Heart Failure Support Group

It's me again. Two minor leaky heart valves. Told to have a great life but yet I am still freaking out. I have palpitations which I understand are not related. I am trying to relax and enjoy my blessings. Any other suggestions?

Does your doctor know about your palpatations? If not, let him/her know. The doctors will need to keep an eye on the valves. Just don't quit going to the doctor to have regular checkups. Good luck.

Yes, he knows. Apparently they are not related. From my understanding most everyone has palps, I just happen to be aware of them :)
He said I was healthy, but I can't get back to a normal life. I have three little ones and am struggling w/ betrayal of my body, etc. Why? I am blessed that all I have are two leaky valves that are of no concern right? Stress and Anxiety are playing into now. And alot of negative energy is being spent on this. I know I need to make some changes.

Do you still work out/exercise w/ the palps?

I lead a normal life again. And I do have the palpatation now and again. Usually, when I'm on this computer and am more aware of my body. The fear and depression was the worst thing I had when first diagnosed with CHF (diastolic dysfunction). The slightly leaky valve they told me about years ago...didn't worry me. Cause they said it was not something to bother me. And at that time I was a young woman with 2 small children and NOT going anywhere. Heart palpatations can also be a sign of stress and anxiety attacks. I ended up seeing a therapist to help me deal with this new diagnosis and she has worked wonders. You might need to see someone to help you deal with the stress caused by the diagnosis you do have. As far as my CHF, I have decided I want to be around a LONG time...so I'm not going anywhere...I am fighting this and making GREAT progress.

Lynnedz56 -- just out of curiosity, what types of exercise do you do? I am 38 and was diagnosed with two leaking valves (mitral and tricuspid) a month ago. My heart doctor has been pretty vague on what exercise is best, for me. I have about 30lbs to lose, and I enlisted the help of a trainer. She has me on a fitness and diet plan (1200 calories per day), which I have followed to the "T". The fitness plan involves a lot of running and lifting weights. I have been getting worse since I started the workouts--my legs and feet are badly swollen, and I am physically drained. I have GAINED weight on this plan. I have found no information on exercise with my condition. I'm just curious about what you do.

Thanks

Ev

To Iamevie--

PLEASE get off that exercise program and see a cardiologist IMMEDIATELY !!!! Weight lifting is extremely bad for people in heart failure, and your leg/foot swelling and wt gain are likely due to overworking your heart. If you've gained over 5 lbs in a week, that's dangerous, given your swelling. Your heart can't process all the fluid you're taking in and it pools in your legs and feet and causes wt gain, even though you're on a 1200 cal/day diet.

Please go see your doctor before doing ANY exercise program. Your trainer has NO idea what sort of exercise regimen you should be doing if she has let you gain wt and exercise to the point of exhaustion. If you're exhausted, your heart is telling you to QUIT.

Look up cardiac rehabilitation exercises, or ask your doc to write you a prescription for cardiac rehab.

Hope I'm not scaring you, but PLEASE STOP that program until you've been seen by your doctor. (I have very mild heart failure due to pulmonary hypertension and some leaky valves, too--I can't walk a treadmill, but I can do a recumbent exercise bike. No more than 3-5 lb wts EVER and NEVER exercise to exhaustion.) Your reply has me frightened to pieces over your health and well being.

Bottom line is you cannot exercise heart failure away. You need GENTLE exercise--walking, biking, light wts (if at all), but see your doctor!

Please take care of yourself!
Beverly

Thanks Beverly. Your post kind of shocked, and scared me, so I call my doctor and explained the plan I'm on. He was not at all happy with me, or the trainer I hired. He even told me I should report her, because since she is accredited, she should have known better. I honestly didn't think I could be doing more harm. I have an appointment with the cardiologist, and he is going to help me more with the weight loss plan. Thank you again for your advice and concern.

Ev

Wow--This is a great example of how people can be helped on a site like this! Beverly, you are wonderful for taking the time to respond, and I am so glad that you heeded her advice, Ev!
:o)

Glad to help, sorry to scare anyone, but my condition doesn't allow for anything but very gentle exercise (exercise is important, but...) I also overdid the exercise thing when I first was told I might have ph (pulmonary hypertension--it causes heart failure).

Ev, I agree with your doc, the trainer should KNOW better than to do that to a heart patient.

We can still live our lives productively, just slower :) Guess you can tell I LIKE slow!

So, kids, lets all do our exercises, but not to the point where we're exhausted and have fluid pooling in our feet and legs :)--that's your heart telling you it's pooped!

Beverly