What is congenital heart disease and patent foramen ovale? Are sports and congenital heart disease in children compatible? Sports for children with heart defects

When diagnosed with arterial hypertension, sports training is an integral part of therapy. However, when choosing a particular sport, you need to take into account the reasons for the development of the pathology, its stage, and existing complications.

Isotonic exercises help to use internal energy, as a result of which calories are burned. Regular exercise reduces the load on the heart and significantly reduces blood pressure.

Isometric exercises promote muscle growth. They are not recommended for hypertension because they lead to a jump in blood pressure. Hypertensive patients should avoid intense rhythm exercises, lifting loads and heavy objects.

Hypertension and sport

Physical activity for hypertension has many advantages. They are advised for hypertension, regardless of the degree, and also as a preventive measure for a hypertensive attack. However, before choosing a type of activity, you need to consult your doctor.

For example, stages 1 and 2 of the disease require physical activity of the patient. Based on blood pressure levels, clinical features, diet and concomitant pathologies, the doctor will recommend sports and specific exercises.

Physical inactivity or low mobility is one of the factors that leads to a persistent increase in blood pressure to 140/90 mm and above. Regular training in the early stages of the disease contributes to a smooth reduction in diabetes and DD. In some cases, it is possible to do without the use of medications.

Therefore, to the question of whether it is possible to play sports with high blood pressure, the answer is yes. Swimming, aerobics, walking, etc. help reduce blood pressure and improve blood circulation in the body.

Sports for hypertension have the following effect:

  • Saturation of the body with oxygen, which has a positive effect on central and peripheral blood flow.
  • Strengthens blood vessels and the heart, which helps to gradually lower blood pressure.
  • Sleep is normalized, insomnia disappears, general well-being and emotional background improve.
  • Increases muscle tone; energy and vigor appear, which triggers self-healing processes in the body.
  • Reducing excess weight, which appears to be a factor in the development of hypertension. Losing weight has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

The combination of hypertension and physical activity is quite real. It is important that the patient has a desire to change his life for the better and overcome his illness.

It's never too late to play sports. Even in old age, you can achieve a significant reduction in blood pressure.

Sports allowed for hypertensive patients

Before exercising if you have high blood pressure, you should visit a doctor. Often, against the background of hypertension, there are other pathologies - ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, tachycardia, bradycardia, heart failure, etc., which requires adjustment of the sports load.

Sports activities do not have to be intense. Weightlifting is not suitable; lifting weights is prohibited. The last option is allowed only with the approval of a doctor.

Hypertensive patients are definitely recommended to exercise. It is better to do it in the morning. They start by bending the body in different directions. Then head turns, running in one place, squats, you can jump rope. It is enough to train 15-20 minutes a day.

Swimming is ideal for obese hypertensive patients who have a history of joint problems. It trains the muscles of the arms and back well, while putting little strain on the knee and hip joints.

When swimming, blood microcirculation in the body improves, and a larger volume of oxygen enters it. It has been proven that regular swimming can reduce the systolic value by 7 mm and the renal value by 5 mm Hg. You can swim at blood pressure 130-135/80 without consulting a specialist. If the indicators are 150-160/100, training is allowed only in the absence of medical contraindications.

The following physical activities are allowed when blood pressure increases:

  1. Aerobics reduces static muscle effort and creates good conditions for muscle relaxation. Gymnastics in water can be done at any age.
  2. Walking at a slow or fast pace. Such loads are completely safe for hypertensive patients with problems with muscles or joints. In the first 7 days of training, it is optimal to walk 2 kilometers - a vigorous step, but without tension. Over time, the permissible distance is 4 km in one hour. In this case, the pulse should be no more than 120 beats per minute.
  3. Therapeutic exercise for hypertension. These are special targeted training sessions. Doctors often prescribe physical therapy for rapid recovery after a hypertensive crisis.
  4. Climbing/descending stairs. Hypertensive patients should avoid taking the elevator. Walking 3-4 floors without shortness of breath is quite optimal physical activity.
  5. Dancing. The ideal option is ballroom or oriental. They give the body flexibility and elasticity and help fight excess weight. When choosing classes, you need to pay attention to the frequency, intensity and duration of sessions.

