One year later

[Newbie]

It's been a little over a year since my aortic valve replacement surgery.
In the weeks leading to the surgery, I would be out of breath going up two flight of stairs. This hasn't really improved much. Does it take longer ? I have been going to the gym to get back in shape and I can walk for 40 minutes on the treadmill with no problems, but still get short of breath after some stairs...

I see some of you even went on to run triathlons...

Any ideas ?

Joe

 

[Just ASK]

Here is my WAG...the valve is probably fine, but something else is not up to par. At 12 months out I would definitely discuss with your cardiologist.

 

[epstns]

Joe - What meds are you taking? Beta blockers can limit your maximum heart rate. Climbing stairs may "ask" for a higher heart rate than your present pace on the treadmill. I think that's what is keeping me at a fast walk rather than being able to jog.

 

[Bean Counter]

Congratulations on your 1 year. How "out of breath" are you when you climb the stairs? I have never considered walking up stairs to be an easy task. I get less winded from running (unless I am doing a hard effort) compared to stairs. When I say winded, I am not completely out of breath and needing a break when I get to the top, but definitely notice that I am breathing harder going up stairs.

 

[Newbie]

Steve,

I am taking Bisoprolol (A beta blocker) and micardis. I have noticed that my heart rate is low, in the 60's, and even working out, it hardly goes above above 80.
I thought I had turned into a pro athlete... lol...

 

[Newbie]

Congratulations on your 1 year. How "out of breath" are you when you climb the stairs? I have never considered walking up stairs to be an easy task. I get less winded from running (unless I am doing a hard effort) compared to stairs. When I say winded, I am not completely out of breath and needing a break when I get to the top, but definitely notice that I am breathing harder going up stairs.

Thank you. Not too winded. Hard to breathe for about half a minute after, then I'm fine.