Any weight lifters here?

[Hot Rod Harry]

My best lifts were 600 lb squat, 400 lb bench press, and 575 lb deadlift, at a 198 lb body weight, natural.

I'm 8 weeks out from Mitral Valve repair, 41 years old.

I'm not expecting to lift anytime soon, but I'm trying to develop realistic expectations of returning to weight lifting. I dont want to get back to where I was before, but I would like the ability to retain my shape, big arms, nice chest, etc.

[Tom F.]

I used to life as a part of my exercise program in other sports, and continue to do so even today, several years post op. I never pushed the kind of weight you did. I trained lighter, with other goals. My doc is ok with my lifting, but cautioned me against any heavy single rep max lifts or things of that order (which I don't do anyway). Some people here have been told not to lift, and I cannot tell whether its because of their own medical issues, or simply because its their view that lifting post heart surgery may be dangerous. What does your doctor tell you to do ?

[mtkayak]

My best lifts were 600 lb squat, 400 lb bench press, and 575 lb deadlift, at a 198 lb body weight, natural.

Well, Harry, I wish I knew the answer myself. My Card would probably grimace at those numbers. Power lifting, accoring to him, is out of the question. That is the only restriction, he put on me. It simply increases the blood pressure too much and you don't want to strain while lifting. I had a simply valve replacement with no other problems. My Card claims that he had a patient that created a leakage around the ring due to weight lifting. He was warned not to lift but continued to do so. They are watching him to see if the leak will worsen or if it will heal itself. Having said that, my Card put a 50lbs. weight limit on me in the gym. One time heavy lifting is okay but not repetitive heavy lifting. On the other hand, my surgeon has no problem with me lifting a 100lbs or so, just "use your common sense" he says. They both agree on one thing, that power lifting and maxing out is out of the question.

We have had a discussion about this very topic on here. Everybody seems to get conflicting information as well. There seems to be some confusion about it in the medical community. I haven't been able to find any evidence or research for or against it. I personally have reached my limits with the 50lbs. in the gym and I'm ready to lift heavier weight. I have thought about maybe lifting 50lbs. with one arm, that is a total of 50lbs. :) I do lift heavier on my legs because the legs are twice as strong as the arms. I usually use the runners "conversation" heart rate. If I can have a conversation while I'm lifting then that means I'm not staining. Make sense? Let me know what your Card says. We would all be interested in knowing.

[davidfortune]

I read somewhere that heavy lifting (80% or more of your max weight) can raise your bp to 400/200. My card never gave specific bp numbers but discussed that heavy lifting (as opposed to toning weights) increases the intra-aterial back pressure drastically which puts much higher stress levels on the valve which tends to promote valve leakage.

I'll see if I can get more specifics.

[LLJ]

I think we all wish we had that answer! I lifted in the 145 wt class (at the top end of it!) in the ADFPA. My squats was in the 3s bench just under 2 and DL about 375ish. I will never see anything close to those weights again. As a lifter, a big part of your identity is tied up in weights. I don't mean that in a negative way. I mean who else thinks it's fun to watch 8 straight hours of a powerlifting contest,which some think is akin to watching grass grow (Now they know how I feel about golf) It was made VERY clear to me that heavy weights are out of the question. My doc said 50 lbs which I laughed at and he ammended it to say if you have to strain and h old your breath or press down then it's too heavy. Oh well. It took me months to get on board with that.
A work out can still be hard it just has to be different now. Try cycling ((I mean on a bike) I thought it was as close to lifting as I could get, especially on the hills!
Laura

[ALCapshaw2]

My best lifts were 600 lb squat, 400 lb bench press, and 575 lb deadlift, at a 198 lb body weight, natural.

I'm 8 weeks out from Mitral Valve repair, 41 years old.

I'm not expecting to lift anytime soon, but I'm trying to develop realistic expectations of returning to weight lifting. I dont want to get back to where I was before, but I would like the ability to retain my shape, big arms, nice chest, etc.


Do a SEARCH on VR.com for "Arnold Schwarzneger(sp?)"

I seem to recall a story about him 'blowing' a valve doing
some type of heavy exercising after valve surgery.

