My mom (64 yo) had surgery a year ago to have a mechanical valve (aortic, I think) put in and was told that after the surgery she can’t lift anything heavier than 2kg. No duration was specified, just a general statement and now she believes that applies for the rest of her life and that she can’t engage in any form of resistance training ever. I’m no heart surgeon but it’s hard for me to imagine this being true or the risk outweighing the downsides and I’m guessing it was guidance for a limited duration after surgery or unfortunate exercise fearmongering. I know it would be best for her to talk to her surgeon but the healthcare system in my country is… not the best so that is a challenge. I would just like to know is there any chance that she actually can’t ever train?
I can’t speak to your mom’s individual situation without all of the medical details and context, but indefinite exercise restrictions are NOT typical after isolated valve replacement surgery.
Most patients have a period of graded return to activity, and eventually return to unrestricted activity, assuming no further complications or other simultaneous cardiovascular conditions requiring special consideration. For example, a patient who had an aortic aneurysm from connective tissue disease requiring simultaneous aortic root AND valve replacement might have other considerations and post-operative exercise recommendations.
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