Really bad news :(
During my pre-op testing, it was discovered that I have a heart condition called Long QT. When I met the cardiologist months ago, he never mentioned any kind of restrictions or limitations, but I spoke with him today, asked him about exercise and he told me that I should avoid any strenuous exercise and definitely any kind of competitive sports. He said running and triathlons should be out of the question.
Im not even sure what constitutes strenuous activity but all i know is this kind of sucks. I don't even know what to think. I went 28 years before i even knew I had this condition, and ive never had any symptoms. One of my biggest reasons for having surgery was to be active and run and all that. I'm not going to give up exercise but I feel like my dreams and goals just got ripped out from underneath me.
Im not even sure what constitutes strenuous activity but all i know is this kind of sucks. I don't even know what to think. I went 28 years before i even knew I had this condition, and ive never had any symptoms. One of my biggest reasons for having surgery was to be active and run and all that. I'm not going to give up exercise but I feel like my dreams and goals just got ripped out from underneath me.
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 
85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
I made an appointment to get more clarification because this info was left in an insensitive long winded voicemail. I might also want a 2nd opinion seeing as how I have a very mild form with no symptoms ever, and i know there are athletes with long qt. But still - blah.
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
Thank you!
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
long winded voicemail? That's not a way to pass on medical information!
I hope you can get some clarification, and that second opinion!
*fingers crossed*
I hope you can get some clarification, and that second opinion!
*fingers crossed*
Read my blog, BARIATHLETE I run because I can.
First 5K race October 4, 2009 (34.59) PR 5/22/11 (27:26)
First 5 Mile: January 1, 2011 (50:30)
First 10K: July 4, 2010 (1:03.26) New PR 4/10/11 (1:01.14)
First 10 Mile: April 11, 2010 (1:46.15)
First 1/2 marathon: June 13, 2010 (2:22.21) PR: 5/1/11 (2:17.30)
First Marathon: October 16, 2011: 5:47:20
Goofy Challenge: January 7-8, 2012
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash
First 5K race October 4, 2009 (34.59) PR 5/22/11 (27:26)
First 5 Mile: January 1, 2011 (50:30)
First 10K: July 4, 2010 (1:03.26) New PR 4/10/11 (1:01.14)
First 10 Mile: April 11, 2010 (1:46.15)
First 1/2 marathon: June 13, 2010 (2:22.21) PR: 5/1/11 (2:17.30)
First Marathon: October 16, 2011: 5:47:20
Goofy Challenge: January 7-8, 2012
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash
Just adding my 2 cents. I've had 2 heart attacks, 1 double heart bypass, and 1 stent. Since my second heart attack I exercise long and hard...But I don't exercise to exhaustion. I think you need to clarify with your cardiologist what "strenuous exercise" is. Personally I would think walking farther and farther with small amounts of jogging would not hurt (again ask the doctor). I will not exercise in smoggy weather...because of the heart. If it's over 100, I won't exercise very hard...Just me (with the advice from the cardiologist).
It seems no matter what the doctor says it only makes sense to walk farther and farther...faster and faster (brisk walks) to strengthen the heart muscle. It also builds total lung capacity....Also helps with weight loss. Find the balance and then GO FOR IT. It may not be your ideal plans but remake your plans. Brian PS As I was dropping the weight I knew I would go back to tennis, golf, racquetball, and jogging. Little did I know that I ended up hating all those things now...A bad back has done me in. So I took up walking and biking...
It seems no matter what the doctor says it only makes sense to walk farther and farther...faster and faster (brisk walks) to strengthen the heart muscle. It also builds total lung capacity....Also helps with weight loss. Find the balance and then GO FOR IT. It may not be your ideal plans but remake your plans. Brian PS As I was dropping the weight I knew I would go back to tennis, golf, racquetball, and jogging. Little did I know that I ended up hating all those things now...A bad back has done me in. So I took up walking and biking...
Definately time for a second opinon with someone well versed in your condition and possibly more on the sports medicine side of things. I think clarification on performance level from both sides may go a long way. If the docotr knows what your goals are they may be able to help prepare an action plan..
A few things I would do are.
1) HRM - exercsing with a HRM would allow you to adjuct your intensity to stay in a safe zone. If you know Zone 4 is off limits then you could possibly maintain low zone 3 and solid zone 2, although this may not allow you times that you personally want it would still give you the option of participating.
2) Med Alert or Road ID - something that you could tie to your medical condition that way if something were to happen people would be able to respond faster. Be sure to include your RNY info on it things like no NSAID, No Blind NG and such.
Good luck and hoping some middle ground can be found for you.
A few things I would do are.
1) HRM - exercsing with a HRM would allow you to adjuct your intensity to stay in a safe zone. If you know Zone 4 is off limits then you could possibly maintain low zone 3 and solid zone 2, although this may not allow you times that you personally want it would still give you the option of participating.
2) Med Alert or Road ID - something that you could tie to your medical condition that way if something were to happen people would be able to respond faster. Be sure to include your RNY info on it things like no NSAID, No Blind NG and such.
Good luck and hoping some middle ground can be found for you.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Paul is right about the HRM.
I have some friends who do triathlons and Century rides and marathons who have heart conditions. They all use a HRM and they slow down when their HR goes over a certain number.
If your doctor doesn't understand how these sports work, he's going to think it's not possible to do them without a lot of stress on your heart. But running, biking and swimming "long" is mostly done in HR Zones 2-3. It's not like sprinting or doing intense intervals. You have to keep your HR low in order to get the distance in.
Like others have said, find a doctor who is sports-oriented. A sports-oriented doctor will know what you can and can't do within the limitations of your condition. Doctors who aren't sports-oriented will just say not to do it no matter what "it" is.
I have some friends who do triathlons and Century rides and marathons who have heart conditions. They all use a HRM and they slow down when their HR goes over a certain number.
If your doctor doesn't understand how these sports work, he's going to think it's not possible to do them without a lot of stress on your heart. But running, biking and swimming "long" is mostly done in HR Zones 2-3. It's not like sprinting or doing intense intervals. You have to keep your HR low in order to get the distance in.
Like others have said, find a doctor who is sports-oriented. A sports-oriented doctor will know what you can and can't do within the limitations of your condition. Doctors who aren't sports-oriented will just say not to do it no matter what "it" is.
HW - 225 SW - 191 GW - 132 CW - 122
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