Ive yet to feel like Im back to my previous racing fitness that I once had. We have contacted the Cleveland Clinic to learn more and will report back soon. My exercise is limited to 30 minutes of moderate carido, with no weights. Athletes with mechanical or bioprosthetic heart valves may participate in low and moderate intensity sports, Athletes who are taking blood-thinning medications should avoid sports where bodily injury, with potentially life-threatening bleeding, might occur. Probably a bicuspid aortic valve but there are many other possibilities Reply Barbara Walters Prepares for Heart Surgery - ABC News Now, five months after surgery Im gradually returning to sport with 5km runs and kettlebell routine, push ups and pull ups (still feeling pressure in breast bone) no heavy lifting. I asked my surgeon and also the echocardiographist about my sports performance after full recovery, about 6 months after the surgery. We saw cardio in April again and my sons symptoms are the same and no progression on the aortic regurgitation. Its also clear-cut that patients with significant enlargement of the aorta to greater than 5.0 cm need operation for replacement of the aorta. No other issues. Only restrictions are no weights greater than 100 pounds or heavy contact sports. Chris Pratt to Marry into the Kennedy Family. If youre uncertain about any advice youve received about exercise, you might try to seek a second opinion that may provide some extra confidence about exercise. Needless to say, the diagnosis was quite overwhelming. I am a marathoner with BAV and no other cardiac issues. Im keeping my heart rate below 150, 160 at most but just for short period of time. For athletes who return to sport after AVR and aortic replacement, its important to settle on whats safe with your doctor(s) ahead of time. Check out Anthony DiLemmes blog, Anthonys Heart Valve Replacement Saga. A week after he made the varsity team as a freshman he was told by the doctor he couldnt play. Join Vanity Fair to receive full access to VF.com and the complete online archive now. No thrombus, vegetation were noted Keep us posted! I am mostly a runner, 4 times a week, with 10 21 km races. Depending upon the size of the prosthetic valve, there is so e built-in obstruction to blood flow that is e aggregated during exercise. If I had to choose a valve for AVR, Id choose a tissue valve. There are many causes of light-headedness and chest discomfort that are not related to the heart. ), What do you think? They all cause a small bit of obstruction to blood flow as it leaves the heart. Up until this time shes played volleyball, basketball and has even run track in elementary. As youve mentioned, sometimes it can be useful to visit a cardiologist who has an interest in athletes and their heart problems. I have wife and two small boys, I wanna live to see my grandchildren. If Im trying to do 10 it will be harder to get those 2 up but it wasnt that hard before. I realize that appointment availability for medical specialistsin your case, the pediatric cardiologistcan be tight. I have 5 children, so I dont want to drop dead and leave my poor wife with them all to look after on her own. I have recently had CT scan and MRI scan, following some chest pain experienced on track while doing marathon training. Males are about twice as . Aortic stenosis will limit athletic performance at the top end. Follow up for development of these functional lesions is indicated. Advice here will be based on opinion rather than accumulated evidence in large numbers of children with BAV. Here is a link to a diagram that categorizes sports according to their dynamic and static components: http://www.athletesheart.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Classification-of-Sports-300217.png. Now Id like to know your opinion about physical performance, before and after. Im not a nurse or anyone who can help in any real way, she told PEOPLE, fighting back tears. "Women are the natural caregivers; we take care of everyone else under the sun," she says. Save yourself.. Your site has been helpful in provided a sense of peacebut an extra insight would be super encouraging. To the extent that any operation fixes the stenosis or regurgitation, we might expect better efficiency from the heart. I dont have any ayptoms. Bicuspid valve stenosis treatment involves surgery to replace the valve. I had a Type A aortic dissection of the ascending aorta that extended into the descending aorta terminating near the femoral arteries. An early indicator of BAV is a heart murmur, which is an abnormal sound caused by the turbulent . My biggest concern is whether I will be able to return to my previous level of physical activity and level of fitness. My heart seems to heal, so that speaks well for my future.. Is strength training that involves only using ones own body weight ok with mild BAV issues, or is all strength training out? Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Bicuspid Aortopathy Nomenclature and Celebrities with congenital heart disease In the process of how I had the slow waltz with MG UNTIL DIAGnosed, will be ready in 3 weeks. Ordinarily, race walking is considered to be in the same category of activity as long-distance running. The doctors tell me I will be able to run again at a level near to what Im accustomed to (50-60 miles per week) but are reluctant at this point to specifically tell me the limitations and restrictions Im to endure. We dont know what to do. Having a congenital heart defect means you are born with a problem with the heart's structure. On Ocotber 23, 2020, we learned that Arnold Schwarzenegger had a third heart valve procedure, a re-replacement of his aortic valve replacement. I too would be interested in talking off-line about what I have experienced or finding docs who have studied more extensively at fine-tuning high performance engines. He has been restricted from playing contact sports since hey was 10. I am a cycling Masters racer (Cat 2) for last 25 years . At approximately three months I became very ill and was diagnosed with prosthetic valve endocarditis. Consensus guidelines from the Proceedings of the 36th Bethesda Conference recommend: The first recommendation does not include the endurance sports. That is someones life.. Now at 74, and after having AVR I am 10 weeks into the dont lift more than 10 pounds restriction. An echocardiogram last June revealed a function BAV. There is not much scientific evidence about what to expect. There are a lot of variables here, even from the short story youve shared. I did run 1-2 times/week for a 1.5 months now, the situation is getting a little better but still I feel like a 80 years old. Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment - Healthgrades Down side: durabilitythe borrowed valve doesnt last forever; it will deteriorate and need re-replacement at some point. Is it possible that the valve will get loose? Sadly, we dont have a crystal ball, though to know what the future holds for any particular individual. Sounds like youre on the right track by getting things evaluated. Think to report back to let us know how things go for you, personally. I have not had any issues since my surgery. Aortic Valve: Function, Location & Anatomy - Cleveland Clinic Bicuspid Aortic Valve | Johns Hopkins Medicine (I am on a low dose beta blocker) At 4.0 cm, its important to be thoughtful about activities. Thank you to every doc and nurse on my team.". Patients with BAV who have a normal size aorta, with no stenosis or regurgitation of the aortic valve, can participate in sports without restriction. Normal LV diastolic function. While i appreciate you are not my cardiologist and we`ve never met is there anything generic out there that i can look at to gain an idea. Like you, I have been frustrated by the lack of experience and information that the cardiology community has for folks like us, although it is encouraging to read everyones posts here and see that we are not alone. I do not do any kind of sport and I want to have healthy life at make sure my situation not getting worse and I weight 90 kg. These leaflets open and close to regulate blood flow from the heart into the aorta, and prevent blood from flowing back into the heart. Those figures are funny to me because before I was doing three or four times more intense training beside my job (air force pilot). Theres a saying if you watch a group of kids running around, you would never know who had a heart defect unless they lifted their shirt. This list, which may shock you, includes Olympians, Athletes, Musicians and more, all with an invisible illness. Measurements of aortic diameter can be made with echocardiogram. Together, you should be able to settle on what sports activities will be safe based on those facts. Bicuspid aortic valves are more common in men, but also affect women. Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease does not usually cause symptoms. Contact Editor. Could I continue to train and just cut out the blood chokes? My doctor says i use losartan for decrease my blood presure. I suspect (and hope) you will say that the latest recommendations say no restrictions for someone like me but I havent seen yoga specifically mentioned. After a 6 month ramp up, will the Porcene valve take the stress of the 5 rep sets? There has been a slight increase in the measurements over the last several years, but I am still below the threshold which would require surgical intervention. My cardiologist has advised me to avoid high impact activities such as weight lifting and endurance training. After the scans, ultrasounds, stress tests and TOE, I was diagnosed with BAV with no Stenosis, no Aortopathy and no evidence of Coarct and normal LV size and function. is my lack of top end performance indicative of someone with BAV & aortic coarctation? Last week, the CBS This Morning anchor announced via his co-anchors Gayle King and Norah ODonnell that he would be taking a break from the show to undergo heart surgery. Any person in my family there was no problem with the heart. That is except for the last two months hes had several illnesses ( influenza, bronchitis, URI). How much exercise is too much for someone with a functional BAV? Have you considered meeting with a heart surgeon to talk about the situation? "Heart disease is the number one killer of all Americans, the number one killer of African-Americans and the number one killer of women, so I shouldve been put on notice since Im three-for-three. Catch up on the years best movies, whether in theaters or now streaming at home. No enlargement of aorta or any other problems. Im obviously quite anxious that Ill drop death! Very often, follow-up CT scans and echocardiograms are needed every 6-12 months to keep track. If I ever need surgery to replace my root , I understand that there is an element of complexity for such surgery, but after surgery, is life expectancy for individuals assumed to be shortened at all ? What is a TAVR? I have had scans and echos for as long as I can remember and have never been on medication nor has this condition stopped me from doing anything I have wanted. Very helpful. Thanks for sharing your sons story with BAV. Sheer brutality and trauma caused Myasthenia Gravis. Very often, the specialists office will make note of the patients problem and make appropriate decisions about whether routine or urgent appointment scheduling is needed. Thanks a lot for your answers. