Heart Patients Complete 100 Mile Cycle Challenge
Wigwam® Holidays is currently running a campaign called At Home, Outdoors – a video series telling stories that showcase extraordinary connections with the great outdoors.
The latest episode; Electric Cranks, features an inspiring group of heart and lung transplant patients from Wythenshawe Hospital who use electric bikes to aid their recovery and well-being.
In June, the cycling group rode 100 miles along Hadrian’s Wall, from Bowness-on-Solway to South Shields in order to further pioneer the effectiveness of the LVAD and raise awareness of those living with an LVAD and severe heart failure.
The riders are themselves ‘e-humans’ with Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) – mechanical heart pumps powered by large external batteries – fitted and connected via an abdominal driveline. LVADs are used to treat heart failure in patients who are not responding well to other treatments, such as medication and lifestyle changes.
Dr Steven Shaw, Consultant Cardiologist, said “These are patients whose hearts had completely failed, and they were at the point of imminent death. It’s just wonderful to see how much of a restoration of life this treatment was able to give.”
Bob Gower, a member of the Cranks, was desperately trying to find ways of getting back into cycling after his LVAD operation.
He first tried on his old bike with no battery assistance and struggled to travel further than a mile. He then got himself an electric bike and the world opened up to him again.
He and another patient spent the next few months encouraging other patients with a post op heart to join them and the cycling club grew from there.
E-cycling is a great form of exercise for LVAD patients. Regular sessions can help to improve the overall health of the heart and lungs and the continuous movement of cycling helps to strengthen the heart muscles and improve its ability to pump blood around the body.
Not to mention the ample mental health benefits from being connected to nature in the great outdoors.
Cycling alongside Hadrian’s Wall is a fantastic exploration into Britain’s past. As well as magnificent coastal views and breathtaking countryside, the route passes the famous wall itself, Roman forts and museums, quaint villages and charming market towns.
Throughout the duration of their ride, the inspiring cyclists chose to stay at Herding Hill Farm camping and glamping site as they loved the idea of camping, but wanted to have access to great washing facilities and power to charge their electric bikes and LVADs.
The home comforts of their cosy Wigwam cabins suited the members of the Electric Cranks who had less experience with camping.
Thankfully, the 100-mile cycle challenge was a huge success.
The group smashed their fundraising target and reached South Shields to dip their front wheels in the North Sea and complete their epic Hadrian’s Wall Coast to Coast ride!
Well done Cranks, a great achievement!
I have AF and stage 4 heart failure, I’m under the care of Professor Clarke at Castlehill Hospital in Cottingham.
He has talked about a pacemaker but it would have to be the bigger one.
My mobility is very poor due to breathlessness, I also have kidney issues.
Having watched ITV news I saw the report on these electric devices. This is the first time I have seen them and would like to know how I would go about asking for one. This would go a long way to giving me my life back as at the moment I don’t have one.
Kind regards, Phil Fussey