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Is cardio exercise beneficial if you have severe mitral regurgitation?
Dear Doctor
I have moderate to severe regurgitation of the mitral valve.
My doctor says I can do anything I feel up to. I've been doing the treadmill and an elliptical stepper 30 minutes a few times a week. In your opinion is it safe to do cardio? Will my valve get stressed out and deteriorate quicker? I have an echo cardiorgram done every 6 months.
I have moderate to severe regurgitation of the mitral valve.
My doctor says I can do anything I feel up to. I've been doing the treadmill and an elliptical stepper 30 minutes a few times a week. In your opinion is it safe to do cardio? Will my valve get stressed out and deteriorate quicker? I have an echo cardiorgram done every 6 months.
A related discussion, Mitral Regurgitation and exercise was started.
Hi i just found your forum.
My daughter underwent a a co-arctation of the left aoerta when she was a week old.
When she was two it was discovered that she had a supra mitral membrane of the left aeorta. This meant that her left valve wasn't growing properly. To add to the complications her school clinic dentist drilled into an abcess without us knowing and subsequently gave her ENDOCARDITIS. This took nine months to diagnos and was then treated with I.V antibiotics through a broviac line.
After this she seemed to be getting on ok. UNTIl.. her school dentist once again deciced to play god and not give her antibiotics whilst having dental treatment. I had to arrange my own through my G.P who (had a word with the dentist)!!!!
My daughter now goes to Alder Hey for all her treatment. it is a long way ...but it is worth it.
Anyway... her mitral valve that she has got is deformed and the doctors said that it is small and if it doesnt grow will need replacing.
My daughter Robin is now ten and she is on the medication enalapril and asprin as she started going losing the sight in her eyes momentarily. Enough to make her blind enough to fall over. She also started to go dizzy and still does.
I do not know yet if the outcome is good or bad for these ops...and would like to know what you think.
I am very very worried as it is coming up to a serious op...I can't seem to hold back my tears...
I thank with all my heart anyone that can advise me through this.
All my love and thoughts are with everyone who is on this site because hearts bring us together.
lots of understanding and love
Lisaxx
My daughter underwent a a co-arctation of the left aoerta when she was a week old.
When she was two it was discovered that she had a supra mitral membrane of the left aeorta. This meant that her left valve wasn't growing properly. To add to the complications her school clinic dentist drilled into an abcess without us knowing and subsequently gave her ENDOCARDITIS. This took nine months to diagnos and was then treated with I.V antibiotics through a broviac line.
After this she seemed to be getting on ok. UNTIl.. her school dentist once again deciced to play god and not give her antibiotics whilst having dental treatment. I had to arrange my own through my G.P who (had a word with the dentist)!!!!
My daughter now goes to Alder Hey for all her treatment. it is a long way ...but it is worth it.
Anyway... her mitral valve that she has got is deformed and the doctors said that it is small and if it doesnt grow will need replacing.
My daughter Robin is now ten and she is on the medication enalapril and asprin as she started going losing the sight in her eyes momentarily. Enough to make her blind enough to fall over. She also started to go dizzy and still does.
I do not know yet if the outcome is good or bad for these ops...and would like to know what you think.
I am very very worried as it is coming up to a serious op...I can't seem to hold back my tears...
I thank with all my heart anyone that can advise me through this.
All my love and thoughts are with everyone who is on this site because hearts bring us together.
lots of understanding and love
Lisaxx
Thank you for your response Dr. and Gary.
Just for the record I am taking an ace inhibitor. I take accupril 20mg and atenonol 50mg a day along with a ecotrin 325mg a day. To prevent a stroke.
I am having an echo cardiogram today. So we will soon see if there is any change. I actually didn't exercise continously in the last 6 months since my last echo. I had fracturered my wrist and became a bit less active. I noticed I had more energy during the time I was exercising. When I say I'm doing cardio I'm not runnung marathons. I'm just trying to keep my metabolism moving. I'm 42f, 5'6" and approx 142 lbs. I'm trying not to gain weight.
