Doing nothing wont be great for my heart and wont extend my life neither probably.. I love running. The recovery from heart surgery can be hard to predict for any given patient, but we know that young otherwise healthy patients tend to do well. My son was just told he made the varsity basketball team as a freshman. They are able to see my son this Friday, which i am much more comfortable with! when I discussed this with my Dr. he reassured me that its not my heart causing it. My mother passed away last May following her second AVR. Ordinarily, we reserve operation for patients with severe aortic regurgitation who have some decrement in the LV function. Thats always the concern with new techniques with limited follow-up data. Youre right, though. Ascending aorta is normal and so the rest. We have contacted the Cleveland Clinic to learn more and will report back soon. Hi Dr. Creswell. looking forward for healthy life without surgery any possibilities??? Thanks so much for all this info! 27yr old male. What is a TAVR? My exercise is limited to 30 minutes of moderate carido, with no weights. Can you clarify what may not be true please? No enlargement of aorta or any other problems. This valve repair option is one that might best be pursued at a center that specializes in this problem. Film star, former California governor, and seven time winner of the Mr. Olympia title Arnold Schwarzenegger published positive images to his social media platforms on Friday as he recovered from heart surgery. There are many causes of light-headedness and chest discomfort that are not related to the heart. I am now in no mans land of not needing immediate surgery (per the pressure number in left ventricle) and not being able to run more than 30 min. There are several variations of this procedure that are applicable in specific situations. Who Qualifies for TAVR. The abnormal anatomy of the bicuspid aortic valve is complex, and a classification schema of 3 anatomical types has been proposed by Sievers and Schmidtke. When I had my valve replaced I was told that it would have a 20 year ish life but I think it should exceed that. I just thought it was muscle strain., My body cleared the blockage itself, said the game show host, who credited the aspirin he was taking for what he thought was simple muscle pain. Hello dear doctor. On April 16, 1997, Arnold Schwarzenegger underwent elective heart surgery to replace a defective, congenital aortic heart valve. My question is if my weight&lack of training or my BAV is the cause of difficulty in running. Hello Dr. Creswell, I do think that aspects of the martial arts are strength-related. Thanks a lot for your answers. I do not feel any of the effect of my condition when I run or workout. But, three heart valve surgeries! I can not be on anticoagulant medications on the fire department. What should i do? Patients with BAV who have a normal size aorta, with no stenosis or regurgitation of the aortic valve, can participate in sports without restriction. I have also had a stress test, which showed no issues at all. If the valve does not close completely, blood can leak into the heart. . Perhaps the best course of action might be to start off very conservative with exercise, as you are doing, with periodic assessment of the aortic valve and aorta with echo and CT. You might then gradually increase the activity and monitor for any bad signs with the periodic echos and CTs. Hes a 30-year-old 8th grade science teacher, a cyclist and outdoorsman, who is chronicling his story with BAVfrom diagnosis, to evaluation, to preparations for upcoming valve replacement surgery. Jeff/Doc, You might be wondering, with no disrespect to the great people of Cleveland, why Schwarzenegger, who surely has access to the finest hospitals under the sun, would choose to have surgery there. I dont have any ayptoms. I have 5 children, so I dont want to drop dead and leave my poor wife with them all to look after on her own. Im a 51 year old male who had aortic repair (5.8 cm) and bovine valve replacement AVR surgery 2 years ago. March 6, 2023, Erin Feaker He is very athletic. Enlargement of the left ventricle can be an indication that the heart suffers from the aortic regurgitation, even if the regurgitation doesnt produce symptoms like shortness of breath. Aortic valve repair is sometimes possible. I have bav with mild dilation of aorta 39mm. At 4.0 cm, its important to be thoughtful about activities. Four necropsy series5, 6, 8, 20 provide the only basis we have for estimating the incidence of bicuspid aortic valve in the adult population, as diagnosis by auscultation is insufficiently accurate and no relevant echocardiographic study has been published. In your experience how long are we talking before I have to have surgery and do beta blockers really help in prolonging the need for surgery. A bicuspid aortic valve is a congenital condition, meaning that people are born with two rather than the normal three cusps on their aortic valve. Do you think running 40 minutes five times a week at that level of beats can increase the aorta rate of growth ? We just saw the cardiologist in July and again same symptoms and no significant cardiac changes . Very much appreciate this site, thanks Larry for giving people like us a place to voice our concerns ! November Cover Star Gal Gadot Is in a League of Her Own A First Look at Diana and Margaret Thatcher in The Crown Season Four Celebs Roast Trump in Rhyme for John Lithgows Trumpty Dumpty Book Brace Yourself for George Clooneys Apocalyptic Movie The Midnight Sky The Best Shows and Movies Streaming This October Inside Netflixs Latest Binge-able Escape, Emily in Paris The Crowns Young Stars on Prince Charles and Princess Di From the Archive: How Hollywood Sharks, Mafia Kingpins, and Cinematic Geniuses Shaped The Godfather Not a subscriber? What advise can you give to someone in my position? The surgery involved a replacement heart valve made from a transplanted tissue sourced from his pulmonic valve. Most patients (like me), however, start to experience problems during their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Oh, plenty. The current guidelines suggest that sports activities do not need to be restricted for patients with BAV who have no valve regurgitation/stenosis and who have no enlargement of the nearby aorta. The video is just 1 min 42 sec long. This almost seems like an off the shelf answer and Id therefore be really keen to find out your thoughts? Hi, Fantastic website, there is very little actual information on this on the web. Today, echocardiography (ultrasound) for screening or diagnostic purposes for some other heart problem is the most common way that BAV is detected. I dont know what to do .. There is not much scientific evidence about what to expect. Patients whove had aortic valve replacement and/or replacement of the aorta will require life-long monitoring by their doctor, with periodic echocardiogram and/or chest CT scanning. What is the average life span of a tissue valve? Or, is it something that can wait until they get sports physicals in their teens? I have had three annual Echocardigrams, the first two showed mild stenosis, mild LV thickening. Considering the results of my stress test and TOE, do you think it could be my heart and should I seek 2nd opinion. I like to thank you in advance for reviewing my question and also, thank you for such a great blog. CT or MRI may be more accurate. I am an amateur runner, I do not participate in competitions. There are a multitude of patient-specific circumstances that must be considered when deciding if and when operation is needed. I had a scan done recently and they picked up a what they called a mild dilation of the aortic root at 47mm, ascending aorta 34mm, no other issues. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Shes quite the athlete. He told me to carry on as normal and to take 300mg Irbesartan per day. In fact, in some people they can go undiagnosed for years. Im not surprised that youve received a conservative recommendation about exercise. They dont know they have it [It] leaks blood. Im not aware of studies explicitly about athletes after Ross procedure for BAV. While she ended up being okay, she advised other women to be more cautious. Last few weeks Im getting chest pain on left side (very rarely on right side) while running and doing push ups. I mean, when competing, my average heart rate is close to 159 and my max HR is around 170. Search Heart Hospitals Do you have a congenital heart defect? PS: I noticed that the option Notify me of follow-up comments by email doesnt seem to work. Your doctor will be in the best position to know all of the relevant information and offer sound advice. I dont want to do any damage or compromise my homograft as the last surgery was a very difficult recovery. No aortic root dialation. Aortic enlargement in patients whove had valve replacement for BAV can be a vexing problem. In your experience, can patients with BAV go a lifetime without having AVR? The surgery was a full success, and the valve is closing really well now. Also I lift weights . You might keep in mind that trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can be used to re-replace the aortic valve. These operations can sometimes enjoy the benefits of each of the operations you mentioned.and avoid done of the down sides. No operation to replace/repair the aortic valve and yo replace the ascending aorta is minimally invasive. Thats just a marketing gimmick. Here are some celebrities that experienced severe heart valve defects and had to have either heart valve replacement and heart valve repair surgery. I have a call in to his doctor but what do you think? I had my AVR almost one year ago. I started experiencing palpitations last year along with several instances of light-headedness. Your surgeon will be in a good position to understand the exact details of operation that might be relevant when deciding whats safe.. The value of CT/MRI comes when a millimeter or two makes a difference in treatment, restrictions, surgery, etc. There are just so many causes of shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and chest pain.even besides the heart-related causes. Specifically, Im wondering about inversions like forearm stand, head stand, and hand stand. Barbara Walters - Aortic Valve Replacement. however I have been getting