BAV and bodybuilding

[Zamininc]

I'm currently 17 years old and I have a bicuspid aortic valve. I've known about my BAV since I was around 15. When I was 13ish I started to get really in to weightlifting and bodybuilding and in the past couple of years I've joined a gym and really started going at it. Currently taking preworkout (jekyll and hyde), creatine, and MTS whey (godly taste by the way).

My real question here is, what can I do to help postpone or prevent enlarging my aorta while still lifting heavy ass weights? No, I will not stop squatting/deadlifting heavy weights. No, I will not adhere to a weight limit. My cardiologist said I have no limitations. I have a TINY murmur that cardiologists can BARELY hear. I'd rather die than give up bodybuilding.

I know Arnold didn't have a problem with his heart until late in to his life. And he lifted heavier and harder than I probably ever will.

Sorry for the weirdly formatted post but I just got home from the gym and I'm a little tired.

So, how can I reduce the risk?

 

[ski girl]

I don't think there is much you can do to reduce the risk other than do what your cardio tells you! And if you already have no restrictions then don't worry about it.

I don't know anything about the jekyll and Hyde stuff you mentioned, but you may want to look into what's in that and make sure there's nothing that has an effect on your heart in the dose you're taking.

 

[Guyswell]

I've had a more severe experience with this disease and your questions sound a bit to me like someone with hemophilia trying to find a safe way to play with razor wire and jagged broken windows (no offense intended to ski girl or The GymGuy and their well-documented determination to live life on their own terms).

The only advice I can offer is be completely truthful with your cardiologists over the years about your activities and supplements and follow their advice. Someday, a cardiologist may very well advise that you give up the heavy weight lifting. It's a fact that your bicuspid aortic valve is only one of several related birth defects associated with a genetic abnormality in your connective tissues. Even if you haven't yet developed an aneurysm in your aorta, you are at greater risk of a rupture or dissection.

Read about John Ritter for an example of what can happen with a dissection of the aorta. Here's a link to an excellent set of guidelines... http://johnritterfoundation.org/ritter-rules/

 

[Agian]

I asked about this connective tissue thing. Apparently, the ascending aorta and aortic valve have the same embryological origin. I don't think that there is a connective tissue problem, in most of us, that affects the rest of the body. I say this because I'd read somewhere about brain aneurysms. There is an indirect association, however, between BAV and brain aneurysms: BAV is associated with coarctation of the aorta, which causes an increase in blood pressure in the upper part of the body, which obviously includes the brain. It is the increased pressure that causes the brain aneurysms.

Your BAV may never cause you any problems, but increased pressure is what can lead to dilation of you ascending aorta. So, the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to keep your BP down. Weightlifting increases BP; make of this what you will. I'm 45 and lifted from a young age. I didn't know about my BAV, so was blissfully ignorant. I've also been on BP tablets for many years. Taking Losartan may help, if you need to take a BP medication anyway. Talk to your cardiologist.

 

[Paleowoman]

I've been doing heavy weight lifting (for a woman) over the past few years - and I do mean heavy, I know I'm a woman and getting on a bit (60), but I do (did till 8 weeks ago) a weight lifting technique called Superslow high intensity and that means heavy weights, e.g., I was lifting 125 kilos (275 pounds) using a Hammerstrength leg press machine, and 200 kilos (440 pounds) using a regular leg press with weight stack machine. At my last echo the technician asked me if I did weight lifting - and when I said yes, he told me he could see from the strength of my heart muscle that I was a weight lifter. My heart muscle got really good through weight lifting ! The only restrictions I've had weight lifting are since 8 weeks when I was told to stop.

Arnold Schwartznegger had bicuspid aortic valve like me and you - the only reason he didn't know he had it when younger was that no one would have listened to his chest and heard it. My BAV was discovered when I saw a doc at 25 for a chest infection, he heard the murmur and it was investigated - if I'd never had my chest listened to no one would know even now that I have BAV since I have no symptoms…my stenosis is critical and surgery is in just over one week's time !

What does your cardiologist say ? Go by his advice - you don't want to live your whole life around this BAV if it's not necessary, and wieght lfiting is good for your health and fun ! Don't take any drugs thoough to enhance your weight lifting - that's bad for your heart etc !

 

[AZ Don]

Well generally the first recommendation to reduce risk is to avoid heavy weight lifting. Sooner or later I'm sure a Cardiologist will tell you that. Secondary things that you could consider:
Taking Losartan: http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...-the-Aorta-(Losartan-and-Marfan-s)&highlight=.
Controlling your blood pressure (you're young so probably not an issue but something to keep an eye on).
Keep your follow-up appointments! Generally those with BAV are checked every year or two to monitor the valve and the aorta.
Ensure that you use proper technique and breathing. See some suggestions here: http://voices.yahoo.com/aortic-aneurysm-safe-weight-lifting-techniques-10202915.html?cat=70
Another safe weight lifting technique for aortic aneurysm: avoid "super slow" or "negative" training. Move loads quickly to minimize time that blood pressure is high.

Best move: Convert to a 15-20 RM minimum. Dr. Stewart explains, "Reps cause failure of the muscle group more than higher weight, which necessitates recruitment of other muscles and more straining. I believe that higher reps with lesser weight is a safer option. Breathing is essential!!! Avoidance of Valsalva is important."

