Weight lifting

[Geo]

I have returned back to the gym and have started to do a light to moderate weight lifting routine. My cardiologist was concerned about me sticking to light weights, say 5-20lbs. I was thinking more in the 30-100lb range, which to me is light to mooderate. Has anyone heard of issues with weight training that could cause damage to my tissue valve? As long as my sternum heals up (4months post op now) I would think it would be fine to lift under 100lbs. I read much about cardio work outs but have not seen too much on weight training.

Thank you,

George

 

[MikeHeim]

I hate to hijack this thread (before it even gets started), but I think we can get an answer to both questions at once.

Could someone explain the weightlifting restrictions for us valve patients AFTER surgery? Recently a 50lb limit has been thrown out for a couple people who are post-op, and I must say I am confused. I certainly understand the restrictions for a person is in the "waiting room" and has been identified with a leaky valve, be it mitral, aortic, etc. I know that the sudden blood pressure spike can easily damage the valve further or perhaps even rupture the chordea (sp?) that hold the valve as it functions. In fact, I can even understand restrictions for someone like myself, who has had a repair and is still relying on much of my own "plumbing", which could potentially be damaged again in the future.

However, why would there be restrictions for those with an artificial valve, be it bio or mechanical? The entire mechanism is replaced, so what difference would a blood pressure spike make?

Does this have something to do with how Cardiologists in general feel about weightlifting? Would they reccommend that nobody lift weights, regardless of their valve condition? I remember asking my Cardio (just after being referred for surgery) if I should do anything precautionary leading up to my surgery. Specifically, I asked about salt and caffiene. His response was that "everyone should limit their salt and caffiene intake" and that "I was no different". Frustrating answer, but is weightlifting the same way?

 

[MarkU]

I hate to hijack this thread (before it even gets started), but I think we can get an answer to both questions at once.

Could someone explain the weightlifting restrictions for us valve patients AFTER surgery? Recently a 50lb limit has been thrown out for a couple people who are post-op, and I must say I am confused. I certainly understand the restrictions for a person is in the "waiting room" and has been identified with a leaky valve, be it mitral, aortic, etc. I know that the sudden blood pressure spike can easily damage the valve further or perhaps even rupture the chordea (sp?) that hold the valve as it functions. In fact, I can even understand restrictions for someone like myself, who has had a repair and is still relying on much of my own "plumbing", which could potentially be damaged again in the future.

However, why would there be restrictions for those with an artificial valve, be it bio or mechanical? The entire mechanism is replaced, so what difference would a blood pressure spike make?

Does this have something to do with how Cardiologists in general feel about weightlifting? Would they reccommend that nobody lift weights, regardless of their valve condition? I remember asking my Cardio (just after being referred for surgery) if I should do anything precautionary leading up to my surgery. Specifically, I asked about salt and caffiene. His response was that "everyone should limit their salt and caffiene intake" and that "I was no different". Frustrating answer, but is weightlifting the same way?

My cardiologist is generally anti-weightlifting, but is also open-minded. At the time of my AVR, he had two of us as patients who could bench press 300lbs. He realized that "moderate" weights for us meant something different than for his typical patients. He gave me two requests:
1.) Cut out all heavy lifting such as heavy squats and heavy benching that would spike my blood pressure. No more heavy sets, lifting to failure. It was okay to do weights where I could easily manage 12-20 reps per set. For me that meant bench presses in the 180 lb range.
2.) He asked that I spend at least 50% of my gym time on aerobic exercises - stationary bike, treadmill, etc.
The biggest obstacle I had getting back to the gym was the healing of my sternum - it took it 6-9 months to get over the soreness. I never have been be able to go back and use any of the machines where you put your chest against a pad, like some of the back/rowing machines.

Long story short, the aerobic stuff got me hooked on training for triathlons and now my weight lifting/strength training is pretty much limited to circuit training and core exercises.

Mark

 

[mitchner9g]

Hello - It might also depend a lot on the kind of valve you got. There's a very intense pressure gradient when weight lifting that I suspect is pretty hard for tissue valves to endure over a long period of time.

I had a ross procedure and really blew out my pulmonic autograft over a winter of resistance training a few years ago. I'm now weeks away from another AVR.

Mechs might not have the same issues, but definitely, whatever you do, make sure you're getting careful followup with your cardiologist to measure the effects of your program on your ticker.

