there. With the dollars we can raise the AHA will  to continue to do great work. THANK YOU FROM MY HEART!♥️ I look forward seeing everyone’s visit to my post

Thanks

Mike Rudkin