It's especially important for those with aortic aneurysm to exaggerate exhalation during the "positive" (concentric) portion of the lift, to prevent pressure-buildup in the thoracic cavity. Inhale very deeply during the "negative" or release portion.

 

[Midpack]

BAV and bodybuilding

Bodybuilding?
Are you meaning wearing thongs, oiling your body and looking yourself into the mirror?

Just kidding. As other have said, it is not the best sport to choose. As for other factors, there is not much we can do to alter the progression of a valvular disease (in your case, it is just a BAV that is working ok, so it is not a disease. Just a condition that may evolve, or NOT, to a valvular disease, in MANY years). Having your BP and cholesterol under control is important, but it is indeed important for everybody, even without any heart condition.

 

[pellicle]

Bodybuilding?
Are you meaning wearing thongs, oiling your body and looking yourself into the mirror?

Thongs are inappropriate footwear in a Gym

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2012/04/thong-fears-unfounded,-says-study-/

 

[Agian]

Zamininc, why don't you take up martial arts? It'll improve your fitness and you'll put on muscle.

 

[tom in MO]

I was told to avoid holding my breath during any exercise, always breathe, keeps the blood pressure from spiking. I am not a weight lifter, but was never given an actvity restriction. I was asymptomatic.

 

[Paleowoman]

With super slow weight lifting I am told to 'pant' almost as it's very bad to hold the breath at all when lifting heavy weights.

Funnily enough, my GP instructed me on how to do the valsalva manuever in order to slow down my heart when it was pounding due to anxiety (it worked and I no longer get any pounding heart since I have now, in a sense, proved to myself it was an anxiety reaction and not my heart going wrong - I should add that I do not have high blood pressure which would certainly be a contraindication for this technique for slowing the heart) I discovered that it's a technique which can be used for atrial fibrillation and that they use it in A&E (Emergency Room) - but not when lifting wieghts of course !

 

[MarkU]

I have a similar story:

I was first diagnosed with a "murmur" at age 5, which was confirmed to be a BAV via a catherization when I was 15. I was completely asymptomatic and my doctors did not give me any restrictions.

First started lifting on a regular basis around 12-13 years old and played football, wrestled and ran track all the way through school.

I also continued to have annual checkups. My docs told me that some folks need a valve replacement later in life (40's), but that some never have any problems. I was always hoping for the latter.

I continued to lift five days per week and could still manage a 320 lb bench into my mid 40's.

Finally, I started to develop symptoms (shortness of breath & chronic fatigue) at age 46.

Had my AVR at age 47 when it was discovered that I had severe calcification of my valve and root and some enlargement of my left ventricle. My cardiologist said at the time that being in good physical shape likely delayed the onset of my symptoms and also assisted in my recovery from surgery. (I was in good enough shape that they told me cardiac rehab would be a waste of my time and to just start exercising again when I felt like it.)

I was advised to cut out very heavy lifting and lifting to failure, but was otherwise unrestricted in what I could do. I started doing more aerobic exercise, which eventually led me to take up triathlon.
The enlargement of my ventricle reversed itself in less than two years and both my resting heart rate and blood pressure dropped significantly with my new valve. My current resting HR is 41 bpm and my BP is 120/70.

Since my AVR I've done over 25 triathlons, 3 half marathons and numerous 5K races.

I turned 60 this past year and ironically my cardiologist actually encouraged me to add more weightlifting back into my workout regimem to help offset natural muscle mass loss due to aging.

I know that I'm out on the good end of the curve statistically, and feel very lucky and blessed that I can still continue to lead an active lifestyle. I know others who have not been as fortunate.

My biggest disappointment was that my BAV kept me from becoming a Naval Flight Officer, which had been my life-long dream. I was initally accepted in to Aviation Officer Candidiate School when I graduated from college, but the flight surgeon at Pensacola eventually recinded my medical waiver (a story for another time).

My best advice would be to find doctors who you trust and who understand your goals and desires. But if you trust them, you also need to listen to and accept their advice. I know that someday my doc may say "enough" and I'll accept that. Eventually you have to play the hand you're dealt; nobody ever said life was fair.

In the meantime I cherish everyday that I can still go out and exercise.

Good luck and best wishes.
Mark

 

[Midpack]

Eventually you have to play the hand you're dealt; nobody ever said life was fair.

Very wise words!

 

[TheGymGuy]

Here is a thread I can respond to

In my early 20s I was told that for sure I will need a surgery within next 10 years or sooner, actually made it out longer into my mid 30s, all while competing as a powerlifter, the drug-free kind.
My day job is fairly sedentary in software and all, so 2 hours of heavy/intense lifting per day offsets that wonderfully.

As to bodybuilding/powerlifting/or being overall badass in the gym, this all depends on you, your body and your outlook.

With BAV you WILL very likely need a surgery at some point in life, as others said BAV also means that you have a higher chance of connective tissue disorder that is certain parts of your aorta (likely ascending) might be weaker and predisposed to aortic aneurysms, etc. With this said, if you get your echo yearly they should be able to detect changes and make adjustments/suggestions as needed.

Biggest thing I can suggest is to stay as natural as you can, that is cut out stuff that amps you up, take a more natural (less chemicals) protein and lift smart.