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Im afraid Ill end up like my Mom. I would like to thank you very much for providing me with your thoughts. Aortic stenosis and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) Bicuspid Aortic Valve - Medscape A lot of people have it, she told Access Hollywood in 2009. I would really like to know if I can (or shouldnt) push myself as hard as I used to. I agree that its somewhat surprising that more detailed information isnt available. Search Hospitals, Join 375,000+ Patientsat Our Facebook Page Click here, HeartValveSurgery.com 2785 Pacific Coast Hwy, #517 Torrance, CA 90505 Phone: (888) 725-4311, 2023 HeartValveSurgery.com. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) in conjunction with the American Heart Association (AHA) has issued guidelines for the evaluation, monitoring, and treatment of individuals with BAV: In my opinion, these are useful guidelines for athletes and non-athletes, alike. It prevents the blood from flowing back from the aorta into the heart when the pumping chamber relaxes. Bicuspid aortic valve. The aortic valve allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the heart to the aorta. BAV is the most common cause of heart disease present at birth and affects approximately 1.3% of adults. But for those WITH such problems, we do recommend curtailing either static or dynamic activities, or both. Activities are not usually restricted for athlete patients with mild aortic stenosis. As of Monday, my BP at the echo appointment read 115/66. Another possibility that you havent mentioned deserves some discussion with your sons doctor(s) or surgeon. So I saw an incredible surgeon and we are going for the Ross Procedure in Feb. Now that we know the type of surgery does this improve my chances or one day returning the CrossFit addicted life I miss? The exact cause of aortic enlargement in patients is not known. I applaud your efforts to search out information to help you decide on a course of action. It seems to be a very interesting option for those who have aortic dilatation due to Marfan or BAV (which is my case). I was diagnosed with BAV about four years ago now by fluke whilst looking into my high blood pressure (I was only 24 at the time so I underwent a lot of testing due to my age and HBP the conclusion was it is hereditary, with many members of my family with HBP). And, if so, how did things go? That means it is a congenital heart defect. I would very much appreciate your opinion weather he can continue his regular football training or should stop it. Ordinarily, athlete patients with mild degrees of valve regurgitation can continue to participate in their sports. Business, Economics, and Finance. For healthy individuals who have BAV with no other heart or aortic problems, follow-up imaging with echocardiogram and/or CT could probably be undertaken annually, or perhaps less often once stability is ensured. Theo Wargo/Getty. I have been doing as much research as possible on what are the advantages/disadvantages of each replacement. Your advice is always invaluable and most appreciated. Went through the process of antibiotic therapy and. "Schwarzenegger's pulmonic valve was successfully replaced.". I asked her when I get my valve replaced(it will have to be replaced sometime in the future) will they repair my aneurysm and to my surprise she said no. March 15, 2023. This is the way I can help. If the valve is smaller than needed, there can be a limit to the ability of the heart to do extra workand that can show up as less speed. A bicuspid aortic valve only has two of these leaflets. "Were saying to put the focus back on you and make a date with your heart.". I had surgery when I was 10 years old to replace my bav with a St.jude mechanical valve. Bicuspid Aortic ValveA Common Form of Structural Heart Disease I am wondering because I know that weighlifting with bav isnt so good I feel terrible because i lov weightlifting and I have build a body that is so difficult for a 18 years old. Athletes in this circumstance should collect opinions from their doctor(s) and make very careful considerations before returning to exercise. TAVR is not the 'beginning of the end' for aortic stenosis open heart Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. It will also be necessary to keep a close eye on the size of the aorta over time, using echocardiography and CT. swimming? Aortic valve repair is sometimes possible. Bethesda Conference reports), even though there is no certain link between sports and the aorta enlargement. As chemist mostly works in a lab not in the field. Should I be doing push-ups/pull-ups? Apologies for my slow reply. Im paranoid to exercise too much for fear that I will do damage to the valve. Thanks for the very insightful post, and for taking the time to reply to everyone here. I dont believe there is any evidence that would help us know if some forms are safer than others. It has allowed me to do the thing I enjoy doing in life. Susp. I wouldnt be happy just running I want to be the best that I can be at it. I say this based on the fact different exercises will allow for differrent weight tolerances than others, in addition, stronger people can handle more weight than others. Ive thought that the next visit to the pediatrician would be a good opportunity to discuss the issue. We generally limit