Passed while running in a marathon in California with his son.

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Went like a f'n boss.

Running a damn marathon at 53.

Respect.

The bourbon and cigar crowd just don't get it

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What a tragedy

Thoughts & prayers, he was out there doing what he loved with his son.

Great father and a wonderful family. Hate this for them, especially this time of year. Thoughts and prayers. Here.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/brett-shirk-12122674

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Half Ironman. Possibly this:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ironman_70.3

PSA: consult with your primary care physician before changing exercise regimens especially if over 35. You should be direct and honest in all symptoms so the PCP can plan involvement with specialists.

I'm not assuming anything about this family's situation. Just have had a year of health challenges and recognize how I can do a better job of communicating with my medical team. Survived it, but for the sake of your spouses and offspring don't be like me.

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Lots of people can be physically fit but have heart attacks in their 40s and 50's so getting checkups is important

Here. May His Memory be Eternal

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FWIW, I asked my doctor how I could avoid being the guy who just got a clean bill of health at his physical and then dies on a treadmill a week later, as I have known more than one person like this.

He told me to get a cardiac calcium scan. It takes about 5 minutes. Mine cost me $200. You get a score from 0-100.

When he got his, the told him he was very close to having an aortic bisection and rushed him into surgery. He says it saved his life. I encourage every middle-aged man I know to do this.

Its Texas Aggies, dammit said:

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Here.

FWIW, I asked my doctor how I could avoid being the guy who just got a clean bill of health at his physical and then dies on a treadmill a week later, as I have known more than one person like this.

He told me to get a cardiac calcium scan. It takes about 5 minutes. Mine cost me $200. You get a score from 0-100.

When he got his, the told him he was very close to having an aortic bisection and rushed him into surgery. He says it saved his life. I encourage every middle-aged man I know to do this.

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I second the cardiac calcium scan. Had my done about a month ago. In regards to endurance races at an older age - I see people in their 60/70s/80s doing marathons all the time. I'm 52 and completed the Pikes Peak Double (Ascent/Half Marathon on Day 1 and Marathon on Day 2). Second time I've done it. A lot of endurance runners/athletes don't peak until they reach their 40s...just saying.

Say no to Covid booster jab

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Way to represent us olds.

May God rest his soul and provide comfort to those impacted.

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MosesHallDeadPot94 said:

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Its Texas Aggies, dammit said:

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Here.

FWIW, I asked my doctor how I could avoid being the guy who just got a clean bill of health at his physical and then dies on a treadmill a week later, as I have known more than one person like this.

He told me to get a cardiac calcium scan. It takes about 5 minutes. Mine cost me $200. You get a score from 0-100.

When he got his, the told him he was very close to having an aortic bisection and rushed him into surgery. He says it saved his life. I encourage every middle-aged man I know to do this.

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I second the cardiac calcium scan. Had my done about a month ago. In regards to endurance races at an older age - I see people in their 60/70s/80s doing marathons all the time. I'm 52 and completed the Pikes Peak Double (Ascent/Half Marathon on Day 1 and Marathon on Day 2). Second time I've done it. A lot of endurance runners/athletes don't peak until they reach their 40s...just saying.

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The calcium scan isn't honestly that great. It gives some people a false sense of security. It only detects calcified plaques, but not other flow limiting lesions. Nor will it necessarily detect abnormal anatomy.

It's not a bad test, when used in the right context. Talk to your doctor about it. I know some are sold on it being a great risk stratification tool, some aren't. I'm not particularly sold on it.

ZapAg82 said:

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Say no to Covid booster jab

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Or just never get a covid shot like many of us

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Worked with Brett for about a year. Sad to hear this news.

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Its Texas Aggies, dammit said:

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Here.

FWIW, I asked my doctor how I could avoid being the guy who just got a clean bill of health at his physical and then dies on a treadmill a week later, as I have known more than one person like this.

He told me to get a cardiac calcium scan. It takes about 5 minutes. Mine cost me $200. You get a score from 0-100.

When he got his, the told him he was very close to having an aortic bisection and rushed him into surgery. He says it saved his life. I encourage every middle-aged man I know to do this.

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Yep, I recommend getting your calcium checked as soon as you hit 50. Had a buddy who felt fine but fortunately got a calcium score and had something like 90% blockage, and at 51 got 5 bypasses and is here to tell the story today.

Mine was a score of 0 but sadly they identified an aneurism in my ascending aorta. Aggie football related because I blame them.

Class of '94 here.

I finally broke 4 hours at age 50, and have now switched to sprinitng.

Its Texas Aggies, dammit said:

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Here.

FWIW, I asked my doctor how I could avoid being the guy who just got a clean bill of health at his physical and then dies on a treadmill a week later, as I have known more than one person like this.

He told me to get a cardiac calcium scan. It takes about 5 minutes. Mine cost me $200. You get a score from 0-100.

When he got his, the told him he was very close to having an aortic bisection and rushed him into surgery. He says it saved his life. I encourage every middle-aged man I know to do this.

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And the scan takes all of five minutes. Easiest medical procedure I've ever done.

It revealed a very minor aortic aneurism which I'm now monitoring. I asked my doctor how I got it and he indicated a likely possibility was my refusal to take recommended blood pressure medicine. I am NOT a pill taker.

My BP was borderline for years. Doc would always recommend a low dose and I refused. "I'll exercise." "I'll lose weight."

Well, one day my BP was a bit worse. Again, he pushed for medicine and I refused. He made a deal with me that I get a calcium scan. If the results show anything, I had to go on medication. I agreed.

Found the aneurism. I take a very low dose of medicine and all has been fine since although I still have the aneurism.

The Best, The Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 1994!

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