It’s quite normal to get that doubt that shall we exercise after the aortic valve replacement. We are here to clarify that doubt. Heart-related surgeries are really a great deal, and looking after them is crucial. Further, let’s dive into this blog to know whether you can exercise after an aortic valve replacement.
What is aortic valve replacement?
Before seeing shall an individual can exercise after aortic valve replacement, you need to know what aortic valve replacement is. In the aortic valve replacement procedure, one of your damaged heart valves will be replaced with a new one. This can be a mechanical valve or a biological one from animal tissue. The aim of performing this procedure is to improve blood flow and alleviate signs such as shortness of breath and chest pain.
An individual needs this surgery if they experience issues like narrowing of the valve (aortic stenosis), or leaking of the valve (aortic regurgitation). These conditions will make your heart beat faster than usual, resulting in dizziness, fatigue, and heart failure.
What is the recovery process?
Once the aortic valve replacement surgery is done, almost for a week you will be staying in the hospital, and you will be closely monitored, just to ensure that your body starts to heal. In the initial days, you will feel some level of soreness and tiredness, but that’s normal. The actual recovery begins when you’re home. To completely recover from this condition, it will take weeks to months. You should do frequent screening with your cardiologist to ensure that everything is on track. Simply, you can get the best aortic valve disease treatment in Coimbatore.
When to consult your cardiologist?
Before initiating any exercise, consult with your doctor, because they will offer you personalized advice depending on your condition and progress. That is just to ensure that you are not overdoing it and that it will not disturb your aortic valve replacement.
Be open about your concerns and fitness goals to your doctor, and further, ask them when and what type of exercise you should prefer. They will greatly assist you in crafting a safe and effective exercise plan.
What is the role of exercise in recovery?
Exercise plays a key role in the recovery process after aortic valve replacement. It mainly helps to improve your heart’s efficiency, enhance your mood, and also increase your overall stamina. But, always remember that you need to approach it with proper guidance.
You cannot do all the exercise after heart valve replacement, notably post-surgery because all the exercises are not equally created. You can try low-impact activities like cycling, swimming, walking, or light stretching. All these exercises will help improve your circulation without adding too much strain to your heart.
How to start the exercises after aortic valve replacement?
– Slow walking:
Walking is the first step in getting back to your physical activity, after aortic valve replacement. Always initiate with gentle and short walks and slowly increase the duration. This low-impact exercise will greatly improve your cardiovascular health without stressing your new valve.
– Breathing exercise:
The next greatest exercise is breathing exercise. They assist in strengthening your respiratory muscles and improving oxygen flow. Also, try deep breathing exercises many times a day, after aortic valve replacement for fat recovery.
– Aerobic exercise:
Aerobic exercises like walking, cycling, and swimming are better options to maintain your heart health after aortic valve replacement. They also assist in improving blood circulation and developing endurance.
– Strength training:
Strength training will also be beneficial, but always start with caution. Begin with light weights and concentrate on high-repetition, low-resistance exercises. Never lift heavy weights, notably in the initial stages post aortic valve replacement.
– Flexibility exercises:
Prefer some flexibility exercises like yoga or gentle stretching, which will help in improving your range of motion and reduce stiffness, post aortic valve replacement. Also, ensure that you are not adding too much pressure to your chest.
– Increase intensity over time:
Once you start feeling stronger, you can start doing some intensity workouts. That is, initially if you are doing slow walking turn them into longer walks, or add some light jogging, or little challenging exercises. But, always listen to your body and slowly increase the intensity workouts after aortic valve replacement.
– Monitor your body’s response:
Always closely observe how your body responds to exercise. In case, you are facing dizziness, chest pain, or excessive fatigue, stop doing that exercise immediately and reach out to your doctor.
What are the exercises to be avoided?
Never try high-intensity workouts such as (High-Intensity Interval Training), which can add too much pressure to your heart. Just go with moderate, steady-paced exercises after aortic valve replacement. Further, avoid contact sports like football, basketball, or rugby which can develop a significant risk just because the physical contact and chances of injury are high.
It is crucial to understand when to stop, whenever you are experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, or dizziness immediately stop doing that exercise and seek medical advice. This is a direct sign that your heart is under too much strain.
What are the benefits of exercising after surgery?
Consistent exercise can enhance your heart health, making it stronger and more efficient after aortic valve replacement. This will improve your overall health, and help you to live longer. Apart from physical health benefits, exercise is great for your mind too. It will reduce your stress levels, enhance your mood, and boost your energy levels.
How to overcome the challenges?
Post-surgery, it is very normal to experience some level of physical limitations. Start slowly and never stress yourself. Just remember that you need to focus on consistency, not on intensity.
Further, the mental barriers can also be challenging like physical ones. Just concentrate on your progress, whether it is small or big. Always remember that recovery is a journey. Reach out to a cardiac surgery hospital in Coimbatore to get better treatment and complete recovery.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, we can say that exercising after aortic valve replacement surgery is highly recommended, and it positively impacts your health when doing that at low-intensity. With the appropriate approach and medical help, you can safely get back to physical activity and enjoy a healthier life happily. Just keep in mind that start gradually, listen to your body, and get suggestions from your doctor throughout the journey.
