Newbie

Baz · Dec 19, 2012

Hi all IAM a 42 year old guy that went to the docs to get my SVT checked out witch I have had for over 20 years without to much trouble just the last couple of times i had it I was a bit dizzy doc sent me for a stress test and a holter monitor . The doc then sent me for a heart Eco stress test.
long story short Cardioligist says I have arotic stenosis and my valve is at about 1cm.
He said If my arteries are fine I can wait a year or two to get it replaced which they are he wants me to get SVT fixed up first so early next year I will get it fixed hopefully.
i may have a symptom getting pretty tied these days
I have a question
I love my exercise mountain bike riding,running,surfing so what sort of excercise could I do or should I give it a mis ?

Cheers

epstns · Dec 19, 2012

I have no knowledge of SVT, so my answer will be purely related to what we can do in spite of aortic stenosis. My stenosis was diagnosed when I was about 52. At that time it was moderate to severe already, with a valve area of around 1.4 cm2. I was still running 7:30 mile times, logging around 3 miles a day, 6 or 7 days a week. From there, over the next 10+ years, I continued running, switching to jogging as I slowed down and my valve area declined. By the time I was 63, I was slowing to about 15:00 miles and could just barely jog. That's when I decided it was time to get on with surgery. I never gave up exercise, I just adjusted it as my body felt the need.

Fast-forward about 22 months to the present. I have had my aortic valve replaced and hit most of the speed bumps on the way to recovery. I not only had the valve replaced, but I also had a bypass and ended up with a pacemaker (bradycardia, etc.). I am back in the gym 5 days a week, but I'm not quite back to my pre-decline levels of training. I split my work-out time between free weights (light weights, high reps, done in the AM), an Airdyne exercise bike and jogging on a treadmill. My jogging times are now back to about 11:00 miles, but I can't do the distance I used to. It isn't my heart - I think that could crank it out. My current limitation is the impact that 30+ years of jogging have had on my knees. It just hurts too much if I jog more than 1.5 to 2 miles, so I don't push it.

My point is that having a valve replaced is not an end to life as we know it. Valve replacement is a new beginning, and it is up to each of us to define what that new life will contain. Unless the docs specifically limit us, most of us are told by our docs something like "If it feels good, do it." What you are now, you can be again - and then some.

dick0236 · Dec 19, 2012

Baz said:
.........I have a question
I love my exercise mountain bike riding,running,surfing so what sort of excercise could I do or should I give it a mis ?

Cheers

Hi Baz. I would not "run with scissors". Other than that, I've pretty much done what I enjoy......with a little dose of common sense. Good luck

Baz · Dec 19, 2012

Thanks for that info
the Cardioligist don't give you much information I suppose you just need to listen to your body

haggis basher · Dec 19, 2012

Hi Baz
I had my Aortic valve changed last year (2011 - at 71 age) I got back into running again, although recently it has been curbed due to 'prostate' operation.
What are they going to do for your SVT problems? I was wondering where in NSW you are, as I am in Sydney.
As has been said earlier, learn to exercise in tune with your body! I am a right one to talk, my friends say "Do what Brian says, but not what he does"!
Good Luck
Brian