Biking After Heart Valve Replacement.

[Lhatch4]

I was wondering if anyone on here has needed a heat procedure and been able to resume biking after. I was born with a bicuspid aorta. I knew I had a heart murmur as a child and found out about the aortic stenosis when I was 12. I've never had any restrictions or symptoms but I always knew the day would come that I need the valve replaced. I just turned 45 and I have started having mild symptoms over the past 6 months. I had an echocardiogram last week and I'm talking to the cardiologist on the 17th. I'm trying to prepare myself mentally for whatever comes next. I really don't want to let this stop me from riding cross-country single track.

 

[Markybeau]

I haven't experienced anything like this....yet, but I wish you the very best of luck with your prognosis

 

[CassidyAce]

The good old NHS has this to say: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/aortic-valve-replacement/recovery/

One of our girls had an op for a hole in the heart at four years old, albeit a much less intrusive op—a stent inserted via a vein in the leg—and has lived a perfectly normal life for the last nineteen years. She's not a cyclist but does a lot of walking. Good luck!

 

[KermitGKona88]

First off let me say, I am sorry to hear about your condition and the worry it is causing. Please bear with me I will get to the point eventually, During the last bout of Covid lockdown, my friends wife (39) became ill , she thought it might be Covid and didn't want to go to A&E because of the high numbers of people going there. No-one could see a Doctor all phone appointments only... Eventually my friend became so concerned he begged her to go to A&E, when she did a Doctor listened to her heart and admitted her straight away this was Friday, Monday they blue lighted her to Papworth the heart specialist hospital in the UK, she had an infection that was destroying her heart valves. Fortunately she is still very much with us and this is where I am going to get to the point. A lot depends on how much your heart regains it's capacity after the operation, she has been doing all the right things, mild exercise, taking the meds on schedule, eating healthy (not that she didn't before), and her heart in now at 59% efficiency which is normal. Her doctors are incredibly pleased with her and now say she can lead a 'normal' life again. Her biggest battle is now mental, and believing she can do all those things again... We can only see what the future brings, but there should be no problem with doing cycling again.

 

[widowmaker]

I wish you all the best with the cardiologist, I'm no medical expert though but assume you will have to alter your training/rides etc, but sure you will still be able to throw a leg over your bike in the near future.

 

[Canuckbiker]

I'm in agreement with Kermit and also sympathize with stress & concerns you're going through

My experience with heart problems is different than yours but it may have similar implications to what you may be in for.

Almost three years ago at the age of 51 I suffered a heart attach that could easily have taken my life. Unaware, I had a severe blockage and other blockages around 40%. I had no warning signs. Out of the blue after working out early before work it hit me before leaving for work. The amazing local medical professionals saved my life all inside around 60 minutes of the 911 call placed by my wife. Quite a feat. They installed a stent where the large blockage was and I need to take meds I'll assume for the rest of my life. The meds did not sit well with me for the first couple weeks but thankfully my body adjusted and after those first couple weeks I did not suffer any objectionable side effects.

I get stress tested every year by my cardiologist and so far so good. My cardiologist figures the daily meds will hold off further blockage build up, also, I am supposed to be putting less bad stuff in my body and I am making a certain amount of effort but could do better.

Now to the point: in my situation I am encouraged by my cardiologist to be very active and exercise regularity as the heart can be strengthened by this but to listen to my body. I'm going to guess that the aftermath to your procedure may share similarities to my experience. Your ability to push you body in exercise will be governed by what your cardiologist sees though and could easily be different from my situation.

The best advise I can offer to think as positively as possible. As I mentioned, I'd hazard a guess you will not be giving up riding cross-country single track.

 

[The History Man]

Still here. Not a patch on your issue but hopefully helpful.

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/a-happy-ending-heartfelt-thanks-please-read.284892/

 

[Lhatch4]

Still here. Not a patch on your issue but hopefully helpful.

Thanks for sharing your story. It's a different situation but still very helpful to me. I actually do work in healthcare and I taught human anatomy and physiology for 7 years in my 30's. I have a good understanding of my condition. At this point my heart is still very healthy but the valve has deteriorated. Once it's replaced, I'm at increased risk of throwing blood clots that can result in a stroke. I will have to live on anticoagulant drugs. Traditionally, aortic valve replacements are done with open heart surgery. In the past few years a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been approved for my age group. That's one where they go into the artery in your leg and run it up to the heart to place the valve. I don't know if I personally will qualify for that one. If I do, it's a 2 week recovery rather than an 2 month recovery. In the long run I think there is an increased likelihood of stroke if I do a TAVR rather than the open heart version due to the construction of the valve. That's what I'm unsure of. I'm really looking forward to talking to the cardiologist to explore my options. I'll update my situation after I meet with the cardiologist. I appreciate the kind words from everyone. Thanks.

 

[Lhatch4]

I thought I would post an update here in case anyone is interested. I talked to the cardiologist on the 17th (last Friday). My heart function is completely normal. There is mild back flow into the heart through the bad valve. The valve is calcified and has moderate to severe narrowing. The artery just past the valve is stretched out. On March 8th I'm going back for more testing. I'll have a TEE. That's where they give me a general anesthetic to put me to sleep. Then slide an ultrasound camera down my throat to take more detailed pictures of my heart and valve. I'll likely have a treadmill stress test at some point after that. Until then, my life is just normal. No restrictions yet. It isn't determined yet why type of valve replacement will be best but the cardiologist is recommending that I don't get a TAVR. TAVR is the one where they go up through the artery in my leg and place it. He says its worse outcomes in my age demographic. They with crack me open when the time is right and either replace the valve or both the valve and stretched out artery.

 

[The History Man]

Sounds fairly straightforward if open heart surgery is ever that.

I hope you get it out of the way sooner than later. Modern medicine means lots of us are here that a generation ago would have been long gone or playing a very different hand.