Post Op Rehab, new numbers..

[PapaHappyStar]

I've been making steady progress since my AVR ( Ross Procedure ) in Dec 2004.

Here is how my heart rate numbers look like after a 5k (10 min ) bike ride at moderate intensity.

Activity Level at measurement                                 HR(bpm)
--------------------------------------------              --------------
Rest just before exercise  (lowest)                            63
Average during workout                                        155
Max. HR during workout                                        168
recovery at  3 min.                                            95
         at 15 min.                                            75

I think I have more or less made a full recovery from the surgery at this point in terms of heart-lung performance. Will be able to tell you more how the new valves function after next months echo.

 

[Mary]

Looking good, Burair!
I'm eager to see my numbers decrease after surgery.
Does this mean I need to record them now, so I can compare later?

 

[ar bee]

those numbers certainly look impressive to me! good on you!

just some questions out of curiosity:

do you by any chance have data on the intensity of the workout (something like avg watts or MET?)

are you still on medication, beta blockers or the like?

did you do that 'work-out' on your own or under medical supervision?


well2u
ar bee

 

[Wise]

That's great Burair. Seems pretty impressive to me. It will be interesting to know what the next echo shows. Congrats on your progress!

 

[PapaHappyStar]

those numbers certainly look impressive to me! good on you!

just some questions out of curiosity:

do you by any chance have data on the intensity of the workout (something like avg watts or MET?)

are you still on medication, beta blockers or the like?

did you do that 'work-out' on your own or under medical supervision?


well2u
ar bee

Thanks, no I dont have a computer on the bike just a simple HRM -- so no power etc, feels moderate intensity to me -- this is an outdoor bike ride too -- from work, so no medical supervision. I havent been on a beta-blocker ( or any other medication ) since a month post-op.

Regards,
Burair

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Looking good, Burair!
I'm eager to see my numbers decrease after surgery.
Does this mean I need to record them now, so I can compare later?

I was in terrible shape just before surgery and hadnt felt like doing anything physically demanding for some years ( more than two ). I would compare numbers from when I was mild-moderate stage of stenosis -- problem is I dont know when that was for me... and I did not feel the need to make measurement anyway, I do know my rest HR was around 55 some years ago, I think its approaching that right now as well...

 

[BillCobit]

Good stuff! I want to be like you when I grow up!

My HR has never returned to pre-op resting rates - and it revs pretty high when I exercise. I THINK it may be starting to drop a little bit during exercise, but any effect is not so pronounced than I'm sure of it.

 

[jeffp]

Looks like I have something to look foward to. Before MVR, heart rate was in the mid 60's; after was in the 100-110 range. Am 6 weeks post op and just was able to do a mile walk this AM (promptly took 2 hour nap when I got home - was not panting, just exhausted). Resting rate is now around 95 and I was beginning to wonder if it will ever get back to "normal". I'll give it more time - that's all we got when you get right down to it.

 

[Karlynn]

Not surprised, after seeing the spring in your step on Saturday.

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Looks like I have something to look foward to. Before MVR, heart rate was in the mid 60's; after was in the 100-110 range. Am 6 weeks post op and just was able to do a mile walk this AM (promptly took 2 hour nap when I got home - was not panting, just exhausted). Resting rate is now around 95 and I was beginning to wonder if it will ever get back to "normal". I'll give it more time - that's all we got when you get right down to it.

Mine was about the same as yours right after the surgery -- and stayed above 80-90 for almost two months, in the third and fourth month there was a dramatic drop in HR:rest and an increase in ability to exercise w/o fatigue. Dont know if your timetable will follow mine exactly: judging by the results of the return to "normal" poll a few weeks ago there is considerable variation in the recovery time.

 

[stormrev]

Heart rates

Heart rates

Hi Jeffp et al

I concur that my resting heart rate stayed at around 90 for a few months than dropped back down quickly to below 60. I think that is pretty normal experience for heart surgery.

I had my Ross just over a year ago and my recovery rates have continued to improve. Before surgery when I was fitter (like 10 years ago!) I used to guage my fitness by how much my heart rate dropped in the first 1-2 mins. Nowadays it typically falls by 40 beats in the first minute and 50-60 by 2 mins.

I'm on an enforced layoff from exercise at present having torn my calf muscle trying to compete in a sprint at the MAsters athletics (old fool that I am!), having just recovered from tearing a hamstring three months ago, you think I would learn!!!

Kind regards

Grant (still hopeful runner)

 

[taranjit]

Workout's time, intensity and type!

Workout's time, intensity and type!

A few other parameters on the side when we are talking about this issue are (i) length/time of workouts, (ii) intensity, and (iii) type (e.g. running vs lifting weights)...

(i) Time: For an example, if you workout for 10 minutes at a given intensity (say 70%), your recovery profile (e.g. from 150bpm to 70bpm in 20 minutes) will be a lot faster than if you had worked out for 60 minutes (e.g. 150bpm to 70bpm in 90 mins)..

(ii) Intensity: More intense you train (e.g. 175bpm instead of 150bpm for 30 mins), the slower your recovery profile would be..

(iii) Type: I still have to quantify this claim, but I have seen that when I lift weights with high intensity (e.g. 150bpm betwen sets - 170bpm during sets with 1 minute between sets) for 40 minutes, my recovery profile is slower (i.e. time to resting heart rate RHR) than if I ran continuously at around the same intensity (e.g. 160bpm) for 40 minutes...
I guess it is because your Blood Pressure (BP) profile varies tremendously during lifting than during running, and that be an attributing factor.. but that does not mean BP variation is bad.. it is yet another beneficial parameter like heart rate that can be useful to challenge on a regualr basis doing good things like workouts (rather than stress).. it gives your heart a chance to work better as a pump which it is really all about, but imperfect ones like us (valve people that is) need to be a bit careful (avoid valsalva manuver i.e. keep breathing and do not hold breath while lifting)...

you all seem to be doing great, I am glad...
taranjit

 

[MitralMan]

Papa, those numbers are OUTSTANDING

Papa, those numbers are OUTSTANDING

If I ever get to numbers like those for myself again, I will be ecstatic.

Good on ya!

 

[PapaHappyStar]

If I ever get to numbers like those for myself again, I will be ecstatic.

Good on ya!

I think you will, from a non-expert point of view I expect an AVR is less 'taxing' for the heart than mitral valve surgery, so might take a bit longer for you...

Last week ( a few days after I posted this ) I went through a few days when I wasnt feeling so good and my resting heart rate went back up into the 70's -- and so I understand your being disturbed ( in your previous thread ) by this a bit more now, I guess the best I can do is to keep at a good level of fitness and try not to trip the worry cycle ( when my HR goes up I worry and when I worry my HR goes up... )