In order for physical education to be beneficial for hypertension, you need to do it with pleasure, and do not forget about controlling blood pressure. After the body adapts to the load, you can move on to running on the street or in the gym on a track.

In addition, for hypertension, aerobic exercise is indicated to strengthen the cardiovascular system. However, it is advisable to engage in this type of sport under the supervision of a physiotherapist or trainer, because high blood pressure in athletes is a dangerous condition.

If intracranial pressure is increased against the background of arterial hypertension, then active sports are strictly prohibited. If you have intraocular pressure, yoga, gymnastics, Pilates, fitness, swimming, and leisurely skiing are allowed.

With high SD and DD, you can only run at a slow pace. Note that running is also recommended for hypotension – low blood pressure. At first it will be difficult for “athletes”, so it is necessary to develop the habit of running at the same time in any weather.

The main goal is to run longer, but not faster, and always be in a relaxed state. You need to restrain yourself and not increase speed, even if it seems that this is possible. Before jogging, you should do a light warm-up.

It is better to run in several stages, having developed a certain cycle. Here's an example:

  • First day. Run slowly, no longer than 15 minutes.
  • Every next two workouts, increase the time by five minutes. This rule applies until the patient can easily run for 40 minutes.
  • Then the first day is a distance of 4 km, the second 2 km, the third 1 km. Break. After running 2 km, the next day 4 km. Break again.

It is necessary to monitor the body's reaction to the load. For men and women, it is satisfactory if after running there is slight shortness of breath, and breathing is restored within 10 minutes.

During training, you need to monitor your heart rate and not exceed the limits. They are calculated using the formula: 220 minus the patient’s age. For example, for a 50-year-old man, the normal heart rate is 170 beats per minute.

Training according to Bubnovsky

Dr. Bubnovsky notes in his reviews that the correct load for a hypertensive patient is to control blood pressure and stabilize it at the required level. You don't have to be an athlete to do the exercises they are recommended to do. Classes are suitable for any person. For grade 1 and 2 hypertension, sport helps replace drug treatment.

If the patient has a blood pressure of 180/100 or higher that is difficult to correct with medications, or has a history of complicated hypertensive crises, then physical activity is contraindicated in this case.

List of gymnastic exercises according to Bubnovsky for the treatment of hypertension:

  1. "Special Breathing" You need to lie on your back, while inhaling, stick out your abdominal area, and while inhaling, try to pull your stomach in. The training consists of performing 5 inhalations and 5 exhalations.
  2. "Hands up". Lie with your back on the floor or other hard surface, raise your arms as high as possible, and place them behind your head. Take a sharp breath. Return to the original position, exhale. Repeat five times.
  3. "Muscle tension." The workout is performed on your back in a horizontal position. You need to tense your leg muscles as much as possible, take a deep breath, and hold your breath. Exhale. Repeat three times.
  4. "Circular movements". Lie on your back, raise your leg and perform 8 movements in a circle (clockwise or counterclockwise). Breathing is free. Then the leg lowers, the muscles relax. Repeat similarly with the second leg.

At the end of the entire workout, you need to stretch and relax. This allows you to restore shortness of breath and prevent pain in the muscles.

Lowering blood pressure using Strelnikova’s method

Training using proper breathing, developed by Alexandra Nikolaevna Strelnikova, has a comprehensive effect on the body and does not require much effort from the patient. The main thing is to adhere to all recommendations, strictly observing them.

Reviews from doctors note that this method of combating hypertension has many advantages. Regular exercise helps normalize metabolic processes in the body, which in turn stabilizes blood pressure.

Systematic exercise improves blood circulation in the body, internal organs receive more oxygen and nutrients. In addition, congestion and inflammation are leveled out. Blood vessels are cleared of harmful cholesterol.

