Exercise with AVR and aotic root replacement?

[RunMartin]

Hi,


Does anyone know whether there are any restrictions regarding exercise post surgery for someone with an AVR and part of their aorta replaced. I am probably going to have this done in the not too distant future.

If possible I would like to carry with my lifestyle which includes lots of running and swimming.

Thanks

Martin

 

[Tom F.]

I had my aortic valve repaired and a small portion of my ascending aorta replaced with dacron. Generally, I have no exercise restrictions at all. However, I was cautioned against extreme weightlifting, not direcrly because of my surgery, but rather as just something someone in their 50's should not do.

 

[ar bee]

some are trying to climb Mount Everest

some are trying to climb Mount Everest

with a St. Jude's valve..

i have it with Theofrast Bombast von Hohenheim: "Dosis facit venenum" ie dosage makes the poison..

my (i am pre-op) cardio said, provided that things go fine, i go through re-hab, and i use a heart rate monitor I can go up to 80% of max heart rate..

well2u

 

[McCln]

Runmartin

Runmartin

I was lucky not to have restrictions either. AVR person here. Best to talk to the cardio who, when you go to a gym, has to sign a medical release, or at least tell you of any restrictions. Good luck that you will not have much restriction. Take care.

 

[MarkU]

No restrictions from my cardiologist, other than to avoid max effort weight lifting. He strongly supported my decision two years ago to drop my gym membership and focus on my aerobic triathlon training.
I think the cross training aspects of what I am doing now help to minimize the wear and tear on my 51 year old body.

 

[d-mac]

AVR and aortic repair

AVR and aortic repair

Hello Martin

I am today starting my 8th week since surgery which will be very similar to yours. Every day seems to get better and from about 2 weeks out it is remarkable how much extra you can do every few days.

I have been advised that if everyone thing goes swimmingly well, I can expect a relatively normal life upon complete recovery. I have heard the advice to avoid extreme weightlifting and think it is wise. I recall another member wrote that he reduced his weights and number of training days after surgery and now has better body tone anyway due to more focused training.

Follow the advice of your rehab program and surgeon/cardiologist. It may take a while to get back to proper swimming due to how much you use your chest/arms etc.

Good luck
Darren

 

[Bunkenmeyer]

exercise after root replacement

exercise after root replacement

one more experience. I had my root replaced w/Dacron 2 years ago this month. They were able to repair my valve, fortunately so I don't have an artificial. In any event, I'm now working out w/out any restrictions except for the weightlifting restriction mentioned by others. I do use handweights which I think are fine. I joined a Masters Swim Team about a year ago and work out pretty hard (3000 yards 3x/week) and feel great. Obviously it took a little while before I got to that point. Basically my progression was: 1 week after surger - could walk for about 10 minutes, 1 month after surgery could walk 1 mile, 2 months after surgery walked 2-3 miles, 3-6 months after surgery back at the gym breaking a sweat 1 year later joined the Masters team. Hope this helps.

Bunkenmeyer

 

[RunMartin]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I seem to feel a bit more relaxed about the situation. I have decided to cut right back on training, i.e. no more hard sessions until at least I have the results of the CAT scan. My cardio said I can keep training but after reading many posts by people in a similar situation I think it would be better to just keep generally fit. I now know that if I have surgery soon I may one day be able to run and swim again (once I have recovered sufficiently).


Thanks and all the best

Martin

 

[Sir Reel]

I had the aortic valve and root replacement surgery three years ago. I have no exercise restrictions other than the surgeon said not to lift more than 75 lbs. I routinely bike and play tennis at high intensity levels.

The restriction on lifting weights is due to the need to keep your blood pressure down. Increased blood pressure may cause the repaired tissues to separate. For the same reason, you may be placed on a blood pressure medicine after the operation (I am).

According to my surgeon, there is a division of opinion regarding whether the increased blood pressure due to lifting weights can cause separation of the tissues. He recommended observing the limitation. Interestingly, my cardiologist did not suggest restricting lifting wieght before I told him about the surgeon's advice. I decided to follow the surgeon's advice (and have done so).

Depending on the shape you are in going into the operation and your efforts at rehabilitation (and presumably your age), you may well be so active within 4-6 months that people won't know you had the surgery unless you tell them.

Good luck!

The surgery is a lousy thing to have to endure but it beats the alternative.