Two years ago I suffered from an ischemic event (i.e. stroke) localized in my left eye leaving a large band in that retina inoperative. Following a battery a tests and hospital visits with a number of specialists the underlying pathology of the event could not be traced. In the end little could be done for the loss of vision and little could be said about preventing another stroke. My hematologist put me on one baby aspirin a day and said good luck. Since then I have been trying to take better care of myself, exercise, etc. and started with the StrongLifts 5x5 (I’d never touched a weight in my life), eventually moving to Starting Strength and put on 30 lbs.
Following a non-training related back injury I’ve progressed slowly, but every time I squat or pull hard the thought of another blockage or hemorrhage creeps into the back of my mind. At the same time I’m under the impression from the literature (to which my general feeling/experience coincides) is that strength training produces adaptations across the biological ecosystem–including capillary strength, heart, etc.
I know its a long shot that anyone has any experience with this as my doctors have been completely stumped, but I can’t think of a better place to ask. Do you think strength training is helping? hurting? Any thoughts are appreciated.
Age 36
Height 6’
Weight 190lbs
Squat 235 5RM
DL 275 5RM
Press 115 5RM