Going to the gym

[steve119]

Hi i am now nearly 4 months post op, after having a mechanical valve replacement. I am looking to rejoin the gym sometime soon, does anyone know how long I should wait before carrying out cardio work or being able to lift weights?

Many thanks,

[JimL]

You don't want to hold your breath when you lift, because that puts unnecessary stress on the heart. Smaller weights, more reps.

[RandyL]

4 months you should be completely healed by now. I would just start off easy and work your way back up. I did some major yard work yesterday ay 3 months post op. Go get em!

[OldManEmu]

It was 7 months post op before I started swimming again mainly for cosmetic reasons, I didn’t want to scare the kids with the scar. It was 10 months before I started back at the gym. I feel great now I both swim and do gym work. :)

[MitralMan]

...that if you want to gauge how much you've healed, look at your scar.

I started cardiac rehab two weeks post-op, but never took my heart rate above 115 for the next 12 weeks. It was mostly cardio (stationary bike or treadmill), coupled with light weights with single sets of 12.

I was given a green light to train for a marathon at the six month mark, but I didn't do that (I know, I'm a wimp). Instead, I'm now training for a marathon relay at the end of next month, 18 months post-op. My max HR is almost 10bpm HIGHER than it was before surgery (now 182), and I feel great.

For me, going nice and slow was the ticket. Your mileage may vary!