Susan Campbell - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

8 days ago

Wondering if I could get some advice from other runners (or cyclers, swimmer, etc) out there. I am about 4.5 mo post surgical AVR with a bioprosthetic valve ...Read more

Wondering if I could get some advice from other runners (or cyclers, swimmer, etc) out there. I am about 4.5 mo post surgical AVR with a bioprosthetic valve and asc aorta replacement (5/5/23); my post-op course was complicated by atrial flutter (no episodes after the first month). Been in cardiac rehab for the past 3 mo and I will have my last session in 2 days.

11 years ago, I won a 5 mi trail run and ran my first half marathon, and then was diagnosed with a moderately stenosed bicuspid valve. My cardiologist recommended I stop running races but said I could run slowly. I had been running about 6.3 miles 3x/week and swimming about 1 mi 2x/week slowly for the past 10+ years prior to finding out my valve was critically stenosed in April 2023.

Recently, when I've tried to run intervals on the treadmill or swim my previous duration, I would feel okay during but feel delayed shortness of breath (normal rate and rhythm except some PVC's) for 1-2 days afterwards. I realized I was pushing myself too much too early. When did you start running (or do other more intense cardio)? How did you increase? Intervals? How long did it take for you to get back your previous conditioning, if at all? Thank you!

Ana Brusso Hello Susan, I’m not any of those things you mentioned. Just wanted to welcome you to our site of h ... Read more

Ana Brusso Hello Susan, I’m not any of those things you mentioned. Just wanted to welcome you to our site of heart warriors and wish you continued recovery. God bless you

Susan Campbell Thank you for the welcome and the well wishes, Ana. Blessings to you, too!

Jan Findlay Hi Susan
Yes, welcome. I think everyone is different - what do the people providing your cardiac ... Read more

Jan Findlay Hi Susan
Yes, welcome. I think everyone is different - what do the people providing your cardiac rehab say? Maybe just tone down a bit & start increasing again, a bit slower.

Marie Myers I did get back to playing tennis in about a year, but I don’t play as intensively as i did prior to ... Read more

Marie Myers I did get back to playing tennis in about a year, but I don’t play as intensively as i did prior to my tissue AVR and double aneurysm replacement surgery. I did not experience any symptoms as you have, but I did wait quite a bit longer. You might just need a little more “tincture of time”…

Cathleen Weed I waited 6 months before doing any intense training. I did cardiac rehab and then continued at my gy... Read more

Cathleen Weed I waited 6 months before doing any intense training. I did cardiac rehab and then continued at my gym with the bike and a moderate aerobics class for another three months. Your body is busy trying to heal not only your heart but your sternum as well. The body is always striving for homeostasis. It's going to respond differently to everything for awhile. Your electrolyte balance is more sensitive. Recovery takes longer right now. New medications change the physiology of the body as well. It's important to pace yourself. If you push too hard too fast you'll just end up with setbacks. You may get back to everything again, or you may find a new normal, just not as fast as you might like. "Can" and "Should" are two different things. Slow and steady wins the race.

Rita Savelis I think post-surgery can be hard on those who are athletes and in great shape because they want to be ... Read more

Rita Savelis I think post-surgery can be hard on those who are athletes and in great shape because they want to be back on track very quickly. As Cathleen wrote, your body has been through a lot. You can't see your heart but it is recovering and this affects a lot of things. Go easy on yourself even if it's difficult.

STEPHEN MORRIS It may be different because I am in Canada...but they sent me to cardiac rehab after discharge..excer ... Read more

STEPHEN MORRIS It may be different because I am in Canada...but they sent me to cardiac rehab after discharge..excercise and knowledge. It was great. I am a firefighter and am back to full duties. I play hockey sometimes 3 times a week. It does take time, but can be done.

Susan Campbell Wow, thanks everyone for all that great advice. I had this unrealistic expectation that I should be r ... Read more

Susan Campbell Wow, thanks everyone for all that great advice. I had this unrealistic expectation that I should be running, at least a little, before cardiac rehab ended. The staff there have always encouraged "listen to your body" and like Cathleen said, slow and steady is the best for cardiac recovery. I've spent my whole life pushing myself in everything so it's been a real adjustment to settle into slow healing... all of your resilience and positive attitudes are an inspiration to me.

Klara Čičić I am nowhere near your capacities and never was, but I cycled regularly slightly uphill before surger ... Read more

Klara Čičić I am nowhere near your capacities and never was, but I cycled regularly slightly uphill before surgery. Now I am one year post surgery and finally feel 100% confident and even better than before the surgery, I can do more cycling than before.4,5 months soundy preeeetty early to me. I was in cardiac rehab during that time I think, slowly gaining my strength...nowhere near how I feel now :) hope this helps. Give your body more time to recover....

Grace Mason Sounds like you are progressing well Susan. Best wishes to you in your continued recovery. It is goo... Read more

Grace Mason Sounds like you are progressing well Susan. Best wishes to you in your continued recovery. It is good to read your and others experiences to date

Rose Madura I'm no athlete by any means but I was similar to Klara. I ride my bike 🚲 regularly anywhere from ... Read more

Rose Madura I'm no athlete by any means but I was similar to Klara. I ride my bike 🚲 regularly anywhere from 6-15 miles. That's about what I did prior to surgery.