Over-exercising

[Karen]

My doctor has told me not to get my heart rate above 150.  I have bi-cuspid aortic stenosis diagnosed this year after a murmur was detected.  52-year-old female.  Echo showed 50 mg Hg systolic gradient (aortic valve), & .89 cm squared aortic valve measurement.  I am on 20 mg Zestril & will re-do echo in 6 mo.  I ski at 140 bpm on gentle slopes & into the 170's on steeper runs & bumps.  Bike from 140-150 on the flat, into the 160's on hills, & 170's & higher on big hills.  Walk at 130 on the flat & hit 150 on hills.  It's hard to stop doing everything I love when I feel pretty good (except for fatigue, shortness of breath, & palpitations).  Can I push this 150 number?  How dangerous is it to do so?  What will happen?

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

I would stick with your doctor's advice. Aortic stenosis limits your heart's ability to deliver blood and oxygen to the body. If you try to increase the workload of the heart, it may not be able to keep up and you may lose consciousness. This is particularly concerning since you appear to already have symptoms.

[Nathan Jones]

Listen to your doctor.  With aortic stenosis there is a possibility of dying from pusing it too hard.  A failure of your aortic valve would be fatal.   With that level of restriction I suspect you will be discussing valve replacement surgery.  But listen to your doctor on this one.  Aortic stenosis is not to be taken lightly

[Susan]

I am also a very active 52 year-old woman.  I had a bi-cuspid aortic valve from birth, but no one knew that in those days, only that I had a heart murmur.  Last February (1999), I had the valve replaced with a St. Judes mechanical.  I did not really realize I had symptoms until after the surgery, as they had developed so insidiously over the years, and I did not notice the shortness of breath and fatigue to any major extent.  Then, gone..... However, a heart cath in 11/98 indicated I should not wait for the surgery and happily that my arteries were clear.  After the surgery, I was walking a mile at the end of the first week and 4 miles a day before going back to work in 6 weeks.  I have not had a sick day since either (rarely do anyway) and fly all over the US with my work, keeping long hours.  Occasionally I can overdo it and get more tired than I should be, but as long as I eat and rest properly, I go in circles around younger and more "healthy" individuals.  I guess that is the hardest part--waking up "yesterday" as the usual epitome of health and "today" find that I am a heart patient.  But life goes on, still beats the alternative!  I take coumadin, of course, but that has not been a problem either. That is the only prescription medication I take.  I guess what I am saying is why not get the surgery done so you can get on with things and back on the slopes?  Has your doctor suggested that yet?  If it is inevitable (like in my case) why waste time feeling bad and unable to do the things you enjoy when that can be rectified?  I found the surgery generally to be a piece of cake and as healthy as you are now, I would think you would also.  Oh well, that is my 2 cents.  I sure hope you are doing okay.  Good luck!