Most surgeons recommend increased reps with LIGHT weights and NO HEAVY LIFTING following valve replacement. Check our "Active Lifestyles Forum" to more discussion on this topic.

'AL Capshaw'

[Hot Rod Harry]

I do have a ring in there also, so that's something to think about. DR. says not to even think about it right now, but in the future I will be able to resume. We have not discussed specific weights, maybe I'll take in some pics to show him what I used to do, so he has a true understanding.

I'm thinking that I should be able to make a switch to a more bodybuilding oriented routine (lower weights, higher reps), along with some walking, and other things to keep myself healthy.

Overcoming the impossible is just one on the satisfactions I got with lifting weights, however, I'm now humble, & trying to be realistic about my abilities.

Maybe I'll transfer that satisfaction to racing. I have a 9 second race car that gives me a hugs rush when the front wheels come off the ground 3 feet.

http://www.derty.org/photogallery/details.php?image_id=646&mode=search&sessionid=02fe93b5184511f3ee9e262641b63736&sessionid=02fe93b5184511f3ee9e262641b63736

One of the charts said that racing was ok after 8 weeks. So, I'm thinking about going racing this weekend, and just leave the nitrous off the car & shoot for the 10 second all motor time slip I have always wanted.

[MikeHeim]

This topic comes up about once a month, and I'm always glad to see the discussion with some new faces. My Cardio was fine with me lifting anything that I could do 25 reps with. I don't think blanket restrictions such as the 50lbs listed above make much sense. Lifting 50lbs for you is basically nothing, but lifting 50lbs for my mom would be extremely strained (she weighs about 105lbs).

The biggest issue is that I'm way too embarrassed to go to the gym and do such little weight, so I usually stick to machines. Petty, I know, but I'm 29 and apparently have a little growing up left to do. :D

[mtkayak]

The biggest issue is that I'm way too embarrassed to go to the gym and do such little weight, so I usually stick to machines. Petty, I know, but I'm 29 and apparently have a little growing up left to do. :D

I know what you mean. I still lift free weights but just less weight. I always make sure everybody lifting knows that I had surgery so I have a good excuse for not lifting a lot :D I don't exactly abide by the 50lbs. if it's 70lbs. Owell.

[Soilman]

I'm 42 and was into weight lifting fairly hard before I found out about my heart valve a little over a year ago. Although I've not had surgery yet, my Doc halted my former weight lifting regime. I used to go for 250-280 lbs on bench. I still lift, but had to make some drastic changes. 70lbs max on bench, but I do 3-4 sets of 25-30 reps.
The rest of my workout uses 50 lbs or less with the same number of sets and reps. This seems to work. I've noticed little if any reduction in size or definition. In fact, I think I enjoy it more now, and it's a little easier on my aging joints.

This regime was recommended to my by another forum member who has already gone through surgery.

Good luck
Barry

[Hot Rod Harry]

Could you list the routine for me? Such as other lifts, ie: curls, squats, etc. Weights, sets & reps? Thanks.

I rode a bike alot as a kid, and I was a great swimmer, perhaps it's time to look at other things in life... No sence in dying by pressing myself too much.

[MRiordan29]

I lifted before my surgery and my surgeon said that I wouldn't have any weight restrictions afterwards (although I was only using moderate amounts of weight beforehand anyhow). I'm 12 weeks post-op and my cardio gave me the go ahead to start with a 30lb max and work my way up to 70lbs over the course of the next few months. Not sure if he intends for 70lbs to be the ceiling for me - guess I'll have to talk to him about that. I'd also be interested to see that routine if someone could get their hands on it.

[mtkayak]

Has anybody heard of this Association? International Self Monitoring Association of Oral Anticoagulation Patients. (that's a mouth full). I did a search and it has been posted a couple of years ago but not a long thread (only 2 post).

According to them, this has been scientifically proven.

Investigations in the last 7 years have shown that moderate stamina training with weights of up to 50% of the maximum performance of the relevant muscle group pose no risk. The problematic blood pressure peaks occur at workloads of 65% to 80% of maximum muscle power, after more than 15 repetitions, or with a workload duration of more than 20 seconds. Short-term maximum exertion for less than 4 seconds is unproblematic, as measured on a power machine using a right-heart catheter.