Effective exercises for normalizing diabetes and DD:

  • "Palms." Stand up straight, bend your elbows, and point your palms forward. Inhale rhythmically through your nose (4 times in a row), while clenching your palms into a fist. Then rest for 4 seconds and lower your arms. Exhale through your mouth 24 times in any position. If shortness of breath appears, breathing becomes very difficult, then increase the rest to 20-30 seconds.
  • "Epaulettes." Stand straight, press your hands to your stomach, clenching them into a fist. Inhale sharply, lower your fists down, and tense your shoulders. 8 breaths, pause 4 seconds, repeat.
  • "Pump". Stand straight, feet shoulder-width apart, arms along your body. Lean forward a little - lower your head slightly, your back should be like a “cat’s” - rounded. Inhale air at the same time as you bend over. Then exhale and straighten up. Tempo – from one hundred inclinations per minute. If you have a history of traumatic brain injury, bending over too much is not recommended.

Hypertensive patients need to remember that exercise should improve health, and not make the condition more painful. Make it a rule to train carefully and constantly monitor your pulse and blood pressure. If it becomes bad, classes are stopped immediately.

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Signs, treatment and consequences of congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a defect in the structure of the main muscle “pump”, which causes malfunctions in the functioning of the circulatory system. “Innate” means present from birth. The structural defect can be localized in the organ itself or affect adjacent vessels. Note that of all birth defects, it is heart disease that most often leads to mortality in childhood.

  • Types of pathology
  • Why does the disorder occur?
  • Symptoms
  • Therapeutic effect

If the pathology is so dangerous, then how long do people with heart disease live? Medical statistics are disappointing. Of all congenital developmental pathologies, this one accounts for the largest percentage of cases with a fatal outcome in the first year of a baby’s life. The dynamics of mortality decreases in the interval between 1-15 years, and is no more than 5%. Treatment of this congenital anomaly is possible only through surgery.

Types of pathology

The primary diagnosis of pathology in children is complicated by the physiological characteristics of the body’s development at an early age. Therefore, it is very important to pay close attention to the child’s health from the very beginning. Timely detection of the disease is the key to timely treatment.

The classification of congenital heart defects depends on the location of the defect and signs of external manifestations:

  • "white";
  • "blue";
  • incorrect position of the organ without changing hemodynamics.

A characteristic sign of the “white” type is excessive pallor of the skin due to a lack of arterial blood volume. Signs appear if:

  1. Atrial or ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus. The heart is constantly working at the limit, which is reflected by increased pressure in the blood vessels. Subsequently, this leads to irreversible changes in the circulatory system. Such disorders are combined into the group “with enrichment of the pulmonary circulation”;
  2. Isolated pulmonary stenosis and a number of other manifestations are combined into the group “with depletion of the pulmonary circulation”;
  3. Isolated aortic stenosis, aortic coarctation or narrowing, and other similar disorders are classified as “systemic circulation depletion.” Constriction of blood vessels occurs, the heart, in turn, is forced to work harder, which can subsequently lead to the development of heart failure.

Patent ductus arteriosus is a disorder “with enrichment of the pulmonary circulation”

If the “white” pathology is not identified in time and adequate treatment is not started, the child will develop the following consequences (symptoms):

  • headache;
  • dizziness;
  • shortness of breath;
  • pain in the heart and abdomen, in the legs;
  • slow development of the lower body.

With “blue” congenital heart disease, cyanosis of the skin occurs. The skin acquires a bluish tint due to insufficient oxygen content in the blood entering the tissues. Disorders are also grouped according to:

  • defect with an enriched small circle - complete transposition of the great vessels, Eisenmenger complex, etc.;
  • defect with an impoverished small circle - tetralogy of Fallot, Ebstein's anomaly, pulmonary atresia.

"Blue" vice

Tetralogy of Fallot is more common than others, diagnosed in 15% of cases. With a “blue” defect, the following symptoms can be noted:

  • sudden attacks of anxiety;
  • shortness of breath;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • the child often rests in a squatting position.

