Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
avr and martial arts
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.
avr and martial arts
by mario-sebastiani, Jan 06, 1999 12:00AM
hi just a silly question...will be schedualed soon for aortic valve replacement if no more delays on the hospitals part by february. i have chasen a homograft because mechanical valve would of meant end of my contact karate.however on the net i have heard something that might change my mind.i would like to hear from anyone out there ...is it true that a homograft can wear out prematurally if too much stress is put on it . i am into karate 3 times a week and although it gets quite active i don't think its anymore stressfull than a regular gym course. you see if this is true it defeats the whole purpose of choosing a homograft over a mechanical valve.if anyone with a homograft is into martial arts i would like to hear from them thanks ....
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Cardio MD - MTR, Jan 06, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Mario, thank you for your question. I don't know of any specific information regarding the longevity of an aortic valve homograft in relation to physical activity and stress. However, if there is a chance you will be kicked or punched in the chest during martial arts, then you should speak with your cardiologist and surgeon about whether such contact could damage your sternum after the surgery. Overall, a homograft is the best choice for a young person who would like to remain active after the AVR, but you must realize that a homograft has an expected longevity of 15-20 years which means you may need another AVR in the future. The most durable aortic prosthesis is a mechanical valve.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. Good luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
