Cardiologist warns of heart attack risks
According to CNN, hunters stand a three-times greater chance of suffering a fatal heart attack than being killed by a gunshot injury. The report quoted Dr. Eric Good, a cardiologist at the University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor.

The adrenaline rush experienced by many deer hunters when they spot a target animal can trigger a heart attack or worsen a heart rhythm disturbance in people with an existing heart condition, Good said. He advises hunters never to hunt alone, to always carry a cellphone, to plan an exit strategy in case of a medical emergency and to stay in good shape.


Do you believe this or is it I don't know I don't deer hunt that much. Figured you guys need to read that!!!

Well I agree you should always hunt with a partner or have plan filed with someone, and always have a cell phone and one other comm device, and I always have an exit strategy for every waking moment...so....OK.

Or there is Plan 9 From Outer Space!

Just go ahead and have the Heart Attack after you tag the biggest buck in your life, and die damn happy doing something you loved and not in bed of old age pooping in a diaper and being spoon fed pablum.

I had a friend up in Pennsylvania go that way setting in his deer stand in the fall woods up there.

I was walking back to the truck tonight after the hunt and walked up on a wood thrasher that eat my arse out good and proper. If I did have a bad heart it would have failed right then.
Ever heard a ticked off wood thrasher?

In my opinion, we have so many creature comforts these days that we've totally invested in heart disease. As far as the article, yes, it's a good idea.

And another thing, when and if I ever get to the point that I don't get buck fever, I'll quit.

Hope my ticker is ok will be here at the ranch alone all week.

I hunted alone the 1st - 3rd . I checked in by phone before and after the hunt , but you have to be extra conscience in that situation.
If I did suffer the big one at the lease , me and mine would know that I went happy doing what I love .

they probably stand a better chance of being killed in a car wreck, dying of old age or cancer than guns also.....

I just hunted alone this weekend when I got my first buck. I always carry my cell phone and ALWAYS keep safety as my number one priority.

Safety Rules to live by:

1. Never load my rifle until I'm up in my stand.
2. Never shake up my beer before opening it.
3. Never take more than a 1/5th of whiskey to the stand.

kidding of course...

Here are two links I found on cnn.com. The second one is actually a quick note in the Huffington Post that cnn linked to:

CNN 1

CNN 2

Basically this says that hunters with heart disease or other risk factors stand a higher chance of having a heart attack because of the walking over rough terrain, dragging heavy carcasses long distances, etc. Doesn't really sound to me like deer hunting is the risk factor, it's physical activity, which is true for just about anything else you can name - playing basketball, horsing around with their kids, etc. People with these risk factors have to be careful in any physical activity and high stress situation (OMG look at that buck!, or I can't believe he just FUMBLED!). I do agree that hunters should be careful and have emergency plans - but that's all hunters not just those with specific health risks. Becoming a Careflight member is a great investment in my opinion, because accidents do happen as we know and minutes count.

Careflight


I know I'm overreacting to the article - I just don't like it when hunting gets a black eye when its really something else...

If it came from CNN I'm already suspicious. Just a another chance to add something negative to hunting. Of course they didn't mention something positive like venison (or moose stew) is a lot healthier for your heart then something from a fast food place.

I can agree with it to a degree. I mean thing about it. A lot of puss gutted ol boys sit behind their desks all year long, then they leave out one Friday night for the deer lease. Where they indulge in spirits, unhealthy food, and more exercise in one morning than they usually get all year. Hell yeah that's gonna be tough on the heart. Then throw a monster buck into the equation, and you have yourself a recipe for a heart-attack deluxe.


I used to hunt on a lease where they had a fella have a heart attack at camp one morning. He'd stayed in and not hunted (due to a night of heavy drinking). Upon returning to camp, his sixteen year old son found him on the porch of the cabin with his pants around his ankles, dead. Evidently he'd gone to the crapper, had a heart attack, and tried to make it back to the cabin to get his radio and call for help. But never made it back. It was a very traumatizing experience for everyone at the lease. Especially his son, who had to go down in the field to retrieve a guy to help him deal with his dad. There were Tx Ranger, Game Wardens, Sheriffs, Coroner, Paramedics, and all there. When everyone finallt left, the guys left behind to hunt just packed up and went home, on opening morning. No-one knew what was the right thing to do.

Any one at risk should heed any warning necessary. And do not ignore any potential signs. We all often hunt well away from any kind of help. So knowing you need it, and not being too brave(stupid) to let someone know is inviting death to your door.


Jay