Exercise

[Oldmasons]

How soon after valve replacement can I start riding my bike again? It’s an electric bike if that makes a difference.

[Nic25]

As my bike is currently a ball of rust in the shed it wasn't an issue for me after my AVR but personally I'd treat it like driving, so at least 6-8 weeks?

There are likely to be issues around straining the sternum when steering or pulling on the handlebars when going uphill, road/track jarring and vibration etc, not to mention issues any knocks or collisions when your sternum isn't full healed; none of which you'll want, believe me! But bear in mind everyone heals differently and personally I'd err on the side of caution.

A cardiac rehab nurse, cardiology nurse or BHF nurse will also obviously be able to give more expert advice than me. But that'd be what I'd suggest from my personal experience of the healing process. Hope that helps!

And good luck if you're pre-op. Cheers Nic x

[Oldmasons in reply to Nic25]

All good advice, thank you and much appreciated

[Dj1962]

I'm a keen cyclist, after my bypass surgery I was told at least 12 weeks, and had to be extra careful due to the sternum being very fragile..

[Mikedabike]

Hello, I’m a keen cyclist. I think I waited at least 4 to 5 months before returning to my bike. I just felt much safer gradually increasing the length and strenuousness of my hillwalking. When I initially got back on my bike. I took it very steady as I live in a very hilly area. It took some time to very slowly build up my cycling stamina. I just started by doing short figure of eight loops in my local area, then gradually building things up.

[COYW]

I’d get a turbo and build Leg strength and confidence indoors. I’ve not had that surgery but sitting on a turbo gently pedalling just to Get a feel for cycling again can’t do much harm. But of course ask your GP.

[Ianc2]

HI OldmasonsIt takes between 8 to 12 weeks before your sternum does its initial knitting together and it is at about this time that your rehab program of gentle exercises begin. These activities are designed to build fitness generally and to avoid stressing the ribcage. In the early stages it is held together by very fine wire and that's it.

Deep in the gubbins of your body there is a lot of fixing going on, nerves are being renewed, arteries healed, lungs re-inflated and scars being formed and settled. Your general fitness will come back but it will take a bit of time to return. If you try to over do it your body will let you know and you will find yourself falling asleep as soon as you sit down.

At this stage you might find it useful to check on what rehab is currently being offered where you live, where it is at, and how long it goes on for. Most of it is provided in stages and you will be able to monitor your progress as you go, as will the people running it. No magic pills, lovely lotions or fantastic fixes, just steady gentle exercise with incremental improvement while you get used to your body mending and listen to the sound of your refurbished heart whooshing away.

[Oldmasons in reply to Ianc2]

Really helpful comments, thank you

[Midgeymoo17]

I was a allowed to use a stationary bike as part of Cardiac Rehab. Started Rehab around 6 weeks post valve replacement. Obviously stationary bike is a bit different with no risk of crashing or pot holes etc. But if your favourite exercise is biking 🚴‍♀️ (if you could afford it) a cheap turbo trainer to clamp the back wheel and allow you to do some light exercise in that earlier phase would be ok. Get someone else to set it up though, I did not explicitly ask about cycling as it is not my favourite, but my favourite exercise is swimming that does put siginificant strain on the shoulders and breastbone. My surgeon said 6-8weeks rehab team said 12. My experience was it should have been 12.