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2007/08/19, 02:44 PM
Just recently, I had a little heart scare. My heart was beating erratically and I was feeling like I was going to pass out. I had Aortic Valve Replacement surgery in December, and have been working out with progressively heavy weights over the past several months. Now I was wondering whether I had gone too far with weight training. I **stupidly** drove myself to the cardiologist's office, stopping once on the way because I felt light-headed. An EKG revealed that my heart rate was too slow (59 bpm) and I was experiencing some v-tach (rapid, arrhythmic contractions).
I was thinking that I might be going back into a hospital bed. They doc told me that I needed to cut back on the Coreg® (a beta blocker that lowers heart rate) that I was taking. The more I thought about it, the more I realized this might mean that I am getting better :) and that the work-outs are helping my over-worked heart recover from years of inefficient pumping. My wife countered that I might be overdoing it, because after all, I am always sore.:)
Then I read this today in a medical journal:
"Moreover, physical training decreases catecholamine levels, especially **norepinephrine**, associated with exercise at any given workload. Serum norepinephrine levels are lower in trained than untrained individuals." Guess what else lowers levels of norepinephrine: Coreg. So by working out, I may be correcting my norepinephrine levels and lessening the need for beta blockers like Coreg.
Some heart experts, including the American Heart Association and the cardiologist who diagnosed my Aortic Regurgitation 15 years ago, tell patients NOT to do resistance training for fear of overstressing their weakened hearts, but there is a boatload of recent research that says that working out those fast-twitch muscle fibers can help strengthen the heart in the same way it builds biceps and quads. Needless to say, I am back on my weight-training program along with some running and biking. I'll let you know what my doc thinks of all of this in October when I go in for an echocardiogram.
So it looks like another one of those situations in which one can take a pill or work-out. I will take the work-out. The side-effects are MUCH better.
NOTE: I'm not a medical professional, so if you have a heart condition, ask someone who is before you try weight training.
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Dont tempt me; Im where I wanna be
Cause on the eighth day, God made sweet tea. -Cravin Melon
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2007/08/19, 05:46 PM
SWEET! I am glad that its all working out for ya Stevo! Would hate for anything to happen to ya. Talk to your Dr. about what you are doing too.
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Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure.---Helen Keller
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2007/08/19, 08:19 PM
yes steve, im very happy for you and your recovery, keep it up pal, now if i can get my ticker ticking properly, we'll all be doing good....:dumbbell:
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Let me show you
Sweet smell of a delicate whisper
Behind the vision of gardens
Go and read of your life
Tiny ripping at the heart
Drunk from a rose
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2007/08/19, 09:01 PM
Nice stuff! And then again, the heart is a muscle! Glad your ok.:big_smile:
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Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.
Ivan
Montreal Canada (City of Festivals)
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2007/08/20, 06:48 PM
Thanks guys!
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