Peter's Journal

Steve Farthing  Ask your doc when it is safe to resume each of those activities but you will probably not have restrictions once fully healed and recovered. You may need cardiac rehab to get back up to speed sooner.

Should also ask doc whether it is safe to do the activities you mentioned prior to repairing the valve. Although you are doing them now does not mean it is safe to do them.

Cathleen Weed  It's not so much about your sternum healing as it is about protecting your new valve for it's life span. Your sternum, however they choose to open it, will heal just fine and you'll go back to totally normal. What you want to do is make sure that you don't put too much pressure on your new/repaired valve, and in your case that would mean powerlifting probably isn't a good idea. You can do plenty of other things though like lower weight and higher reps. You want to be smart about it because it's not worth ruining your valve. Working your way back up to high intensity sprints (within reason) and sports will happen. The squats and deadlifts are something you may need to rethink though. Do your research, talk to your doctors, and be smart about it. Best wishes with everything. 🌟🌟

Craig Wise  Peter, I'm 54, and up until my aortic valve replacement in May, I pursued similar exercise: heavy, intense weight-lifting, interval sprints, etc. And, like you; it has been a very important part of my life for a number of years. I believe Cathleen's comments are grounded in much personal knowledge and experience; definitely worth thoughtfully discussing with your medical team. I have to say, I've not yet recovered enough to even contemplate my prior exercise activities, and as a 54-yr old, wanting to avoid wearing down my tissue valve prematurely, I will be modifying my exercise program. I've had difficulty accepting and coming to terms with this. All of our cases are unique, so only you and your doctors can best advise you. I wish you the very best for surgery, recovery, and your journey beyond.

Kathy Blank  Peter- I am a life long runner who had robotic mitral valve repair at age 60. I didn't have to recover from sternotomy or mini sternotomy but I will share my recovery. I started cardiac rehab about 3-4 weeks post op. I wasn't allowed to run until 2 months post op. I could easily build endurance for 6 mile walk but it took way longer to regain my breathing w exertion. I had some pain in auxiliary breathing muscles in left neck- shoulder that I had treated with myotherapy. After 2 months I gradually was able to build back up to my 3 mike run - but I had to be very careful about dehydration. I also had one episode of rapid heart rate and one episode of fainting. You are much younger and I am sure you will do great!