CANADIAN ADULT CONGENITAL HEART NETWORK


	Resource Archive Guidelines for Antibiotic Prophylaxis 2009-06-06 + read more Self-Protection Guide for Congenital Heart Patients 2008-09-03 + read more Pregnancy and Family Planning Brochure 2008-09-01 + read more Toronto Congenital Cardiac Centre for Adults Brochure 2008-08-01 + read more -------------------------------------------------- Sign-Up for Updates First Name Last Name Email Address Click here to unsubscribe			PRINT ARTICLE A Guide to Sports & Adult Congenital Heart Disease Date: 2002-10-10 Submitted By: Dr. Andreas Hoffmann Sports and Activity Regular physical activity has positive effects on most of the organs in the body Physical activity makes you feel better You may have restrictions based on your condition but they should not stop you from being as active as you can be Sports and the Heart The key to being active is regular, moderate activity (not maximum performance) Regular: Three times a week for 30 minutes Moderate: You should feel warm but not uncomfortable. Can I die if I do sports? Only a very small number of deaths from heart problems in young people is caused by exercise. Even less are caused by playing sports. How much can I do? How much you should do will depend on your heart condition and how your own heart can perform when you exercise. Most patients can do more than they think. But some have to accept restrictions. Getting Started Some things they told you when you were a child may be different now; like: You may have been told that exercise is dangerous The doctor may have told you not to do any sports Your family or school may have not allowed you to do sports or physical activity. Problems to be prevented Problems with your heart rhythm if you have a weak heart Lack of fluid replacement when you are sweating A big rise or fall in your blood pressure Bruising; if you are on a blood thinner Bone injuries How the doctors decide restrictions Is based on the type of sport or activity The difficulty of the activity How high it will make your heart rate go How your heart might respond to activity and sports Best guide for getting active You are the best judge of what you can do If you can’t talk and breath....slow down a little Your doctor can order an exercise test before becoming active and give you a “target heart rate” The doctor can guide your activity instructor based on your history Examples of Activities High energy activity Cycling Running Boxing Snow Skiing Swimming Tennis Volleyball Low energy activity walking hiking golf curling gymnastics horseback riding diving Burning Calories Slow walking 200 kcal/h (in a 70 kg adult) Hiking 300 kcal/h (in a 70 kg adult) Fast walking 350 kcal/h (in a 70 kg adult) Swimming 500 kcal/h (in a 70 kg adult) Walking up hill 500 kcal/h (in a 70 kg adult) Tennis 600 kcal/h (in a 70 kg adult) Jogging 700 kcal/h (in a 70 kg adult) Are you restricted? No Restrictions Mild Pulmonary Stenosis Small Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) Small Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repaired VSD or ASD Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (usually) Mitral Valve Prolapse without arrhythmia Prosthetic Valve with normal pump function what about competitive activity ? Patients with a heart condition usually should not engage in competition. There may however be some exceptions in very mild and uncomplicated cases. This will have to be discussed with your heart specialist doctor. Usually restricted to mild intensity sports (or no sports at all) Importantly narrowed valves Weak pumping chambers (ventricle) Severe pulmonary hypertension Most cyanotic patients (blue) Some “Mustard” or “Fontan” patients Avoid Body Impact Marfan syndrome Others with ascending aortic aneurysms Patients on coumadin (warfarin) Summary Cardiac death in sports is rare Sports related cardiac deaths in congenital patients who are followed in a specialized clinic are very rare Your doctor can set your level of restriction and guide your activity level Activity is good for your mind and body