In the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD 10), this pathology is included in class Q20-Q28 “Congenital malformations of the cardiovascular system.” Here is a small extract from ICD 10:

  • Q20 – congenital malformations of the heart chambers and connections;
  • Q21 – congenital malformations of the cardiac septum;
  • code Q21.0 – ventricular septal defect;
  • code Q21.1 – atrial septal defect;
  • Q21.3 – tetralogy of Fallot;
  • Q21.8 – other congenital anomalies of the cardiac septum: Eisenmenger complex, Pentade of Fallot;
  • Q22.5 – Ebstein’s anomaly;
  • Q23.0 – congenital aortic valve stenosis;
  • Q24 – other congenital heart anomalies.

The International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD 10), was introduced into the practice of domestic medicine in 1999. Currently, work is underway to prepare a new edition of the reference book. The 10th revision of the classifier in 2017 will be replaced by the 11th edition.

By the way, in the 70s of the last century, scientists made an attempt to add various types of congenital heart anomalies to an individual’s gender. Thus, “female”, “male” and “neutral” groups of vices were identified. For example, “female” ones, that is, more often diagnosed in girls, are:

  • patent ductus arteriosus;
  • atrial septal defect;
  • ventricular septal defect;
  • tetralogy of Fallot;
  • Lautembacher's disease.

Atrial septal defect is most often diagnosed in girls

For boys:

  • congenital aortic stenosis;
  • coarctation of the aorta;
  • total anomaly of the connection of the pulmonary veins;
  • transposition of the great vessels;
  • open ductus arteriosus.

All other manifestations are assigned to the neutral group.

Why does the disorder occur?

The causes of most congenital anomalies of the cardiovascular system are still not fully understood.

Other reasons:

  • exposure to radiation on the maternal body during pregnancy;
  • effects on the maternal body of alcohol, drugs, and certain medications;
  • viral and other types of infections suffered by the mother in the first three months of pregnancy;
  • overweight and obesity (increases the risk of developing congenital pathologies in a baby by 36%);
  • rheumatism;
  • infective endocarditis;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • injuries;
  • syphilis;
  • diabetes and prediabetes, other endocrine disorders in parents;
  • genetic predisposition;
  • age of the woman in labor;
  • previous stillbirth, threatened miscarriage;
  • severe toxicosis in the first trimester.

Maternal diabetes increases the baby's risk of developing a congenital heart abnormality

Genetic and environmental causes often complement each other, that is, the effects of one are enhanced by the other.

Symptoms

Congenital heart disease can be completely corrected if diagnosed and treated early. But how can a disorder be identified if the anomaly is often hidden? You need to pay attention to the symptoms.

Symptoms in a newborn:

  • cyanosis of the skin, lips, ears at birth or shortly after birth;
  • cyanosis, which appears when the baby cries or sucks;
  • paleness of the skin, coldness of the extremities (“white” defect);
  • heart murmurs (additional examination is required to confirm the diagnosis);
  • signs of heart failure appear.

Other symptoms:

  • increased fatigue;
  • swelling;
  • asphyxia;
  • sweating;
  • oliguria;
  • fainting. Symptoms should be supported by X-ray images, electrocardiograms, ECHO, where it is much easier to detect changes.

In the first three years of life, congenital heart disease may not manifest itself. Afterwards the following symptoms are recorded:

  1. retardation in physical development;

Congenital heart defects in adults are among the most common congenital anomalies. Of the total mass of pathologies at birth, it accounts for up to 30% of cases. As mentioned, the only adequate treatment is surgery to correct the defects. After which a person can fully live to old age. True, systematic monitoring by a cardiologist will be required, which adults often neglect.

Cardiovascular disorders in adulthood are accompanied by several pathological processes that arise against the background of anatomical abnormalities:

  • arrhythmias;
  • hypoxemia;
  • thrombosis and embolism;
  • lung diseases;
  • myocardial contractile dysfunction;
  • delayed physical development;
  • structural changes in the implanted valve.

Cardiovascular disorders may cause delay in physical development

Note that heart disease is not exclusively a congenital defect; acquired disorders also occur. They manifest themselves in the form of malfunction of the valve apparatus of the organ: narrowing of the walls, heart valve insufficiency.