I will check out the web site you posted.
Just for the record I am taking an ace inhibitor. I take accupril 20mg and atenonol 50mg a day along with a ecotrin 325mg a day. To prevent a stroke.
I am having an echo cardiogram today. So we will soon see if there is any change. I actually didn't exercise continously in the last 6 months since my last echo. I had fracturered my wrist and became a bit less active. I noticed I had more energy during the time I was exercising. When I say I'm doing cardio I'm not runnung marathons. I'm just trying to keep my metabolism moving. I'm 42f, 5'6" and approx 142 lbs. I'm trying not to gain weight.
I will check out the web site you posted.
Nancy,
By the way, check out this web site:
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/jul_96/joy.htm
Gary
By the way, check out this web site:
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/jul_96/joy.htm
Gary
Nancy,
I respect the doctor's opinion, but have to relay to you some personal experience and other cardiologists' opinions.
First, I have been told by more than one cardiologist that one of the goals of regurgitant mitral valve management is to keep down the systolic blood pressure. In fact, I was put on an ACE inhibitor just for that reason. In particular, to reduce the afterload. In most people during intense cardiovascular exercise, the systolic blood pressure increases. Perhaps as high as 170 or more.
Secondly, I was first diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse (without regurgitation) in 1987. I continued to run heavily, including daily runs of 6 miles or more at a pace of 7-7/12 minutes per mile. In about 5-6 years, my valve had progressed to a regurgitant level of 2+ (out of 4). I then quit running, but continued walking at about a 4 miles per hour pace. My mitral valve remained constant at 2+ for another seven years. In fact, it is still at the same value, although I am now starting to show symptoms.
This is not conclusive evidence, only anecdotal, but stopping running seemed to slow or stop my mitral progression.
Frankly, I would be surprised if any studies have been done on the effects of heavy cardiovascular exercise on healthy subjects with a regurgitant prolapsed valve. I couldn't find any, and I also called Dr. Dean Edell (on the radio), who was also not aware of any.
Whatever you choose to do, good luck.
Gary
I respect the doctor's opinion, but have to relay to you some personal experience and other cardiologists' opinions.
First, I have been told by more than one cardiologist that one of the goals of regurgitant mitral valve management is to keep down the systolic blood pressure. In fact, I was put on an ACE inhibitor just for that reason. In particular, to reduce the afterload. In most people during intense cardiovascular exercise, the systolic blood pressure increases. Perhaps as high as 170 or more.
Secondly, I was first diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse (without regurgitation) in 1987. I continued to run heavily, including daily runs of 6 miles or more at a pace of 7-7/12 minutes per mile. In about 5-6 years, my valve had progressed to a regurgitant level of 2+ (out of 4). I then quit running, but continued walking at about a 4 miles per hour pace. My mitral valve remained constant at 2+ for another seven years. In fact, it is still at the same value, although I am now starting to show symptoms.
This is not conclusive evidence, only anecdotal, but stopping running seemed to slow or stop my mitral progression.
Frankly, I would be surprised if any studies have been done on the effects of heavy cardiovascular exercise on healthy subjects with a regurgitant prolapsed valve. I couldn't find any, and I also called Dr. Dean Edell (on the radio), who was also not aware of any.
Whatever you choose to do, good luck.
Gary
Dear Nancy,
Exercise is not known to cause valvular deterioration so I would tend to agree with your doctor. It is a good idea to keep a close watch on the valve and if there is progression to consider adding medications such as ACE inhibitors to help slow the progression. Eventually, if the regurgitation continues to progress to severe, surgery may be necessary. This may be many years away however and I would not worry too much about it at this time.
Exercise is not known to cause valvular deterioration so I would tend to agree with your doctor. It is a good idea to keep a close watch on the valve and if there is progression to consider adding medications such as ACE inhibitors to help slow the progression. Eventually, if the regurgitation continues to progress to severe, surgery may be necessary. This may be many years away however and I would not worry too much about it at this time.
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