weight-lifting (or other sports/exercise that have a high static component) for athlete patients with BAV and mild enlargement of the aorta. Aortic valve stenosis: Your aortic valve narrows, reducing blood flow through it. Although bicuspid aortic valves can occur . This was caused by an aneurysm in the ascending aorta (root) that measured over 6 centimeters). Consult your doctor to see if there are any restrictions that would be specific to your case. I would defer to Dr. Dietz since youve already contacted him. Last i took him for the check up and everything is still the same but they said now the guidelines has changed and he is on the borderline of Mild to Moderate which will move him to restricted activities. At this appointment she advised that there has been some progression in his regurgitation and she did a stress test on him which did not show any concerns and hey was a ble to do it for almost 12 minutes. Hi Larry As I train triathlon I check my heart every year and there is small back flow (the same last 5 years). I have bav with mild dilation of aorta 39mm. Index to blog posts and online articles, Filed Under: Heart problems Tagged With: aorta, aortic aneurysm, arotic valve, bicuspid aortic valve, congenital heart disease, heart, heart surgery. A CT scan made the diagnosis. If he is a candidate for valve replacement are these sports he could ever return to In the best case scenario? Guidelines specifically for athletes come from the Proceedings of the 36th Bethesda Conference in 2005. 2023 Baton Rouge Clinic. I know it can be frustrating when you get conflicting opinions regarding the safety of exercise. Specifically, Im wondering about inversions like forearm stand, head stand, and hand stand. Bicuspid Aortic Valve Symptoms and Treatment | Baptist Health I cant thank you enough for your responses to all the above questions. His BAV is causing very little back flow. Since then I completed several 10k races and one half-marathon. This visit we were told it could be a few years before anything needs to be done. That would include weightlifting. I ran competively for a division 1 NCAA university through college and have maintained a high level of physical fitness since. Only two cusps, commissures and sinuses are seen in the less common "pure" bicuspid aortic valve subtype. I have found out I have a BAV last year. To quickly review, individuals with BAV have an aortic valve with 2 unequalinstead of the usual 3 equal sizedleaflets. The CVTI is waging war against the leading cause of death among American men and women - heart disease. I went through the regiment of meds that are prescribed post AFIB. I too am looking for information on effects to performance since I am a Masters racing cyclist with 25 years of racing/riding long events. with valve area of 1.4 cm2 and aorta of 4.1 cms Historically, a heart murmur was the most common reason affected individuals were identified. Barbara Walters - Aortic Valve Replacement. I am followed every 2 years. The singer co-founded the Womens Heart Alliance, which works to raise awareness and funds research to fight womens heart disease. You can contact me on zdenkokosutic@yahoo.com. Ive got my results from my recent echo and a lot of normals on there but main things were regurgitation and stenosis were mild with the aorta measuring about 33mm. Hi, my name is Hector and I am 34 years old. My son at 11 months was diagnosed with BAV. To much info to much detail so much information and advice. We all appreciate it. My AVG HR on a daily basis is between 61-64 (that includes a workout where it exceeds 150 at times), I have no intentions of racing this marathon, simply crossing the FINISH line, and my heart rate will not exceed 150 I will walk when/if necessary. There, they detected I had a bicuspid aortic valve." This meant the valve which controls the flow of blood from the heart's left-ventricle chamber to the main artery had only two flaps instead . Vanity Fair may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. It also featured an extended chat with Schwarzenegger's old boss James Cameron, and, despite an attempt, not even the mighty Arnold could pry any Avatar 2 secrets loose. When I had my valve replaced I was told that it would have a 20 year ish life but I think it should exceed that. Cardiac outcomes in a contemporary population of adults with bicuspid aortic valve have not been systematically determined.Objective To determine the frequency and predictors of cardiac outcomes in a. However, I always performed poorly when it came to the top end fitness tests e.g. 1. I have been feeling better than before the surgery and I feel with better condition on the trails. For the last 7-8 years I didnt do too much sport (kids, family). I want to continue weightlifting .. what is your opinion about this ? People can live normal lives with Congenital Heart Defects. First, Id encourage you to follow your doctors advice. Q And A: What is a bicuspid aortic valve? - Medical Xpress BAV is the most prevalent congenital heart defect, but can go undetected for years - even into adulthood. Regards Since my initial post i decided to call another pediatric cardiology hospital in our state, University of Michigan Pediatric Cardiology. His cardiologist said, i am sure he can play a full game with new issues but I have to go with new guidelines and indirectly left it up to me to make the decision which moved him to mild /moderate and put right at the Borderline. What a great resource! The incidence of bicuspid aortic valve and complications. This is such an interesting blog, I wish I had known of it sooner.