![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/Images\/exercise-heart.gif\")
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Leticia writes, “Hi Adam, I have been diagnosed with a bi-cuspid aortic heart valve<\/a>. I have\u00a0no symptoms or shortness of breath. My cardiologist hopes I can go for another 10 years without surgery. I’m concerned about my hobbies, which are aerobics and I teach ballet. I love my exercise and my doctor states that I don’t have to change my lifestyle unless I’m feeling symptoms. I’ve just read stories about athletic people having to reduce activity until after surgery. I don’t want to pass out one day and seriously injure or kill myself. Do you have any other info on exercise and bi-cuspid aortic heart valve? Thank you, Leticia”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Leticia alludes, valvular disorders can negatively impact heart function during exercise for patients prior to heart valve surgery.<\/p>\n In fact, I just posted a patient story about\u00a0Randy, from Wisconsin, who fainted while bike riding due to\u00a0a bicuspid aortic valve<\/a>. (Thankfully, everything worked out\u00a0okay for\u00a0Randy.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the same time, other patients – under medical supervision – engage in\u00a0exercise to\u00a0enhance their\u00a0physical condition prior to heart valve surgery. For example, Sylvia Woolworth lost 35 pounds<\/a> leading up to her\u00a0heart valve replacement.<\/p>\n As for me, my cardiologist restricted all exercise when it was determined that I\u00a0needed an aortic valve replacement.\u00a0However, I was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, severe regurgitation and a dilated heart. Like Leticia, I was born with a congenital bicuspid aortic valve.<\/p>\n Specific to Leticia’s\u00a0situation, I do not know\u00a0the specific details of her\u00a0valve disease progression (e.g. mild, moderate, or severe). That said, I would suggest that Leticia contact her cardiologist to better understand the severity of the disorder and its impact upon her exercise routine, if any.<\/p>\n One last note… I would also suggest to Leticia that\u00a0symptom manifestation\u00a0may not be the best, definitive\u00a0indicator for timing heart valve surgery. So you know, I was asymptomatic<\/em> but\u00a0my heart was already enlarged. That said,\u00a0I think all patients should be\u00a0actively monitored\u00a0on a yearly basis following initial diagnosis.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/Images\/randy-heart-scar.jpg\")
\nRandy – Fainted During Bike Riding<\/div>\n![\"Sylvia](\"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/Images\/sylvia-woolworth.jpg\")
\nSylvia – Lost 35 Pounds<\/p>\n