Heart Rate Limitations

[stevo]

Dear All,

Since I found out about my Mitral Valve Leak and since my repair in March my cardio has limited me to 160 Hr and say it applies for the rest of my time on this mortal coil yet I see many older than me with replacements ( I am 31) who are able to get their hr much higher. Can somebody suggest why this limit has been put on me. I am a bit naughty sometime and go over it when running hills.

Any advice.

Stevo

 

[MarkU]

My cardiologist limited me to 150 BPM after my AVR because I had developed left ventricular hypertrophy prior to my surgery and he didn't want me to make it any worse by pushing my HR during exercise. Fortunately the enlargement reversed itself after a year, but my cardiologist still likes me to wear a heart rate monitor and stay below my aerobic threshold when exercising. For me that is around 159 BPM.

Mark

 

[tprice54]

No limits

No limits

After my AVR and CABG my wife specifically asked about limitations, as she was concerend about my running. The cardio and surgeon both said no limitations...go for it...I'm not sure if that can correlate to MVR....

 

[MikeHeim]

This has been discussed several times on this site, and I'm pretty sure there's never been any satisfactory resolution. There's a chance that it's just your Cardio being over cautious. I've seen websites that say you should keep your HR under 65% of max post-op. For most people that would be somewhere around 130 and would basically preclude the patient from doing anything except playing backgammon and ping-pong.

The next part is opinion and has no medical backing. I am personally of the opinion that my heart has been repaired, is now back to normal size and funtion, so why should I have any restrictions that the general population does not have? A long time ago, I asked my Cardio about exercise restrictions, and he said that he would recommend that nobody run marathons and certainly no one should ever take up power lifting. Yet, obviously millions of people partake in these activities and never have a problem. I personally try to keep my HR under 160 for no other reason than I recover much better and much more quickly when I do.

 

[Cooker]

My cardio never put a limit on it for me...........LOL....he probably figured there was not much chance of me exceeding the speed limit

Just curious, do mechanical valves have max rating for beats per minute????

 

[SumoRunner]

Just curious, do mechanical valves have max rating for beats per minute????

I once heard from a guy on a runners forum who used to work at the lab that tested St Jude valves. He said they simulated a life time of ticks by putting them in a machine that ran at several hundred and even thousands of beats per minute and under pressures that no human could withstand.

 

[tommy]

I seriously doubt that any valve would be approved without huge safety factors. I suspect that the mechanical valve will outlast the engergizer bunny.

People need various limits due to their individual situation, not due to the valve construction. To me a lifetime limit of 160 seems a bit arbitrary and simplistic. Ask the doc about it.

My cardio ran marathons in college and gives me no restrictions. (My 50+ year old joints give me restrictions.) I'm fortunate to have my cardio describe my condition as "normal heart function". Of course, for endurance running, you want to say below threshold anyway or you'll run out of gas.

I once pushed to 174 at the end of a 10k without any problem. I was in peak shape (for me) at the time, so it wasn't a weekend warrior stunt. At the time, my theoretical max was 168.

 

[doberman]

My cardio limited me to 80% of my upper limit, I think it is the high 140's but I cycle and play hockey and I am pushing 50, not sure what my pulse hits on the rink. Most people on this site will advise you to listen to your doc! I will watch this thread as I am wondering if your doc is playing safe or if there is something to it, as I mentioned my cardiologist did not seem too concerned about my activities and i am an old guy. By the way I have a similar repair.
Enjoy!
JD

 

[temp69]

backgammion and ping pong?

backgammion and ping pong?

well i work out three times a week at the gym and on the elliptical my hb is around 130 and that feels like it's plenty. the "just do it" mentality has pushed people to extremes, so i'd say if you feel good and are sweating and maintaining or losing weight then you're doing great. as for 160 -- i maybe reach than in the sack, but i doubt it. i can hear the complaints now...i'm covering my ears...

 

[67walkon]

They still have me on a very mild dosage of metatoprol, so I don't really know what my HR will do. It is something I am very aware of and something I monitor.

I ride a road bike 3 or 4 times a week, anywhere between 15 miles and 40+ miles. My typical speed on a flat road with no headwind is around 17 mph, although parts of the rides are much slower because I have to go through some neighborhoods. Parts of the rides are also faster. My HR averages in the low 100s and I don't think it's yet hit much over 120 since surgery. Pre-surgery, my averages weren't all that dissimilar, but I would hit the 140's HR from time to time.

The surgeon told me the only restrictions I would have are no super heavy weight lifting.

John

 

[doberman]

Hi I have had a repair and cycle and play hockey, probably should get a monitor but figure I am on the 160's when pushing myself and I am almost 50... prior to my surgery I was given no limit to my excercise regime... but you should listent to the doc don't you think I imagine he has his reasons... he has one goal in mind to keep you active and healthy.
Enjoy,
JD