concerning echocardiogram results FINAL UPDATE 3/12/2024

[Toon Raider]

Hi,

I am 68 in may, and obsessive about fitness. I train most days - Bike and Gym. I am very much into HIT Interval training and I think from your original email we have a lot in common.

An ECG shows an irregular heartbeat and after a "one off" Garmin reading of 245bpm i went to the UK NHS. I am extremely lucky in that I live within a mile of the premier UK cardiac hospital in the uk (world leading). They did an MRI scan amongst other things and show (in common with you) a problem with my Aortic Valve/Root. Its basically enlarged at 46mm in diameter, when normal for my size would be around 36/38mm. Intensive training shows that this is quite common for people who have athletic backgrounds, and train obsessively year in/year out.

The NHS also identified that i have a bicuspid Mitral Valve that occasionally leaks . (Tricuspid is the ideal).

BTW my resting heart-beat is 38 and my upper level is around 160bpm.

I am lucky in that I have raced events in Europe with x pros and one of them is a Heart Surgeon who have Premier League soccer players and some riders from the pro-peloton on his books. He has also won world class cycling events on the track, so is completely tuned into my obsession to enjoy "performance-based" training and cycling.

Lats October in parallel with by NHS program I did an evaluation of my heart with this Heart Surgeon who is also a Consultant for a Sports Medical Practice in the UK. We did a Ramp test (where i confess i held back a little) and that showed the performance of my heart and the ability of my body to process oxygen and different levels of stress (as watts increased over time).

The outcome was a recommendation on how to manage my cycling efforts and weight lifting . EG I now restrict my 5 minute intervals to under 5 mins and under 270 watts (previous i would do around 325/350 for 4/5 mins before backing off. I squat 4 sets of 5 x 60 kilos rather than 1 effort at close to 90 kilos (my body weight is 72 kilo).

My only medication is something called Losartan, which is designed to help with any High Blood Pressure .

I mention all the above to illustrate the benefit I had from going to a specialist Heart Surgeon /Consultant. My training is less performance orientation but my obsession/training please/need continues.

My plan going forward is to maintain my NHS/doctors monitoring but to do a Ramp Test/consulation with the private Heart Surgeon each october. This only costs around £1000UK.

I feel that I have Peace of Mind by going to a Specialist (the Heart Surgeon) who totally understands my drive to train, cycling and my type of train.

My recommendation is to do something similar if you are able.

Finally, i will PM you a letter i got from my Heart Surgeon/Consultant to show you the recommendations re training i got after my Ramp Test (just need to find it lol).

Kind regards
Alan

[Toon Raider]

Hi,

I am 68 in may, and obsessive about fitness. I train most days - Bike and Gym. I am very much into HIT Interval training and I think from your original email we have a lot in common.

An ECG shows an irregular heartbeat and after a "one off" Garmin reading of 245bpm i went to the UK NHS. I am extremely lucky in that I live within a mile of the premier UK cardiac hospital in the uk (world leading). They did an MRI scan amongst other things and show (in common with you) a problem with my Aortic Valve/Root. Its basically enlarged at 46mm in diameter, when normal for my size would be around 36/38mm. Intensive training shows that this is quite common for people who have athletic backgrounds, and train obsessively year in/year out.

The NHS also identified that i have a bicuspid Mitral Valve that occasionally leaks . (Tricuspid is the ideal).

BTW my resting heart-beat is 38 and my upper level is around 160bpm.

I am lucky in that I have raced events in Europe with x pros and one of them is a Heart Surgeon who have Premier League soccer players and some riders from the pro-peloton on his books. He has also won world class cycling events on the track, so is completely tuned into my obsession to enjoy "performance-based" training and cycling.

Lats October in parallel with by NHS program I did an evaluation of my heart with this Heart Surgeon who is also a Consultant for a Sports Medical Practice in the UK. We did a Ramp test (where i confess i held back a little) and that showed the performance of my heart and the ability of my body to process oxygen and different levels of stress (as watts increased over time).

The outcome was a recommendation on how to manage my cycling efforts and weight lifting . EG I now restrict my 5 minute intervals to under 5 mins (previous i would do around 325/350 for 4/5 mins before backing off. I squat 4 sets of 5 x
60 kilos rather than 1 effort at close to 90 kilos (my body weight is 72 kilo).

My only medication is something called Losartan, which is designed to help with any High Blood Pressure .

I mention all the above to illustrate the benefit I had from going to a specialist Heart Surgeon /Consultant. My training is less performance orientation but my obsession/training please/need continues.

My plan going forward is to maintain my NHS/doctors monitoring but to do a Ramp Test/consulation with the private Heart Surgeon each october. This only costs around £1000UK.

I feel that I have Peace of Mind by going to a Specialist (the Heart Surgeon) who totally understands my drive to train, cycling and my type of train.

My recommendation is to do something similar if you are able.

Finally, i will PM you a letter i got from my Heart Surgeon/Consultant to show you the recommendations re training i got after my Ramp Test (just need to find it lol).

Kind regards
Alan

[teleguy57]

Thanks again, all. Alan, I have your PM and will spend some time on it.

This will not be an ongoing report on everything I do, but in today's cardiac rehab session I was on a bike that displayed watts. After 20 min on a treadmill they had me do 20 minutes on the bike. At a Borg RPE of 11-12 (which was the target zone they gave me) I averaged 105 watts. Sure am glad I'm seeing this as the long game or one could be alarmed at a number like that...
I am positive about continuing to move forward.

[rnhood]

Bicuspid is normal for the mitral valve. Tricuspid is normal for the right atrium valve. Mild leakage from one of these valves is not uncommon on an aging heart. Not a big deal.