 

[tommy]

I was restricted to lifting 10 lbs for 6 weeks post AVR. That was to prevent stress on the sternum.

My cardio takes a position similar to MarkU's, although I never lifted weights before I started running a few years ago. Like Mark, I use strength training to enhance triathloning, and for overall fitness. It represents less than 10% of my total regimen. I already weigh more than I want to, so I don't want to bulk up, but lean muscle burns fat.

The instructor at the gym suggested 2 sets of 15-30 reps. I don't increase weight (5 lbs.) until I can do at least 25 reps in both sets and in two successive workouts.

The great thing about weight machines is that even with an injury (who me? ), I can work the other areas.

 

[Sir Reel]

As I understand it, the concern is the increase in blood pressure and its impact on both the "joint" and the valve.

My surgeon told me there was a division of opinion in the surgical community regarding whether increasing blood pressure could cause the repair to come apart where the new valve (and/or root, if you have a root replacement to go with your valve replacement) was joined to the old tissue. His advice was to avoid lifting more than 75 lbs. He didn't seem troubled by occassional lifting something somewhat heavier (say a couple of times per year if needed).

My cardio at the time was unaware of the need for a restriction on lifting weights. I have since seen two more cardios (due to moves), both of whom seemed to agree with the weight lifting restriction. All three cardios have focused on minimizing blood pressure as a means to extend the life of the surgery/avoid problems with the valve. In discussing the longetivity of valves, one said that they saw problems with the valves and need for re-op sooner when blood pressure control was ignored.

I attribute being told 75 lbs instead of the customary 50 was due to being younger and in better shape. It stands to reason someone stronger could go somewhat higher as your doctors seem to have accepted, but the ultimate question is how high and the possible downside is another surgery.

It is unfortunate that there is not more available learning on the impact of exercise on valve patients (presumably due to the typically older population of patients).

 

[Lynlw]

Justin was always told that instead of worrying about a certain number, (like 50 pounds ect) he shouldn't lift andany weight that makes him bear down or grunt. his doc said he usually tells his patients that for the reasons you guys are talking about, what is heay for one person would be light to another, Lyn

 

[LLJ]

This has been such a concern for me as well. My cardiologist told me to restrict my lifting to 50 lb pre surgery. Since I could curl 50 lbs with one arm at that time, I told him that was really ridiculous. He hesitantly agreed and said the same thing as above message: Don't bear down and don't valsalva. My squats never go above 125 pounds now post sugery and my upper body workouts never seem to exceed 25-30 pounds for chest flys and biceps and never above 60 pounds for back work. Shoulder presses used to be a favorite and they stay down at 25 pounds dumbell and 40 pounds for bar presses.
If anything feels too heavy that day,I go lighter. No way I want to go throught that surgery again any sooner than I have too! But, it's true for those of us who love lifting no amount of running,cycling or aerobic exercise can duplicate it. But, I do enjoy being alive more than I enjoy lifting,so I keep it light!
Laura
LLJ

 

[Rush20]

My cardiologist is generally anti-weightlifting, but is also open-minded. At the time of my AVR, he had two of us as patients who could bench press 300lbs. He realized that "moderate" weights for us meant something different than for his typical patients. He gave me two requests:
1.) Cut out all heavy lifting such as heavy squats and heavy benching that would spike my blood pressure. No more heavy sets, lifting to failure. It was okay to do weights where I could easily manage 12-20 reps per set. For me that meant bench presses in the 180 lb range.
2.) He asked that I spend at least 50% of my gym time on aerobic exercises - stationary bike, treadmill, etc.
The biggest obstacle I had getting back to the gym was the healing of my sternum - it took it 6-9 months to get over the soreness. I never have been be able to go back and use any of the machines where you put your chest against a pad, like some of the back/rowing machines.

Long story short, the aerobic stuff got me hooked on training for triathlons and now my weight lifting/strength training is pretty much limited to circuit training and core exercises.

Mark

My cardio had similar concerns. I had lifted weights since I was 15 consistently and even though the thought of maxing my bench press post-op freaked me out, I returned to more moderate (10-15 reps) weights 6 months after surgery.

I used to mix my cardio into my resistance training program, however I now focus more on cardio and less on resistance. Where I used to hit the weights 4-5 days/week, I now limit to two days and I no longer max out, especially on large muscle exercises, i.e. squats.

