Post-exercise fatigue at almost one year post AVR

[mina]

Hi, all,

I'm near my one year valversary (endocarditis leading to emergency valve replacement). I am in my early 30s and I find that I get tired after exercising, needing an hour or so long nap if I exercise during the day and falling asleep immediately upon returning home if I exercise at night. I also require more sleep at night than I used to.

My question, of course, is whether this post-exercise fatigue, this far from surgery and at this relatively young age, is normal. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thank you, in advance, for your thoughts.

 

[ski girl]

Mina are you exercising for longer time or higher frequency now than pre-op? I'm coming up to two years post op for exactly the same reason as you, and I am definitely able to work harder and for longer now - and that makes me tired. However I don't think I'm any more tired than a non-valver would be if they did the same stuff, i.e. two hour mountain bike ride . . . . I just don't have anything to compare my post-exercise fatigue to as I couldn't have done this much before!

BTW 'real' athletes sleep a lot. The Kenyan distance runners run, eat, and sleep in the morning. Then run, eat, and sleep in the afternoon!

Hope that helps.

 

[epstns]

mina, While this may be nothing more than exercise induced fatigue, I would still mention it to your cardio the next visit. That way the docs can monitor you, and if they do an annual echo they can look to see if there is any physical cause lurking in there - just to be sure.

But - I also sometimes have days when I'm just more tired than usual. The key is that mine are occasional. Are yours?

 

[Rachel]

I would also mention this to your GP - tiredness could also mean something unrelated to your heart like a thyroid condition

 

[mina]

Thank you for your helpful responses. In answer to your questions - the exerciser is moderate, no more than I've done since surgery, and less than pre-surgery days (though not immediately pre-surgery of course). The fatigue is pretty regular. Ski girl, thanks for your excellent comment, I felt much less like a tired bum. Epstns and Rachel, I will definitely mention this to my cardio and GP. Again, appreciate the advice!

 

[ski girl]

It could also be something as simple as low iron!

 

[mina]

Excellent point, ski girl - thanks!

 

[RunMartin]

It could also be something as simple as low iron!

That was my problem one year out. I started taking iron tablets and felt much better within weeks.

 

[Agian]

A Multivitamin tablet a day couldn't hurt either.

 

[clay_from_nj]

And make sure you eat enough, especially protein. Your metabolism may have been revved up by the new valve and could actually increase your caloric needs, and all that repair and muscle growth accompanying your renewed vigor might require even more protein than you were previously used to. And, with a more efficient pump, your body will process water much faster and will increase your hydration needs, so drink plenty of water, especially just before exercising.

 

[mina]

Thanks again, all, excellent advice!