[teleguy57]

Six weeks to the day from my surgery. Yesterday had my 6-week follow up my surgeon’s office; getting transitioned back to working with my cardiologist (vs the surgeon) from here on out. Was reassuring to hear the team talk about how great I am doing, and how well I was looking. Still limited to lifting 15lbs until Mar 14, but after that “you can do anything you want, just work up to it rather than jumping in…”

My wife chimed in “oh, but you don’t know what that means – he loves to ride 100+ miles on his bike and ski in the woods for 4 hours, plus all the kettlebell and sled stuff at the gym. Shouldn’t he take it easier than that?”

RN smiled and said “we have a guy who wants to do a 150-mile ride in July, and he’s not even scheduled for surgery yet. Dr. Weiss told him he should be able to do his ride.”

My wife looked at me and just shook her head������. Sure glad she was in the room as she’d never believe me if I told her what the surgeon’s team said….

Continuing with the formal M/W/F cardiac rehab program (I get to start some mild intervals tomorrow) and am now up to another hour or so of aerobic work on the days between -- mostly spin bike and walking. Still a long way to go, but playing it as the long game and working on my patience. I'm very optimistic about getting back to all the activities I love.

[Ralph]

You will get there....and if you don't get back 100%....it's still better than the alternative!

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by teleguy57

Six weeks to the day from my surgery. Yesterday had my 6-week follow up my surgeon’s office; getting transitioned back to working with my cardiologist (vs the surgeon) from here on out. Was reassuring to hear the team talk about how great I am doing, and how well I was looking. Still limited to lifting 15lbs until Mar 14, but after that “you can do anything you want, just work up to it rather than jumping in…”

My wife chimed in “oh, but you don’t know what that means – he loves to ride 100+ miles on his bike and ski in the woods for 4 hours, plus all the kettlebell and sled stuff at the gym. Shouldn’t he take it easier than that?”

RN smiled and said “we have a guy who wants to do a 150-mile ride in July, and he’s not even scheduled for surgery yet. Dr. Weiss told him he should be able to do his ride.”

My wife looked at me and just shook her head������. Sure glad she was in the room as she’d never believe me if I told her what the surgeon’s team said….

Continuing with the formal M/W/F cardiac rehab program (I get to start some mild intervals tomorrow) and am now up to another hour or so of aerobic work on the days between -- mostly spin bike and walking. Still a long way to go, but playing it as the long game and working on my patience. I'm very optimistic about getting back to all the activities I love.

Super news, yippee!

[saab2000]

Outstanding update!

[teleguy57]

Unless something dramatic happens, this is my last post here to close out the topic.

Today is 3 months to the day following my open-heart surgery as you've followed along with me in this thread. A heartfelt (no pun intended) thank you to all who have commented here or reached out personally; what a great community we have.

Friday was my last day of my formal cardiac rehab program. And as of today I'm cleared by my surgeon for any and all activities. While my surgeon didn't want me on the roads with any risk of falling on my sternum, I've been riding my bike on the trainer (in the driveway recently with our warm winter in WI) as a complement to my structured rehab. I jumped the gun by two days and have been out on the road for an hour both Sunday and yesterday; planning on another ride today.

While I have some work to do to rebuild my capacity I've had two amazing rides so far. Kept to z2 on the upper end, but was comfortable both with the bike and handling (after all, it's just like riding a bike, yes? ) and felt good from both cardiovascular and muscular perspectives.

Still have some learning to do about my HR and riding since I'm on a beta-blocker but that will come with a little more experience. Thinking about goals and we have a beautiful century in Door County WI in 94 days, and the Ride Across Wisconsin mid August. The latter would be a big stretch, but given everything I've experienced I'm up for big stretches.

I am constantly aware of how well things have gone for me (and seen others in rehab who haven't been as blessed) and am grateful for everything that came together for me.

Hope to see some of you out on the road (Saab2000 and Plum Hill, I'm talking to you)

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[bigbill]

After an MI in late 2011, I was on beta blockers. I started riding my trainer in the basement when I was cleared for activity. I had a computrainer and ran it in erg mode, and even at 200 watts, it would take 10-15 minutes to get aerobic. I only took the beta blockers for about five weeks before the cardiologist stopped them.

[Ralph]

Originally Posted by bigbill

After an MI in late 2011, I was on beta blockers. I started riding my trainer in the basement when I was cleared for activity. I had a computrainer and ran it in erg mode, and even at 200 watts, it would take 10-15 minutes to get aerobic. I only took the beta blockers for about five weeks before the cardiologist stopped them.

I took BB's for a while, and convinced the cardiologists to let me stop. They lowered my heart rate so much when sitting around, I was cold all the time. And also caused insomnia....just couldn't get to sleep if I took one. I tried almost every one of them. Got a whole box of the pills left. The problems went away soon after I stopped.

And I understand they are a very useful drug in cardiac rehab.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by teleguy57

Friday was my last day of my formal cardiac rehab program. And as of today I'm cleared by my surgeon for any and all activities.

Awesome! That must feel just great. Enjoy life on the rebuilt!

[mass_biker]

Congrats on your progress.

I am 4+ months out from my own heart surgery (mitral valve repair) and back at it physically, with 100+ mile weeks on the bike, treadmill intervals for running etc. Yesterday did 3+ hours here in North County SD while visiting my in-laws…5K feet of climbing/55 miles, lots of it with the heart elevated. So it seems to be working!

Other than the occasional “numb” feeling in my chest area/around the incision, no adverse effects.

It does remind me thought to remain grateful for being alive and to get the most out of each day/each activity.

m_b

[saab2000]

Outstanding report!

[charliedid]

3 cheers!