pain (on the left side of my breast) and chest pain due to lack of oxygen. This international evidence-based nomenclature and classification consensus document is intended for universal use by clinicians, imaging specialists . Do you recommend any particular diet, exercise, vitamins,etc.? My surgeon basically said, Lets get you back to living your life. Cardiologists always say take it easy. For those same patients, we recommending avoiding strenuous dynamic exercise line swimming, running, soccer, tennis, cross-country skiing, etc. The incidence of bicuspid aortic valve and complications. My cardiologist Said to not lift heavy weights. The ST junction and ascending aorta are mildly dilated max 35mm. And he never had any symptoms and played competitive soccer since he was 6. Im 39 also diagnosed with BAV when I was 31. You should discuss this possibility with your doctor(s). But like a lot of women, I thought that heart disease was an old white guys disease," the former talk show, 56, host tells PEOPLE. Thank you! Enlarged lv 37/58 mm rf 65 fs 36 Easy bicycling might work, but I suspect that running wont be workable with that cap. I feel as though Im recovering well and, having no other conditions or comorbidities, rapidly. TAVR is a relTively new technology where a new heart valve, shrunk onto a catheter, can be threaded through the bloodstream (usually through a leg artery) to where your current valve sits.and then expanded inside the current valve, pushing it aside. Ive been told by my cardiologist that they think I should probably avoid competitive rowing and weight lifting. Ever since undergoing open heart surgery in 2010 for her surprise diagnosis of heart disease, Jones has worked as a national ambassador for the American Heart Association to raise awareness. I think you understand the guidelines correctly. "Until then, stay close.. Maybe a genewho knows. Yes, moderate aortic root dilation can remain stable. Lack of breath? You have a good understanding of the issues. Get on with it. My mom [and aunt] passed away [in their 60s from heart disease], and my dad had a heart attack when I was around 10 and he had a triple bypass, the actress told PEOPLE. I took it up 7 years ago. Most children with BAV will remain without symptoms until adulthood. I ran competively for a division 1 NCAA university through college and have maintained a high level of physical fitness since. The doctor looked at the results and told me to limit physical activity (running), because it can lead to heart failure in future. If Im trying to do 10 it will be harder to get those 2 up but it wasnt that hard before. Very often, the specialists office will make note of the patients problem and make appropriate decisions about whether routine or urgent appointment scheduling is needed. , Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease, Acquired Valve Disease. The aortic valve allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the heart to the aorta. celebrities including musicians, actors, TV personalities, politicians, entertainers, and sports figures, etc. While I no longer due very strenuous activities, I still play softball, golf, kayak, ski, and do play hockey every now and again. I was only diagnosed with BAV after a routine examination and only because my company has increased in size above a threshold at which all employees are supposed to be subjected to this examination (weird law in Belgium). After the first month, patients are generally allowed to return gradually to all of their previous activities. Others won't have symptoms until adulthood, if ever. O'Donnell suffered a heart attack in 2012, and wrote about her experience on her blog. The doctor allows me to do moderate sport defined by her like not 20k each day; 20k per week should be fine. Many patients with surgery for BAV, even if it involves aortic root replacement, lead rather normal lives afterwards. I got Edwards magna perimount 25mm bovine AV and Valsava graft for aortic root replacement. In general, the larger (in diameter) the substitute valve is, the less aortic stenosis it will produce. However my Sinus of valsalva is dilated between 45-47mm (depending on the machine used). And, of course, aortic stenosis can affect ones native aortic valve or a prosthetic valve substitute. The Institute is a unique collaboration of cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons, cardiologists, pulmonologists and basic scientists all working together without the boundaries of departments or specialties. 