Heart rate keeps going over 180 throughout exercise

[Diblet]

Hi

I had a tissue aortic valve replacement 5 years ago. After a steady recovery I've been attending a gym and classes for years with no trouble. However this last 2 weeks I've noticed my heart rate keeps hitting over the maximum heart rate throughout my whole spin class or when I run. I'm also struggling to breath when walking uphill. I'm very active and this has only just started happening. Anyone else had this happen? Or is it just me getting older. I'm 49.

Thanks

Sue

[road2ruin]

Hi Diblet,

Not you getting old, 49 years young

I would go and see my GP at first call. Having a tissue valve at 44 is quite young and they do suffer from problems in younger patients. It might be leaking a bit.

Best of luck.

Peter

[Diblet in reply to road2ruin]

Thank you, I will try and get a telephone appointment!!

[Crochetwoman in reply to road2ruin]

I too suggest that you see your gp for a wee MOT. This is new to you so you need to tell them about it.My heart rate gains about 5 extra (155) when exercising in warm temperatures - 20c is my trigger point, I live in Scotland so that is summer 😆. The same applied to when I went my long walks and met a hill. Body able but lack of breath. After nearly 4 years of being on Bisoprolol I was swapped to Ivabradine and the difference it gives is brilliant. No cold extremities either.

I had a stemi not an aortic valve replacement so apologies if this isn’t relevant.

You don’t mention what drugs you are on, if any, but don’t presume they won’t need tweaked every now and then.

Let us know how you get on.

[Diblet in reply to Crochetwoman]

Thank you, no drugs at present only daily aspirin, heart at rest is normally 55 so bisprolol would make me like a zombie 🤣

[Hidden]

Dear Diblet

You are not getting older { that is just a rumour spread by the Birthday industry! } but, and its a big but, I am afraid you need to get this problem looked at.

You of all people know their own body and its telling you that its not right at the moment, why that is, I am sorry that I’m not medically trained to say, but you know the people that are, get it sorted and get back to your life without this worry hanging over you.

take care you are in my thoughts…….. Getting older? Tut you are just beginning to live, enjoy every moment ahead of you.

[Diblet in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

See your GP as others have suggested, since its a stepwise change in your body. And in the meantime I suggest you throttle back a little on your exercise activities until you are advised otherwise. Are you measuring your BP?

[Diblet in reply to Hidden]

I know I should hold back but then my mental state takes a battering!! BP is fine at moment. Thank you 😊

[Hidden in reply to Diblet]

If you have health issues you have to balance your lifestyle to ensure the best overall outcome for your wellbeing. So in this case it may be wise to tone down your exercise activities for the time being and simply cope with the disapppointment of doing that, just like you would have to reign in if you had a virus infection. If you don't you might be running the risk of doing something seriously harmful to your body, however small that risk might be. Surely that makes sense for what might only be a few days of holding back until you get to see your GP.

[Diblet in reply to Hidden]

I've emailed gp so hopefully it's just nothing!!

[080311]

Hello Diblet,

I too have a tissue replacement valve, mine is nearly 6 years old. Had what they call a 5 year review 6 weeks ago (I live in Scotland) my echocardiogram showed one of my numbers was up a bit they said where they would expect it to be after 5 years though it’s nearly 6.

We do have a shelf life with a tissue valve, so as already been said you should really see your GP to get these symptoms looked at. Have you had an echo lately? Maybe something you should ask about.

Hopefully you can find out what is going on quickly.

Best wishes Pauline

[Diblet in reply to 080311]

Thank you , I have a yearly echo ehich which is overdue now so I'm just waiting!!

[080311 in reply to Diblet]

Yes I had annual echo though not during the pandemic. So the one in June was the first since 2019. Have just received an appointment for next June for my next echo! If you’re symptoms are new to you then you really need them looked at.

Pauline

[Diblet]

It's scarey how quickly anything can change from one echo to another!! I have emailed my gp !

[tapfoot]

Hi Diblet, by sheer coincidence I had my 2 year review yesterday for my tissue aortic valve. I was surprised when the consultant started asking why I chose a tissue one, as they have a shelf life. I explained I had taken the advice of the surgeon. He was keen to remind me that after 7 years, they start to monitor more closely as they expect some deterioration to show by then. I have been totally happy with my choice, but don't exercise as much as you do due to other limiting factors. I echo all the advice you've been given and hope you'll get an appointment and reassurance or an explanation soon.

[Diblet in reply to tapfoot]

Thank you, that's really helpful. I didn't know they monitor closely from 7 years. I hope it's not deteriorated already but sounds possible!! Hope yours is good!

[tapfoot in reply to Diblet]

Thanks - mine hasn't had a thorough workout yet! The occasional zipwire with the grandchildren in the park, and lots of walking! My hospital is the Freeman in Newcastle, which is a cardio specialist. I was surprised to be told about the 7 year monitoring too, but it may just be their own practice. Best of luck.

[Wooodsie]

Hi Sue, just a thought, but you haven't changed your monitor lately have you? Otherwise, I agree with all the others, get it checked!!!

Steve

[Hidden]

Hi, I am on the waiting list for an AVR and have opted for a tissue valve. Do you mind me asking which valve you have?x

[Diblet in reply to Hidden]

Hi of course I don't mind, ask away! I had a bovine valve and so far it has been brilliant, it may not be the valve that is the issue now.

[Hidden in reply to Diblet]

Glad to hear its been good so far and I hope you get some positive news from your GP

[nilmonisikdar40]

So sorry to learn that you were not well after years of good health and fitness following the major procedure on aortic valve replacement. You need to have a check out with the cardiac people through your GP. Get well soon, Age is a number and that's it. Big business of birthday industry.

[Diblet in reply to nilmonisikdar40]

Thank you

[Hidden]

Hi Diblet, In my experience, Five years is early to have issues with a Tissue Valve, so I would certainly suggest having it checked out. I had my first AVR at 33yo in 1994 and went for a Tissue which continued working well until 2013 at almost 19 years, so they can and do last a lot longer. I had no restrictions, although reviews became biannual at about 15 years.

Hopefully, it's just a blip and isn't any cause for concern.

[Diblet in reply to Hidden]

Thank you that's reassuring, fingers crossed its nothing too bad!