Read the topic about fitness after valve replacement:

http://www.ismaap.org/67.0.html

[heavyshot]

I also lifted ADFPA and was 1995 national bench press champ 148lb masters division. After my aortic valve was replaced I asked my card about lifting again. His answer was short and sweet. "Don't do it, your lucky to be alive"! I do it anyway but just light weights with lots of reps. Just use common sence.

[Hot Rod Harry]

Thanks everyone. I see my card in a week or so, before I go back to work, & I'll ask him specifics.

Whatever I do, I'll be sure to start out extremely slow, and build myself up.

[Rush20]

I was never a power lifter, however I have been lifting weights consistently since I've was 15 (now 43).

I had the same concerns, however slowly worked into a new routine. I don't lift for pure power/strength anymore, i.e. 1-3 reps, heavy weights, but rather focus on good form and medium weight to cap out between 12-15 reps for each 3 set exercise/movement.

I don't squat or perform dead lifts since surgery as those involve the larger leg muscles and the BP will indeed spike. However, my increased cardio has made up for it. I bike and run more, plus play baseball/softball two days per week to keep the legs in shape.

Honestly, it's been refreshing as I view weights as more of a conditioning tool. When I was younger, I used to spend 2-3 hours 3-4 times per week in the gym pushing weight. It was fun, however I have reprioritized after my surgery and focusing more on outdoor activities with my children. Moving from Chicago to Florida helped as well as my Minimally invasive procedure so I recovered pretty quickly.

I wouldn't worry about losing your tone. Your results from years of training will not disappear although your size might diminish slightly as you won't be going for "the pump" as much.

I remember lying in the hospital bed after my surgery thinking there was no way in hell I would ever bench press again. 3 months post-op and with my cardio's blessing I was back at it, in moderation.

Good luck!

[Soilman]

Harry,

When possible, I try to work out with weights 3 times a week.

Tuesday:
Bench-3 sets of 25-30 reps @ 70lbs
Incline-3 set of 25-30 reps @ 50 lbs
Flys -3 set of 25-30 reps @ 25lbs each
Dumbell press-same as flys

Barbell rows to chin-3 sets of 25-30 @ 20-25lbs
Behind neck press- same as above
Dumbell "pitcher" row 3 sets of 25 @ 5lbs each

Wednesday:
Squats-3 sets of 25-30-no weight or light dumbells
Leg entensions 3 sets of 25-30 @ 25lbs
Leg curls- same as extensions
calve raises-3 sets of 15-25 @ no weights

Thursday:
Curls-3 sets of 25-30 @ 30 lbs
Dumbell curl 3 sets, 15-20 lbs each
Preacher dumbell curls-3 sets @10-15 lbs

"brain buster" tricep curl bar-same as regular curls
triceps with 5 lb dumbell-3 sets of 25-30
tricep pull down (cable tower) 3 sets, 25-30 @ 30 lbs

Forward lat pulldowns-3 sets, 25-30 @ 50lbs
backward lat pulldown-3 sets, 25-30 @ 40-45lbs
lat rows-same as Forward lats

Monday and Thursdays workout usually takes about 1 hour each. I also walk/run 45min-1 hour on M-W-F and one day over weekend.

I'm a small man (5'5" @ 160) so you may want to adjust your weights to your size and ability. Main thing is no straining, holding breath, or turning red in the face...things that will skike BP.

My biggest problem is I'm kind of "rugged and outdoorsy". I was always used to straining, pushing, pulling and picking up whatever I wanted or needed to.
It kills me to have to "sit on the sidelines and watch" whenever stuff like that needs to be done now! Usually I can find another way to accomplish what needs to be done, it just takes longer. Good Luck,

Barry

[alex c.]

I'm reviving this thread as I just joined and have some lifting questions also. I have read several post talking about the 50lb limit. I'm 5'10, 178. My max bench was 320 and squat was 345. Right now I can press 2 plates total (135) about 25-27 times struggling at the end. Can I assume that I will at least be able to press that for 12-15 reps after surgery. I know its quite higher than the 50, or 70lb limit I've seen here, but I was doing it with a severely leaking valve and a moderately leaking valve. Since I found out the severity of my condition, I have stopped going to the gym. I am wondering if my condition now is worse than it should be after surgery, how could I still do this weight?

