Man powers through Dipsea Race with 'acid reflux,' discovers he was actually having a heart attack
A year or two ago, some friends and I went out for Chicago deep-dish pizza. Later that night, a pain like I'd never felt ripped through my chest, prompting me to proclaim that I was having a heart attack. A buddy of mine rolled his eyes, handed me a few Tums, and said, "Guess you're not a teenager anymore."
On the other end of the tough spectrum is the awesomely named Wolfgang Zech, who raced his 44th consecutive Dipsea Race on June 8 in California, only to discover hours later that he had suffered a heart attack during the 7.5-mile run.
Zech, 72, noticed a sharp pain in his chest before the race even began, but the runner chalked it up to acid reflux and powered through.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"My chest was really, really aching and I basically couldn't run for nearly three-quarters of the race until I reached the point called Cardiac Hill," Zech told The San Francisco Chronicle. "Cardiac Hill has a whole other meaning to me now."
While Zech's time was about 30 minutes slower than he usually runs the steep, technical course, he finished the race as usual, popped a few Tums, and headed home with his wife. When he still did not feel better that night, his wife convinced him to head for the hospital, where doctors said 95 percent of a coronary artery was blocked, and performed an angioplasty.
The episode doesn't seem to have slowed Zech down too much, though. He said he would compete in his 45th consecutive Dipsea Race in 2015, "unless I've grown two wings and am on Cloud 9."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
-
Harriet Tubman made a general 161 years after raid
Speed Read She was the first woman to oversee an American military action during a time of war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Chappell Roan is a new kind of boundary-setting celebrity
In the Spotlight She's calling out fans and the media for invasive behavior
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Saudi crown prince slams Israeli 'genocide' in Gaza
Speed Read Mohammed bin Salman has condemned Israel’s actions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published