Using fitness equipment with mechanical heart valves

[Tiktok1983]

Hi everyone,was wondering if anyone on here has had a mechanical heart valve fitted and resumed previous fitness training,more specifically martial arts and associated training of punch bag and pad work etc.I’m early recovery post op but would like idea of limitations.is it ok to use punch bag with mechanical valve with vibration etc?any comments much appreciated.thank u all,Gary

[Sammybear2]

Hi TiktokThanks for asking this question. I practised martial arts for 46 years until I became ill in 2019, had a quadruple heart bypass in July 2020, so currently six months post op. I haven't done anything physical since then when previously I trained every day. I'm wary of starting anything involving upper body work and would like to know when it would be safe to do so as I'm missing it terribly.

I do lots of walking so it's not as if I've resigned myself to inactivity ad infinitum.

I'd be very interested in any responses you get.

Cheers

Kevin

[Tiktok1983 in reply to Sammybear2]

Hi Kevin,thank you for your reply and wow 46 years!good on you mate.I will let you know if I get any feedback at all Kevin,wether on this page or by a doctor,surgeon,rehab team etc.wish u all the best and speedy recovery

[Sammybear2 in reply to Tiktok1983]

Cheers Tiktok, I'd appreciate that. I'm sort of giving myself permission not to exercise, beyond walking 2-3 hours at least four times weekly but almost seven months past my operation I'm starting to wonder whether or not it would be safe to start again. I successfully completed the 8 week cardio rehab in about October but still feel as if I need professional guidance

[Stevo1979]

Hi.mate, Mechanical Valve fitted 2 years ago aged 39, before op i wasn't a gym goer or any exercise apart from walking the dog, I now have a running machine, rowing machine and go to a military style fitness bootcamp 3 or 4 times a week. Definitely a lot fitter now than before my op!! I would check with GP and consultants before doing anything but mine were happy to let me do it. Punch bag and pad work im not sure about with the warfarin you may bruise easily/ damage yourself??? Unsure but would love to hear any advice u get because I was thinking of getting a bag too!! As for the vibrations last year I used a large kango hammer to break up an old concrete base out my back with no problems but I do remember thinking afterwards was that a good idea, should I have done that?? Lol, but I'm still here so I guess it was ok!! Just remember any doubts always ask your GP or Consultants, if I ever have to use tools like that again I will definitely make sure beforehand!! Good luck

[Tiktok1983]

Steveo1979,thank you so much for your response and information you have given me with regards to some of the exercises you are doing and general advice it’s much appreciated,I’ll let everyone know what the outcome is as soon as I’ve spoken to doctor/surgeon/rehab team and thanks again mate,be well.

[andy110519]

Hi, I had a mechanical valve put in last May & one point raised by the cardiologist about mechanical or not was whether I did judo or similar as it is not advisable to do so on warfarin. I didn't so it wasn't a problem.In terms of fitness I run a 5k as fast as before and was back swimming faster than most in the public session before the current lockdown.

Good luck with your recovery.

Andy

[Tiktok1983 in reply to andy110519]

Thank you so much for your advice Andy,I think my days of martial arts are over as far as sparring etc goes but I was wondering about pad work and bag work also.striking an object be ok u think or could vibration from strike cause harm?I’ll need to see my cardiologist at my 1st appointment about it,I’m trying to gain as much information as I can from everyone while I’m still healing.thank u again Andy,be well

[Sammybear2 in reply to Tiktok1983]

Tiktok this is uncanny. You're almost taking the words out of my mouth ! I really miss sparring but have come to terms with not being able to do that anymore, I'm 67 ( just) but was " bang at it" before I became ill. I was doing GoJu Ryu but have mainly practised Shukokai.There is a chap who had a triple heart bypass and went back to karate training at a club in Manchester. I'll dig out the article as a reference.

[Tiktok1983 in reply to Sammybear2]

Thank u sammybear2,that’s a great devotion to martial arts u have there I obtained black belt in shotokan karate when I was 18,then went onto boxing,Brazilian jiu jitsu,Muay Thai and MMA over the years,can’t beat the feeling,hopefully I am still able to strike pads and punch bag i will be happy and content,just might not be able to strike as hard as I used to lol but I look forward to speaking to my cardiologist and anyone I can to gain a understanding of my limitations,thank u again sammybear2,I will keep in touch my friend.ps my real name is gary,I chose tik tok because of mechanical heart valve and the noise the thing makes lol