Leaky valves

Question

I have 2 leaky valves and am not sure which ones. When I exercise my heart rate jumps all the way to the upper 190's. I am waiting on the results of my holter monitor, and on the results of my echo. What would thee advice be on exercise until I have a complete diagnosis as well as the severity of the leaky valves.

CTucker225 · Answer

Thanks for all of your input.  I am nervous about the upcoming appointment because I don't want to be told I can't exercise anymore.  I have been working for the past year to get my weight down.

One more question do you know if leaky valves could contribute to poor circulation?

Jerry_NJ · Answer

I may have not re-read you original post well, that why I quoted only the 160 bpm. I agree that of 180 is too high, especially if it is associated with moderate exercise.  I can say that a leaky valve didn't give me any heart rate problems as long as I was in sinus rhythm, which I have been for the majority of the time over the past 8 years (approximately). I have undergone 4 electrocardioversion to regain sinus, and it worked, even with a leaky valve.  As it now stands I no longer respond to electrocardioversion, and while my valve is not leaking any longer, I am short of breath and have high heart rate ... seems to be totally to the fact that I am in constant AFig...that's were the extra HB come from.  Still, walking around puts me at only100 bpm, or so, and walking an upgrade, not a vertical, puts me up around 120, but I still have to slow down because of becoming out-of-breath.  From this I conclude a mild leaky valve (I don't have a number for "mild:) does not cause high HR.

CTucker225 · Answer

You are being very helpful and I appreciate it.  I don't feel like the exercising bpm  of 160is alarming either the problem that I have is I can't keep my exercising bpm that low. During a 10 minute warm up in an aerobics class my heart rate is at 180-190 and if I continue moving around it climbs until I stop moving around.  The nurse said I could esercise, but even walking gets my heart rate as high as 180.

Jerry_NJ · Answer

A lot of people live their lives with leaky valves.  I had a know mitral leaky valve condition for years before I had to have heart surgery to prevent congestive heart failure, driven by the back pressure into my right (I think it is) atrium due to the leaky valve.  My right atrium was stretch, growing too large.  I had a successful surgery, and a repair was possible, that's good, but the AFib goes on, maybe due to the enlarged artium.  

At 30 an exercise bpm of 160 isn't alarming.  I don't fully understand how hard you are working.  I can say before my last loss of sinus, and while I still had the leaky valve, I would jog (10 minute miles) on level or slight grade and my bpm would go up to 150, and I as ok with that at the age of 65, may have been pushing things.

Hope some of what I tell you is helpful.

CTucker225 · Answer

Hi, thanks for the answer.  I am 30 years old.  the tech that did the echo told me about the leaky valves, but he didn't tell me the severity that is how I know that I have them.  Unfortunately I don't go back to the doctor until Nov. 3.  I have been trying to exercise, but I keep going over 160 within 10 minutes and that is my target from what they nurse told me when I called.  I just want to be able to exercise.

Jerry_NJ · Answer

You didn't say what your age is, but if you're over 40 years old, a pulse of 190 is way too high, stop.  How long will it take to get your testing done?  Surely not to long to go without aerobic exercise.  

How do you know you have leaky valves before the echocardio (I assume you are talking about) is in?  Doctor tell you that from what he heard on his stethoscope?