Rick
Well-known member
I have bicuspid aortic valve, moderate or moderate-severe aortic regurgitation (depending on the MD), mild dilation of ascending aorta 3.7 - 3.8 (looks like a sausage where it gets wider and then back to normal). After diagnosis 4.5 years ago, I was told to (i) reduce my weight - check, meaning I did it; (ii) take meds - Altace 10mg, Carvedilol 6.25, Lipitor and Baby Aspirin (81mg) - check; (iii) low sodium diet - vast improvement on my diet; (iv) brisk walking -- generally a check and (v) avoide heavy lifting or competitive exercising - check. Was told we would monitor.
Four and a half years later, things have held rather stable without a significant progression. The only thing I notice is that the lower of of the two BP readings (diastolic?) no longer goes up much even when the higher reading (systolic) does.
Though I feel grateful for how things are going, the hardest thing for me to do is the limitations on sports (not the diet, meds, weight). I really love sports and did competitive sports all my life growing up -- loved soccer, basketball, some boxing and did weights. I go to a local MD in Latin America who has managed my care all along and complement with US care every couple of years, especially since some tests are not available here. I have heard three opinions on the matter:
1 - First US cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic (2008): stress echo showed you should do brisk walking and avoid competitive and strenuous exercise...just do walking 5-6 times per week. Something happened with my heart contractility when I was walking on the incline on the stress echo. Told me running was probably not the best and no competitive sports or weights.
2 - Second US cardiologist in Miami (2012): have aortic dilation, but follow exactly what you have been doing with local MD because seems to be working. On sports, avoid heavy lifting but otherwise no restrictions.
Having literally followed MD requests very closely, I did what the man said. I took up boxing and love it! Though in my 40s, I am still quite agile and not so bad. Then included kick-boxing. However, I have had chest pain three of the four times I have done it, including the last bought which lasted over 24 hours, which took me to my local MD.
3 - Local MD: He stated chest pain was muscular and not aorta related (though I have my doubts). Also said, if you love it, do it but lightly and max twice a week, but it does place stress on aorta. Told me I could lift light weights (i.e. 20 pounds) -- which i something I do not like but I hate feeling weak muscularly like I have the last 4.5 years - and walk.
So I have not been boxing again, am doing light weights and walking, but I am frustrated. I have a son who likes surfing, skateboarding, kickboxing etc... and I really love these things too --- all of which I have done in this brief time of "no restrictions other than lifting". I feel sad, I want to share these things with him and love to do most of them too myself (skateboarding less so.
My intention is to follow my local MD suggestion but not do boxing -- you cannot spar lightly, he must have not done this - because I also know once I do these things I cannot do them lightly (i.e went surfing once and ended lying down on beach for 10 minutes a little dizzy catching my breathe and asking people not to talk to me ).
Anyways, wanted to vent a little and also listen to what others have heard from their MDs as my MDs give me slightly different recommendations (normal I guess) and sticking to the most conservative approach has seemed to work for me thus far.
So what have your MDs told you about exercise if you have BAV and mild dilation of aorta? What experiences have you had on the matter? (I posted this here rather than in exercise because it is in the context of BAV and aortic dilation)
Best regards,
Rick
Four and a half years later, things have held rather stable without a significant progression. The only thing I notice is that the lower of of the two BP readings (diastolic?) no longer goes up much even when the higher reading (systolic) does.
Though I feel grateful for how things are going, the hardest thing for me to do is the limitations on sports (not the diet, meds, weight). I really love sports and did competitive sports all my life growing up -- loved soccer, basketball, some boxing and did weights. I go to a local MD in Latin America who has managed my care all along and complement with US care every couple of years, especially since some tests are not available here. I have heard three opinions on the matter:
1 - First US cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic (2008): stress echo showed you should do brisk walking and avoid competitive and strenuous exercise...just do walking 5-6 times per week. Something happened with my heart contractility when I was walking on the incline on the stress echo. Told me running was probably not the best and no competitive sports or weights.
2 - Second US cardiologist in Miami (2012): have aortic dilation, but follow exactly what you have been doing with local MD because seems to be working. On sports, avoid heavy lifting but otherwise no restrictions.
Having literally followed MD requests very closely, I did what the man said. I took up boxing and love it! Though in my 40s, I am still quite agile and not so bad. Then included kick-boxing. However, I have had chest pain three of the four times I have done it, including the last bought which lasted over 24 hours, which took me to my local MD.
3 - Local MD: He stated chest pain was muscular and not aorta related (though I have my doubts). Also said, if you love it, do it but lightly and max twice a week, but it does place stress on aorta. Told me I could lift light weights (i.e. 20 pounds) -- which i something I do not like but I hate feeling weak muscularly like I have the last 4.5 years - and walk.
So I have not been boxing again, am doing light weights and walking, but I am frustrated. I have a son who likes surfing, skateboarding, kickboxing etc... and I really love these things too --- all of which I have done in this brief time of "no restrictions other than lifting". I feel sad, I want to share these things with him and love to do most of them too myself (skateboarding less so.
My intention is to follow my local MD suggestion but not do boxing -- you cannot spar lightly, he must have not done this - because I also know once I do these things I cannot do them lightly (i.e went surfing once and ended lying down on beach for 10 minutes a little dizzy catching my breathe and asking people not to talk to me ).
Anyways, wanted to vent a little and also listen to what others have heard from their MDs as my MDs give me slightly different recommendations (normal I guess) and sticking to the most conservative approach has seemed to work for me thus far.
So what have your MDs told you about exercise if you have BAV and mild dilation of aorta? What experiences have you had on the matter? (I posted this here rather than in exercise because it is in the context of BAV and aortic dilation)
Best regards,
Rick