Even though I miss the heavy lifting days, I'm enjoying more time and miles on my bike. Especially since I can now bike year-round since moving from Chicago.

 

[mtkayak]

I was told by my card to lift no more than 50lbs. at one time in the gym while working out. Ocassional one time heavy lifting here and there is okay. Say if you had to help a friend move a couch or something. However in the same instance he said don't lift anything that make your grunt or strain yourself. "Anything that makes your face turn red" as he put it. On the other hand, my Surgeon said it was okay to lift above 50lbs. but no power lifting. He refused to put a number on how much I could lift but just said "use your common sense" while lifting. Don't strain or grunt. I agree, there seems to be some confusing even in the medical community as to what our limitations should be. I have a mechanical valve not a tissue valve and was told that leakage doesn't neccesarily come from the valve but could come from around the ring. I personally don't see how a mechanical valve could leak being that it is mechanical. I still have not got an definitive answer on that from a doctor.

 

[Rush20]

I wonder what Arnold Schwarznegger does now that he had AVR as well? There were various stories as to whether his original Ross procedure failed and him receiving a mechanical valve by default. Regardless, with his new duties as governor of California his pysique has changed since his bodybuilding career. He still apears to have some bulk so I'm sure he performs some type of resistance training.

 

[Magnus]

I have been wondering if for mechanical valves it could depend on whether the valve sits "on top" of the aortic root or if it is sutured "into" the opening. In the latter case high pressures would seem, to me at least, to strain the sutures more.

I'm going to ask my cardio this when at my June 20th appointment. My surgeon basically told me weight lifting was fine as long as I don't do anything stupid like 3-rep sets or competitive weight lifting.

 

[MikeHeim]

Thanks for all your answers, as frustratingly inconclusive as they might be. 50lbs seems like a ridiculously arbitrary number. Like was stated previously, 50lbs for someone who is 6'2" and 185lbs is much different than for someone who is 5'4" and 105lbs. Unfortunately, it sounds like there is no right answer. I was told that I was OK to lift anthing that I could do 15-20 reps with. However, I'm now slightly afraid to go that high, because that will mean at least 150lbs on some equipment.

How am I supposed to balance my fear of screwing up my mitral repair with the disgust I have for the mush that my upper body has turned into?

 

[Magnus]

How am I supposed to balance my fear of screwing up my mitral repair with the disgust I have for the mush that my upper body has turned into?

I have exactly the same problem. I don't have a solution but I guess that at some point either I will say "**** it" and lift weights anyway or I'll just give up on weight lifting altogether. My upper body is currently also in a sad state of affairs. (My belly is thriving though..)

 

[Rush20]

Thanks for all your answers, as frustratingly inconclusive as they might be. 50lbs seems like a ridiculously arbitrary number. Like was stated previously, 50lbs for someone who is 6'2" and 185lbs is much different than for someone who is 5'4" and 105lbs. Unfortunately, it sounds like there is no right answer. I was told that I was OK to lift anthing that I could do 15-20 reps with. However, I'm now slightly afraid to go that high, because that will mean at least 150lbs on some equipment.

How am I supposed to balance my fear of screwing up my mitral repair with the disgust I have for the mush that my upper body has turned into?

I share your frustration. When I went through my 12-week post-surgery rehab, the nurses were also throwing out arbitrary numbers like "don't lift anything over your head more than 25 lbs." I was 40 at the time and as mentioned earlier, been lifting since I was 15. A lot different than the say the 60 year old/110 lb. woman who was also in my class.

I would suggest discussing your goals with your cardio and/or PCP. I tend to play it safe with higher reps, moderate weight and strict form. This gives me a chance to maintain some type of tone and definition without putting extra stress on the valve.

 

[Geo]

thanks

thanks

Everyone,

thanks for "weighing" in on this subject. Sorry, I could not resist the pun. It is frustrating when there are no clear cut answers and so many variations on how much to lift. I will continue to look for answers but I will also lift, not as much, but enough to tone. I also don't want to go through my tissue valve any faster thatn I need to also. Well, hang in there everyone. Hey maybe we could get Arnold to commission a study on VR patients and weight lifting!!!!!!

I'll be Back,

George

 

[Cooker]

hehehehehehehe

hehehehehehehe

12oz curls anyone?

 

[Sir Reel]

You mean by volume and not by weight, right?