Career Choice

[Fitguy28]

Hi all,

I am a 28 year old man who has had two open heart surgeries for sub aortic stenosis. I now have a leaky aortic valve (mild-moderate). I exercise daily by jogging, cycling and lifting moderate weights.

I want to go back and study physiotherapy, however, my friend thinks that would be too much of an intense career choice for someone with a heart condition. What are your thoughts? I have been dreaming about this career for some time, and now that I have the opportunity to study it, I am having doubts. I feel a bit deflated and saddened by it all.

What are your thoughts?

All the best,

[Fitguy28]

No angina. I have been getting tired lately, but that could be from anxiety. I've also been getting pins/needles in my arm, which I think may be related to weight training.

[ed34]

Yes one thing in the guidelines is aortic stenosis for weights. Heart disease is allowed as long as there is no angina etc. In fact it has been discovered weight lifting is just as beneficial as cardio exercises, apart from aortic stenosis of course. I wouldn't be shocked if that changes over the next few years though.

[Fitguy28]

It seems like my heart condition is more common than I thought after scanning through the forum - is there any symptoms associated with this heart condition? I only ask because I seem to over breathe and seem to be to tired these days, but this could be very much from my anxiety and not related to my heart. When I am jogging/cycling, I am fine.

I am going to do a pre-physio foundation year in Sept, and there is two modules that I am somewhat concerned about if I mentioned them to my cardiologist, that is massage and pilates, but surely they won't be too intense?

Cycling is fantastic Ger, it is my main method of transport so I am always cycling. I know cycling is very popular in the Netherlands, so you're in the right place for it :)

[Ger57]

Yes, that makes sense :-) Regurgitation is subdivided into 5 categories: none, trace, mild, moderate and severe. A lot of people have mild regurgitation, so do not let that bother you.
Weight lifting increases blood pressure temporarily. With your history of aortic stenosis, I guess that is the reason he told you to stay away from HEAVY weights.

Don't let anxiety get hold of your life. Enjoy your jogging, cycling (my favorite sport too), and moderate weight lifting.

[Fitguy28]

Thanks for the reply Ger.

I have mild regurgitation, if that makes any sense? The cardiologist just told me to keep away from heavy weights, but to do as much cardiovascular exercise as I want.

I also suffer badly from anxiety.

[Ger57]

I assume that your sub aortic stenosis was solved with the two open heart surgeries and that you now "only" have to deal with the leaky aortic valve.
If you feel ok, I do not see a reason why the study and career in physiotherapy would be too much for you. Especially as this is a dream for you I would certainly go for it.
Physically, it will not be so much more demanding than the exercising you already do now. Mentally I think it is great for you if you "follow your heart".

Afaik there is no reason to think that the stenosis and valve leak would worsen from physical activity.