Therapeutic effect

How long a patient will live after the pathology is diagnosed depends on how quickly the treatment was completed.

The following surgical treatments are applicable:

  • open heart surgery;
  • catheterization through the esophagus (via visualization by radiography and Doppler echo);
  • endovascular treatment.
  • regular monitoring by a cardiologist, even with a positive prognosis;
  • compliance with the regime;
  • proper nutrition;
  • prevention of infectious diseases;
  • measures aimed at maintaining the body's immune barrier;
  • non-tiring walks in the fresh air;
  • therapeutic effects during attacks: oxygen, bloodletting (“blue” defect), foxglove (“white” defect).

In adult life, congenital heart disease can affect the choice of profession, since in some types of the disease, for example, the effect of high temperatures on the body is contraindicated.

A congenital defect in the structure of the heart in women can cause the impossibility of motherhood. The reasons are that her body will be subject to severe stress, resulting in consequences with complications. There is also a risk of miscarriage and even sudden death of the mother in labor. If you really want to become a mother, then this issue must be approached in advance and always under the close supervision of specialists. This is very important because during pregnancy any surgery is contraindicated.

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Exercise for hypertension

With the development of arterial hypertension, people stop playing sports, worrying that exercise will lead to increased blood pressure. But moderate physical activity is necessary for the disease, since movement helps to dilate blood vessels, improves blood supply to the muscles, and strengthens the heart. Physical education prevents weight gain, the deposition of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels, and stabilizes blood pressure, so exercise therapy for hypertension is part of a set of methods to combat the disease.

The main thing is to choose, together with your doctor, the optimal loads and exercises, taking into account the degree of development of the disease and associated pathologies. In this case, the patient’s well-being improves, and in the early stages the condition can be stabilized without medications.

Sports allowed for hypertension

Aerobic exercise is recommended for people with high blood pressure: such exercise requires a larger volume of oxygen over a long period of time. By forcing the body to improve the systems responsible for its transportation, this type of movement requires an increase in blood and lung volume. Aerobics strengthens the walls of blood vessels and the heart muscle, lowers cholesterol, expands the lumen of arteries and veins, improving blood flow. Therefore, during physical activity, blood pressure (BP) drops if you regularly engage in sports. What types of exercises are allowed for hypertensive patients:

  1. Walking. This type of movement is suitable for all patients and brings positive emotions. This is an excellent option for beginner athletes, as well as for people with high blood pressure. To begin with, it is enough to walk 1–1.5 kilometers, then the distance is increased to 4. When the body gets used to it, you can switch to easy running.
  2. Yoga. Only some exercises are allowed for use, mainly breathing exercises or stretching movements.
  3. Stretching increases the flexibility and elasticity of muscles and ligaments; a calm pace of exercise trains the heart without overwork.
  4. Dancing is not only an exercise that involves all the muscles of the body, it is an inexhaustible source of positive energy. Calm ballroom steps or a light leisurely waltz are acceptable for classes; Indian dance movements are also suitable.
  5. Morning exercises invigorate the spirit and body. It is enough to devote 30 minutes to it to feel good. For hypertension, these are general strengthening exercises for all muscles: arm movements to the sides and up, smooth turns, slight lateral bends, flexion of the lower limbs and walking.
  6. Swimming is the best option for patients with hypertension. This sport is especially suitable for obese patients. Regular use of the pool reduces blood pressure by 5–7 points.
  7. Squats. Classes are allowed if you perform the exercises at an average pace - squatting deeply and rising smoothly. Tension of the leg muscles increases blood supply to the peripheral vessels and relieves the heart. Training begins every other day, gradually increasing the number of approaches. At first, the heart rate may increase, but over time it returns to normal.

Therapeutic exercise is recommended for hypertension in adolescence and old age; a properly developed set of exercises is used during the rehabilitation period for crises and strokes. But occasional exercise will not bring results: to normalize the condition, systematic training is required that constantly maintains the tone of the body.


