Aortic Valve and exercise

[markgp]

Hi, first post here and I'm sure my condition seems very trivial compared to some of the others I'm reading about. I am 64 and have a leaking aorta valve, and I'm told it is "moderate". I guess for a start thats a lot to be thankful for. My question is about exercise. I ride a bike quite regularly and try to do a couple of relatively gentle 50 mile or so rides per month. I''ve done this for about 10 years. I'm thinking about getting a road bike to speed up a bit, and also taking up running again - just to get up to 10k standard. Is this a positive thing or would I be putting unnecessary strain on my heart / valve? ...any comments, or anyone out there with similar experience - thanks

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Nobody here can really answer your question. You do need to talk to your GP/ cardiologist. The last thing you want to do is push it too far and have a cardiac event!

[Pipersky]

Hi - my mother has just been diagnosed with this too (&mitral valve) - can I ask you how they define moderate? We’ve not been given any indication as to the severity of her symptoms. What were your symptoms to get the ‘moderate’ tag?

Thanks

[markgp in reply to Pipersky]

You would have to ask her doctor about the definition, but in my case the condition was picked up initially by a doctor listening to the sound of by heart with her stethoscope. I then had various ecg and ultrasound examinations. To be honest, if I hadn't had those I wouldn't know that I had a problem - there are no day to day symptoms. I get tired from time to time, but not excessively, and I put that down to getting older (64) anyway. I take some comfort from the fact that the specialist cardiologist doesn't want to see me for another 2 years. Good luck to you and you mother...I would recommend a good long chat with her specialist, and don't read too much on the internet!