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Physical limitations with Leaky Valve
My two cardiologists have differing views:
One wants me to keep below 1,000 feet elevation and not to lift more than 30 pounds.
The second has no limitations on altitude and thinks 30 pounds is far too low but did not give me a limit! His only guidance is to monitor blood pressure and breathing as he says there is no studies on this.
Thank you for your input.
Mike
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I am sorry, forgot to mention that I have an Aortic Aneurysm and a partially blocked artery at my heart apex.
Lifting weights in the 30 lb. range will raise blood pressure. This puts a strain on the heart and on the major blood vessels. That's if you're fit and healthy and everything works as it should when you lift much over 10 lb. I tend to think and act conservatively about such things, so I would do what the more cautious doctor suggests.
https://angiologist.com/aortic-aneurysm-and-exercise/
This second reference discusses aerobic activity and doesn't specifically mention weight-lifting (which is odd), at least in my cursory reading of it. It does mention master-level rowing (and not 'elite' level?), though. Rowing is akin to lifting weights due to the requirement to gird one's mid-line and core musculature, press with the quadriceps, and to pull back on the arms:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11677462/
I had total of 4 hernia surgeries for lifting over 60 pounds. The last surgery was a recurrent inguinal hernia and the recovery is very painful and long since it is "recurrent". As we get older our muscles are not as strong as before so watch how much you lift.