I was diagnosed with a medical condition about 4 years ago and since that time, lifestyle has really turned stagnant. The condition is life-threatening (which sucks, lol), but I am monitored twice a year to see if surgical intervention is required. Fortunately, the condition appears to be stabilized (at least for now, lol...I have learned to not dwell on it, it doesn't help anything). For those of you that are curious, I have a thoracic ascending aortic aneurysm accompanied by a bicuspid valve. Sounds intimidating huh? Go ahead and Google it; the condition is interesting to read about and nerve racking to have. Believe me, when I was told about this, I was completely floored! Anyhow, doctors tell me that I am doing more damage to myself remaining sedentary than if I were to re-introduce cardio and weights into life. The big catch is that I am restricted with respect to heavy weights (i.e. no bench pressing anymore, which once again sucks!). Anyhow, I'm looking for suggestions to develop a good in-home cardio and weight program (with light to moderate weights and/or resistance bands) that can achieve similar goals as normal workouts. All responses are welcome! Also, I feel this is a great way to network and make friends with similar goals (regardless of medical conditions, lol).
Ryan
Workouts for Medical Conditions
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
-
waterburyr
- STARTING OUT
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:14 am
Well I didn't have any time to really Google anything, but it seems after reading your post, you have some kind of blockage or narrowing in the main part of the Aorta, leading out of the Left Ventricle, if I assume correct.
Presumably the problem with the Valve is what exactly?
1. Stenosis, (not opening properly).
2. Incompetence, (not closing properly).
3. Regurgitation, (blood passing back through a valve), due to a valve prolasping, or stiffening and improper movement of connected valve tissues.
4. Other.
Just trying to work out what's going on, as if you were to induce Tachycardia through exercise, (100 bpm+), you'd need to make sure there wasn't any presence of stiffening of the Valve, or perhaps the Left Ventricle, (Diastolyc Dysfunction), or you might have a problem pumping the blood out of the Ventricle into the Aorta, at the increased rate.
Has the Doctor suggested anything that might help you, or given any ideas?
You see the thing is, you could start exercising, but at what level could the Heart cope? Could a high target heart rate, I.E. 220-age x 70-90% be too much, or would it be okay providing that figure didn't exceed 220-age x 90%?
I say these things as it may have some impact on what you could do, and if you exerted yourself too much, and couldn't deal with it, you might get into a really bad problem quite quickly, rather than just feeling a bit dizzy or breathless or something like that. Passing out or collapsing in the first 10 minutes of a workout, wouldn't be ideal.
I'm not saying don't exercise, but I'm cautious about what I say, incase it causes an issue for you, as I'm sure you'll appreciate.
Presumably the problem with the Valve is what exactly?
1. Stenosis, (not opening properly).
2. Incompetence, (not closing properly).
3. Regurgitation, (blood passing back through a valve), due to a valve prolasping, or stiffening and improper movement of connected valve tissues.
4. Other.
Just trying to work out what's going on, as if you were to induce Tachycardia through exercise, (100 bpm+), you'd need to make sure there wasn't any presence of stiffening of the Valve, or perhaps the Left Ventricle, (Diastolyc Dysfunction), or you might have a problem pumping the blood out of the Ventricle into the Aorta, at the increased rate.
Has the Doctor suggested anything that might help you, or given any ideas?
You see the thing is, you could start exercising, but at what level could the Heart cope? Could a high target heart rate, I.E. 220-age x 70-90% be too much, or would it be okay providing that figure didn't exceed 220-age x 90%?
I say these things as it may have some impact on what you could do, and if you exerted yourself too much, and couldn't deal with it, you might get into a really bad problem quite quickly, rather than just feeling a bit dizzy or breathless or something like that. Passing out or collapsing in the first 10 minutes of a workout, wouldn't be ideal.
I'm not saying don't exercise, but I'm cautious about what I say, incase it causes an issue for you, as I'm sure you'll appreciate.
I think it is inappropriate for non-medical personnel to design a program for you.
Ask your cardiologist for a physical therapist who will work with you to design the appropriate exercise program.
You can come back here if you have any questions regarding the execution of any of the prescribed exercises.
It sounds to me like this is an unacceptable risk for members here to offer up a program that potentially could kill you. You need to see a professional well-versed in this area to work with you on a program.
Ask your cardiologist for a physical therapist who will work with you to design the appropriate exercise program.
You can come back here if you have any questions regarding the execution of any of the prescribed exercises.
It sounds to me like this is an unacceptable risk for members here to offer up a program that potentially could kill you. You need to see a professional well-versed in this area to work with you on a program.