[BackDoc]

My opinions might not make me any friends amoung the weightlifters. I am 50 years old, and have been an avid weight lifter and fitness enthusiast my entire life. I also hold a graduate degree in exercise physiology, and from 1981-1984 I worked as a strength and conditioning specialist for a major southeastern university athletic powerhouse.

In december of 2005 I was diagnosed with a bicuspid AV, as well as significant dilation of the ascending aorta, with severe AV regurge. My only symptoms were that I noticed that I was not recovering from my own workouts as I used to. I attributed it to age--isn't everything the result of growing older?:D

Anyway, I am now in the waiting room after being informed that I do not yet fall into the Cleveland Clinic's criteria for AV replacement.

My workouts consist of walking, easy biking, stair stepper and very light weights with reps in the 15-20 range. No straining, no limit or near limit attempts.

You need to be carefull that you do nothing to cause a sudden spike in BP. Any strain will result in a sudden high spike in BP. Repeated BP spikes like this can hasten the further degeneration of your already compromised valve and/or aorta.

It's time for a change of mindset. For me I had to realize that I "don't live to exercise", I exercise to live. And in the grand scheme of things, who will care what I benched in 1980, 2000, or 2006?

I feel blessed to have received this diagnosis when I did, before more serious harm could have occured. I am also greatful that we live in an age where the surgery for our condition is now an everyday occurance. I plan on doing nothing that will speed me into surgery any faster then the natural progression takes me.

After surgery I will also do nothing that will contribute in anyway to the deterioration of my surgical correction.

If it is necessary to adopt a new mindset, please do. Continue to exercise--intelligently, to insure a better quality of life, but please do nothing to harm yourself.

A persons life is defined not by the amount of weight they can lift in a fleeting moment of time, but by the impact they leave on all those around them.

(I now step off my soap box).

[alex c.]

I appreciate your thoughts and advice. I guess I will have to change my mindset. I'm just going through this phase where I don't want to accept not being able to do many of the things I loved to do. You and many people have said that straining spikes up the bp and can damage what has been corrected surgically. What about vomiting? or straining for other things? Can that be dangerous also? Kinda scary to be learning all this stuff. Makes me feel like I will have to be walking on egg shells the rest of my life.

[MRiordan29]

Alex,
My understanding is that heavy weightlifting causes an extreme increase in BP and that is why it is considered unsafe. Straining resulting from other activities such as vomiting or bowel movements does cause BP spikes but they are not nearly as drastic and not so dangerous. However, this is all speculation on my part...just what I've gathered from previous threads on this topic. Hopefully someone will correct me if this is totally off base.

[MikeHeim]

I'm reviving this thread as I just joined and have some lifting questions also. I have read several post talking about the 50lb limit. I'm 5'10, 178. My max bench was 320 and squat was 345. Right now I can press 2 plates total (135) about 25-27 times struggling at the end. Can I assume that I will at least be able to press that for 12-15 reps after surgery. I know its quite higher than the 50, or 70lb limit I've seen here, but I was doing it with a severely leaking valve and a moderately leaking valve. Since I found out the severity of my condition, I have stopped going to the gym. I am wondering if my condition now is worse than it should be after surgery, how could I still do this weight?

Prior to diagnosis and surgery, I had pretty bad SOB while running - and that's it. I never had a single symptom while weightlifting or doing any other intense resistance workouts. You hear the term that you need to "listen to your body" with regards to exercise and activity, but I'm not sure that applies to weightlifting. My body was telling me that things were just fine even as I was most likely doing more and more damage to it. Unfortunately, it seems like there is an extremely fine line between where activity is healthy and where it becomes harmful to a valve patient. Unfortunately (again), nobody really seems to know exactly where that boundary lies. Many Cardios seem to take a more conservative track - and who can blame them? If I was a Cardiologist, I sure wouldn't want to tell someone that it was OK to lift weights, and then later find out that said person ended up needing surgery, whether related to the weights or not.

