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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Exercise Porgram
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Exercise Porgram
by Duk, Jan 31, 2001 12:00AM
My last echo showed the aortic valve becoming calcified and the right ventricle midly diliated along with a VSD. 1. Is there be some type of exercise I should avoid such as running and weight lifing? 2. Will the ventricle continue to grow and at what point would that become a problem? I am in the military and am required to do so many pushups and situps within a certain time and run 2 miles with in a certain time. There are alternate events for the running. 3. Should I do one of these instead. 4. Being that I am only 35 years old and the valve and ventricle are having problems already can I expect to have to have some kind of procedure done in the future? 5. Is there any warning signs to look out for? Thank you for all your help.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Jan 31, 2001 12:00AM
, Jan 31, 2001 12:00AM
1. Is there be some type of exercise I should avoid such as running and weight lifing?
Dear Doug,
Aortic valve calcification by itself is not a cause for concern. If there is also stenosis (narrowing) this is the worry. The right ventricle is probably slightly enlarged due to the VSD. Some large VSDs require repair but most small VSDs can be watched.
A: In general running is OK for patients with valvular disease. Weight lifting may be OK but is usually not recommended if there is severe stenosis. However, your doctor will need to address the specific recommendations for you.
2. Will the ventricle continue to grow and at what point would that become a problem? I am in the military and am required to do so many pushups and situps within a certain time and run 2 miles with in a certain time. There are alternate events for the
running.
A: The enlargement of the right ventricle is most likely due to the increased pressure from the VSD. If this pressure is high then it will probably continue to increase in size. As far as physical restrictions your doctor will need to give you specific guideline as to what you can and cannot do.
3. Should I do one of these instead. 4. Being that I am only 35 years old and the valve and ventricle are
having problems already can I expect to have to have some kind of procedure done in the future? 5. Is there any
warning signs to look out for?
A: A valve replacement is probably not needed. The VSD could possibly require closure if it is large. Warning signs would include prolonged (>30 minutes) palpitations, increasing shortness of breath, and swelling in the extremities.
Dear Doug,
Aortic valve calcification by itself is not a cause for concern. If there is also stenosis (narrowing) this is the worry. The right ventricle is probably slightly enlarged due to the VSD. Some large VSDs require repair but most small VSDs can be watched.
A: In general running is OK for patients with valvular disease. Weight lifting may be OK but is usually not recommended if there is severe stenosis. However, your doctor will need to address the specific recommendations for you.
2. Will the ventricle continue to grow and at what point would that become a problem? I am in the military and am required to do so many pushups and situps within a certain time and run 2 miles with in a certain time. There are alternate events for the
running.
A: The enlargement of the right ventricle is most likely due to the increased pressure from the VSD. If this pressure is high then it will probably continue to increase in size. As far as physical restrictions your doctor will need to give you specific guideline as to what you can and cannot do.
3. Should I do one of these instead. 4. Being that I am only 35 years old and the valve and ventricle are
having problems already can I expect to have to have some kind of procedure done in the future? 5. Is there any
warning signs to look out for?
A: A valve replacement is probably not needed. The VSD could possibly require closure if it is large. Warning signs would include prolonged (>30 minutes) palpitations, increasing shortness of breath, and swelling in the extremities.
