Should I do any exercise with a severely leaking mitral valve

[spikynana]

I have always walked every day, but now as my cardiologist has just told me I have severe mitral regurgitation and I live on top of a hill, woud I be wise to just walk around my garden instead? I want to keep as fit as possible before my op, but obviously not if it will be detramental to my health. I also have paroxymal atrial fibrillation

[Stumpy47]

The people to ask frankly are your Cardio & GP. I could give you entirely the wrong advice.

[Galileo]

Hi.

I would definitely seek professional advice too. I had severe mitral regurgitation and AF prior to my surgery a couple of years ago. I'm in my fifties and used to go running a couple of times a week, but sudden breathlessness revealed my condition, so that had to stop. Following advice, I started to walk for fitness, which initially included slopes, but in the final months leading up to the surgery I was only comfortable walking on level ground. I would suggest doing whatever feels comfortable for you and avoid getting breathless. But get some feedback from your cardiologist first.

[spikynana in reply to Galileo]

Many thanks, I will speak to my cardiologist. My Gp keeps telling me I can do as much as I want, but in this current climate I’m pretty nervous in case it brings on my AF.

[Munkyboy]

I'm just going to repeat what has been said before. I had a very leaky aortic valve and spoke to my gp and cardiologist whose advise was to stay as active as I could without putting myself at risk. The better shape you are in going into surgery helps with recovery and the less weight you carry into the operation helps the surgeons and with recovery aswell. But please speak to your cardiologist and gp and get their advise for your case.

[spikynana in reply to Munkyboy]

Thank you, I will

[Art-99]

I have the same conditions as you, diagnosed a year ago and as I was asymptomatic, it came as a complete surprise. I will need surgery at some point but meantime want to stay as fit as possible. We live in a rural area and I like to walk but am concerned I might be over exerting myself on some of the inclines. Whilst I know I have a serious condition, I really don’t feel any different from how I felt before diagnosis . My cardiologist merely advised I avoid isometric exercises !

[Mark_tourguide in reply to Art-99]

Hi Art,

I guess you posted this some time ago! If you are still active on the site I’d be interested in how you are getting on as I have been diagnosed with MVP but am currently asymptomatic.

I am 56 so reluctant to have surgery but guess I’ll have to at some point. Are you under six month monitoring?

[spikynana]

Thank you for your advice. I was completely unaware of my condition until January when I had an extremely frightening attack of atrial fibrillation whilst walking with my walking group. I was rushed to hospital in an ambulance. After my first echocardiogram, I was told I had a moderately leaking mitral valve, but following my second, my cardiologist sent a letter on Wednesday to say he was mistaken and it’s now severe. I am an otherwise fit 62 year old and my daily walks, particularly during this lockdown are a huge part of my life. My symptoms have just started to worsen significantly in the last 2 weeks; perfect timing!