Those of us who are competitive are automatically going to have a very difficult time with workout boundaries. I've spent my whole life trying to go faster, longer, and generally attempting to push my body beyond its limits. For someone to tell me that I need to replace running a marathon with easy biking or a stair stepper just shows that they don't understand the competitive mindset. There's a feeling that you get when you achieve a Personal Record in any physical activity that is incomparable to anything else.

What's my point? Everyone needs to find their own boundaries. The only consensus that seems to be out there is that no Cardiologist is going to OK power lifting. Most will also give you a HR limit, and some seem to throw out other blanket restrictions (?no marathons? has shown up several times, for example). I've made the personal decision that I'm going to continue distance running and hiking in the mountains whether my Cardiologist approves or not. I will however, abide by weightlifting guidelines ? mainly because it is something I never really had a passion for. It's very possible that continuing to push myself might decrease the life of my repaired valve, but I'm willing to take that risk because of how much those activities are, and always have been, a part of my nature. I can't imagine stopping all strenuous activity on account of my valve because of how negatively it would affect the rest of my life and well-being. I cut WAY down on exercise just prior to surgery because of all of my symptoms. I almost instantly became crabby, touchy, and an altogether unpleasant person to be around because I no longer had a release for all the pent-up stress and frustration in my life. I can?t possibly imagine going through the rest of my life in that state.

Anyways, like I said before, everyone has to make their own decisions about how much they want to push themselves, and also need to be ready to accept the possible consequences. There are MANY things that can put stress on valves ? high salt intake, alcohol consumption, and stress are just a few. The idea is to find your own comfort zone balancing what's "bad for you" and living a life worth living?

Now it's now my turn to step off the soapbox. :)

[SumoRunner]

I've been primarily a runner most of my life, so I never got into heavy weights. I do recall the cardio advising against "heavy" lifting, but he never defined heavy. Anyway, I had the aortic valve replaced 15 years ago and I've continued to run as much as I had ever before, plus I've done seasonal weight training but never gone "heavy".

My max bench press is about 175lbs. I'm sure that sounds heavy to some, but it wokrs for me. Mostly it's in the winter when snow and ice make running my regular routes difficult. I'll start in about December 3 or 4 days a week at a very comfortable weight and work up about 5 lbs each week or two until March when I can be regular about going outdoors again.

[alex c.]

I've been primarily a runner most of my life, so I never got into heavy weights. I do recall the cardio advising against "heavy" lifting, but he never defined heavy. Anyway, I had the aortic valve replaced 15 years ago and I've continued to run as much as I had ever before, plus I've done seasonal weight training but never gone "heavy".

My max bench press is about 175lbs. I'm sure that sounds heavy to some, but it wokrs for me. Mostly it's in the winter when snow and ice make running my regular routes difficult. I'll start in about December 3 or 4 days a week at a very comfortable weight and work up about 5 lbs each week or two until March when I can be regular about going outdoors again.

Hey, that is great to hear! When I met with my surgeon, he told me he didn't see a problem with me eventually lifting close to what my max was before. That didn't seem to agree with what many members' cadios/surgeons advised. I'm glad to see you are able to press that weight which is significantly higher than the limit I had heard of. I know all this should be taken with a grain of salt and I don't want anyone to think I'll be in the gym in a cpl of mos attempting to press heavy weight, but I want to be able to think I can do that in a year or so. If all goes well.

[mtkayak]

My surgeon didn't seem to mind me lifting 100 or 200lbs. He didn't have a magic number as to what I should lift. It was my Card that was making all the fuss about it and putting the 50lbs. weight limit on me. I think it may be another case of the Card playing the conservative role that they usually play.

[SumoRunner]

I also throw the shot. I'm probably the worlds worst shot putter but it's fun going to the meets and schmoozing. I'll also run the mile most weeks, also the worlds worst of course. I had to give up discus at age 50 because of back aches and put down the shot at age 55 for the same reason. But then I credit my winter lifting program, especially balancing out the opposing muscles, with being able to return at 58 and throw for ten weeks last summer without a twinge of pain. You don't have to lift half a ton to throw a 13 lb iron ball.

[BackDoc]

here is a website that you might be interested in. Dan John is master discus thrower and Olympic lifter. he offers excellent training advice.

http://danjohn.org/