Aortic stenosis, a type of cardiovascular disease, may be improved with some forms of exercise. Knowing what kind and how much exercise is necessary for your condition is the first step. Isometric exercise is a form of resistance training, while cardio exercise is aerobic and dynamic in nature.
Aortic Stenonsis
Aortic stenosis occurs when the valve from the left ventricle of the heart to the aorta narrows. If aortic stenosis is left untreated obstruction can become worse and result in left ventricular hypertrophy. When hypertrophy of the ventricle occurs, stroke volume, or the amount of blood pumped each beat, becomes smaller, putting even more pressure on the heart.
Isometric Exercise
An isometric contraction occurs when force is being exerted by a muscle, but no movement is being made. In this circumstance, the muscle is being flexed, but there is no external movement. According to the American Heart Association, isometric exercises cause a large rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Since the muscle is not moving, yet is being contracted, vasoconstriction occurs. This causes a high amount of pressure on the heart which is not ideal for a person with aortic stenosis.
Cardio Exercise
Cardio exercise is rhythmic movement of large muscle groups. Energy is produced with oxygen, and the intensity of exercise should be sustainable for at least three minutes. Cardio exercise causes a linear increase in heart rate, blood pressure and stroke volume that is consistent with the intensity of work that you are performing. Since intensity is much more controllable, cardio exercise does not put as much pressure on the working heart with aortic stenosis.
Conclusions
Cardio exercise is much better for you if you have aortic stenosis than isometric exercise. Isometric exercise causes undue pressure on the working heart. The idea exercise program for someone with aortic stenosis should be a frequency of three days per week for 20 to 40 minutes per session. Some resistance exercise is recommended, however, which should occur at a low intensity as well.
References
- "Cecil Essentials of Medicine"; Thomas Andreoli, Charles Carpenter, Robert Griggs, Joseph Loscalzo, eds.; 2004
- "Anatomy and Physiology"; Kenneth S. Saladin; 2004
- "Circulation"; Resistance Exercise in Individuals With and Without Cardiovascular Disease; Michael L. Pollock, PhD., et al.; 2000
- "Exercise Testing and Prescription"; David C. Nieman; 2007
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