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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Return to sports??
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.
Return to sports??
by jdd, Oct 29, 2002 12:00AM
I am 21 years old with a history of palpitations and mild aortic valve regurgitation. Due to palpitations and family history of DCM I was advised to have an echo ~every five years. My last echo showed an EF of 30%. I have been put on a beta blocker and ace inhibitor and my palpitations, while still present at rest, have decreased. My question is: what kind of activity is recomended for someone in my situation? I love to run and play soccer, and other than palpitations have no symptoms. Also, I am normal weight and BP, etc. I do not have another echo scheduled for several monthes.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Oct 29, 2002 12:00AM
jdd,
Thanks for your question.
If indeed your echo showed an EF of 30%, then your heart muscle is "weak" and you may have DCM.
I would recommend several things. First, see a cardiologist. Second, a holter monitor may be appropriate to see what happens to your heart's rhythm when you have palpitations. Third, before any recreational exercise, it would be wise to consider a graded exercise treadmill test -- this test will allow your doctors to assess your response to exercise in a safe, monitored setting. Fourth, your doctors may even want to consider an electrophysiology study to assess for the potential for dangerous heart rhythms.
All of the above recommendations hinge on the fact that you are a young, otherwise healthy person with DCM.
Good luck.
Thanks for your question.
If indeed your echo showed an EF of 30%, then your heart muscle is "weak" and you may have DCM.
I would recommend several things. First, see a cardiologist. Second, a holter monitor may be appropriate to see what happens to your heart's rhythm when you have palpitations. Third, before any recreational exercise, it would be wise to consider a graded exercise treadmill test -- this test will allow your doctors to assess your response to exercise in a safe, monitored setting. Fourth, your doctors may even want to consider an electrophysiology study to assess for the potential for dangerous heart rhythms.
All of the above recommendations hinge on the fact that you are a young, otherwise healthy person with DCM.
Good luck.
