# Training with multiple heart defects.

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/training-with-multiple-heart-defects/667>\
**Category:** Medical Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [January 5, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/training-with-multiple-heart-defects/667 "2018-01-05T13:27:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sasho](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/sasho/32/1217_2.png) [@Sasho](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Sasho)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/training-with-multiple-heart-defects/667/1 "2018-01-05T13:27:40Z")

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Hey,

I was born with a few heart defects and I was curious to know if barbell training or any specific training will help improve my stamina or my training capacity. I struggle already with heavy barbell training, especially squats and deadlift. I am extremely out of breath in between sets and can take easily 5 minute rests just to recover (80kg Squat, 120kg deadlift). Walking a few flights of stairs usually gets me pretty winded and some casual walking.  
I was told by my cardiologist that no specific training would improve my condition or my training capacity but I wouldn’t mind a second opinion.

Diagnoses: Pulmonary atresia, VSD, hypoplastic pulmonary arteries  
RVOT reconstruction  
Residual unoperated VSD, bilateral diffusely hypoplastic arteries.

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 2:36pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/training-with-multiple-heart-defects/667/2 "2018-01-05T14:36:52Z")

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This is an extremely complex situation, and I am not a pediatric cardiologist. Did they suggest any activity restriction for you?

It sounds like you’re already training, and have managed to get to a 120 kg deadlift. How do you feel now compared to when you started?

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**Author:** ![Sasho](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/sasho/32/1217_2.png) [@Sasho](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Sasho)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/training-with-multiple-heart-defects/667/3 "2018-01-08T14:17:57Z")

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Thank for the reply and sorry for my late response.

Since my last review with the cardiologist (last had a consult in 2016, next should be the end of this year), he has not given me any physical restrictions but when I asked what I should be doing, I was not given a clear answer.

Since i’ve started training, I don’t feel any different, I still struggle/get out of breath walking around university, walking up a flight of stairs and sometimes my driveway these days. During my training sessions (following Stronglifts currently) I am always taking 5 minute + breaks just to recover from a set of squats.

I understand that this topic may be hard to discuss with or without a consult but it was worth a shot asking.