1. Any guidelines? Kimberly has experienced heart valve disease firsthand. They are located between the ventricles and their corresponding artery, and . A bicuspid aortic valve only has two of these leaflets. Dr. Larry, thank you very much for your blog! As Schwarzenegger previously had two cardiac procedures, it is possible that Arnold may have received aTAVR using a Valve-in-Valve approach to replace his failing aortic tissue valve that was implanted in 1997. They ruled out Marfans syndrome because his aorta was dilating. His cardiologist said he cant play. Its always good that investigators are looking for new solutions to old problems. An early indicator of BAV is a heart murmur, which is an abnormal sound caused by the turbulent . Since then I completed several 10k races and one half-marathon. Hey is a frustrated guy. And, of course, its important to monitor over time the function of the prosthetic aortic valve and the size of the aorta. I think its reasonable to think of things this way. Is this a normal side effect of the heart condition or not? I currently run 40 -50km a week and do two 2 hour intensive yoga sessions a week. The fusion (sticking together) of the valve leaflets causes abnormal valve opening and closing. Im highly considering this option, after 4 months of research and appointments with doctors. Operation is needed if there is severe aortic valve stenosis, severe valve regurgitation, or significant enlargement of the aorta. Im used to long runs up to 12 miles at an average 6 minute per mile pace as well as fast interval and farther training. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) in conjunction with the American Heart Association (AHA) has issued guidelines for the evaluation, monitoring, and treatment of individuals with BAV: In my opinion, these are useful guidelines for athletes and non-athletes, alike. Im not sure theres enough information at hand to offer sound advice. At the USC Cardiovascular Thoracic Institute, we are dedicated to improving the statistics concerning cardiovascular and thoracic disease such as those once faced by the governor, said Starnes, who also serves as executive director of the Institute. If the valve is smaller than needed, there can be a limit to the ability of the heart to do extra workand that can show up as less speed. In late March, Schwarzenegger was heavily involved in a chess tournament with his donkey Lulu. Aortic replacement. After 5 years of amateur competitive rowing, I had no problems keeping up with my peers whilst training at lower intensities. Its awesome to see you are diligent at responding to people also. But Bob, you confirm that it does for you; and unfortunately I see same for me although 25 years younger. From afar, its hard to know what might be responsible for your symptoms. Bicuspid aortic valve (aka BAV) is a form of heart disease in which two of the leaflets of the aortic valve fuse during development in the womb resulting in a two-leaflet (bicuspid) valve instead of the normal three-leaflet (tricuspid) valve. Consult your doctor to see if there are any restrictions that would be specific to your case. Sadly, most school/sports physical exam programs dont include echocardiogram.and the absence of a heart murmur in a child wouldnt preclude the diagnosis. The doc says the big risk is due to the blood thinners. Perhaps you could print out the diagram, take it with you to the cardiologist, and ask him/her to circle the forms of exercise that would be safe in your case. with valve area of 1.4 cm2 and aorta of 4.1 cms Based on the information Ive provided, I would greatly appreciate your advice and opinion on the matter. Dwayne E. Russell The doctors tell me I will be able to run again at a level near to what Im accustomed to (50-60 miles per week) but are reluctant at this point to specifically tell me the limitations and restrictions Im to endure. He seen our family doctor that week who confirmed the murmur. Aortic valve stenosis: Your aortic valve narrows, reducing blood flow through it. Celebrity. "I am lucky to be here.". and my valve is working quite well (mild aortic regurgitation). I read most of the posts above and I didnt find people describing the decrease in performance due to the BAV. Is it right to declared someone having BAV unfit for the post of a chemist? The actress, 44, found out she had a leaky valve in 2002. Thank you for your time Dr.! Check out Anthony DiLemmes blog, Anthonys Heart Valve Replacement Saga. I met an old guy once after a run and he described me very well his running experience; he said when I accelerate, Im the only one to know. I am 31 years old and had my BAV repaired at The Cleveland Clinic in 1999 when I was 15. Therefore, people . The timing is my choice.. Defects can involve the walls or valves of the heart, or they may affect the arteries and veins near the heart. transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), Mick Jagger's Heart Valve Surgery: Top 5 Facts. Anyway, I will continue with running as much as I can, and now I have an excuse for my lousy performance. My performance as a cyclistgiven my ageputs me in the elite category, although with the stenosis I am experiencing a definite decline in performance. I was to the understanding that the aneurysms caused in bav patients was due to the problematic bav valve causing uneven blood flow to cause uneven pressure on the aorta. Thats about as specific as he got. We also sign a school waiver every year. It may cope adequately for a few years if the person leads a sedentary life, but the longer crucial surgery is delayed, the more damage there will be to . One doctor to told me just to control it and train as I like but the other one said that with those hearts parameters I will have only 1-2% to have operation in the future but if I will continue to do triathlon for sure I will have to have one.