Exercise will be beneficial if it brings you joy and does not cause deterioration of your condition. Before starting training, you should consult a doctor and undergo an examination. The specialist will determine the degree of the disease and determine the level of permissible loads, taking into account the cause of the pathology, its complications and associated health problems. The doctor will also help you adjust your diet and choose the appropriate type of physical activity. The results of the classes will appear provided that the following rules are followed:

  1. It is recommended to devote at least three days a week to physical exercise, and be sure to walk in your free time.
  2. Regardless of the sport, each lesson begins with a half-hour warm-up.
  3. For a patient with hypertension, the total duration of physical activity is an hour and a quarter.
  4. Moderate physical stress, appropriate to age and condition, is sufficient to ensure that the heart rate per minute does not exceed 110–120 beats. Regularity and gradual increase in load are also important.

A patient with hypertension should measure their blood pressure before training: if it is elevated, there is no point in taking risks and it is better to avoid physical exercise. In this case, sports can be replaced with a walk in the air. It is preferable to work out in a gym with an experienced instructor nearby who will monitor your condition and give useful recommendations.

During training, monitoring your heart rate is necessary; an increase in heart rate is a normal reaction. Acceptable indicators are calculated using the formula: 220 heart beats per minute minus the person’s age. For example, for a 55-year-old, the heart rate is 165 beats (220-55). To restore normal heart rate, 5 minutes are enough, to return the breathing rhythm - 10. If your heart rate increases and your health worsens, stop training, and next time reduce the load.


Features of running with hypertension

Among physical exercises for hypertension, running is one of the acceptable ways to strengthen the cardiovascular system. Cyclic movements and moderate activity help dilate blood vessels. The body is enriched with oxygen, blood flows to the lower extremities, and the load on the heart is reduced. Jogging strengthens your legs, helps you lose weight, and restores the function of your nervous system. As a result, high blood pressure returns to normal and the body heals. It is important to remember that fast running at speed is not recommended for hypertensive patients; easy movement is suitable for patients. Here it is important to increase the load due to the distance, so a step-by-step training scheme is recommended for beginners:

  • The duration of the first workout is 15 minutes;
  • every other day, the running duration is increased by 5 minutes;
  • This continues until the time of jogging without stress reaches 40 minutes, which is equal to 4 km.

After achieving the result, the distance is reduced in the reverse order to 1 km, then a one-day break is taken and the load is increased again. By adhering to this scheme, you can train without overwork.

But for exercise on a treadmill to bring tangible benefits, the following conditions must be met:

  1. The principle of training is regularity; it is better not to interrupt classes even in bad weather. The only obstacle is severe frost or heat.
  2. It is not recommended to change the time; the best option is the morning hours, 60 minutes after a light snack.
  3. Before running, you need to do a short warm-up to tone your muscles.

After exercise, it is useful to lie down with your legs raised above the level of your heart. If you do everything correctly and with pleasure, the doctor will soon reduce the dose of the permanent medication, and you may be able to forget about the pills.


Dr. S. M. Bubnovsky developed a unique system of exercises in combination with breathing exercises. The kinesitherapy method is aimed at self-healing of the body to treat joints and the spine. But this does not prevent the use of the technique to normalize blood pressure, since the formation of symptomatic hypertension is often associated with osteochondrosis. In addition, during training, blood microcirculation improves, elasticity and muscle tone are restored. Gymnastics has a beneficial effect on the state of the nervous system; exercises aimed at strengthening the legs are suitable for the heart and blood vessels, since such complexes prevent congestion, blood clots and swelling, and disperse blood through the veins.

The professor claims that classes using his method, with correctly chosen load and blood pressure control, bring blood pressure levels to the required level, and in the initial stages of the disease eliminate the need to take medications. Performing the exercises suggested by the doctor does not require special physical training, is suitable for all people, the load increases as the body gets used to it. What exercises are recommended by Bubnovsky to lower blood pressure:

  1. "Special Breathing" The person lies on his back with his arms extended along his body. Taking a deep breath, sticks out your stomach, and while exhaling, draws it in as much as possible. Repeat 5 times.
  2. "Hands up". To perform the exercise you need to lie on the floor and raise your arms as high as possible. You need to take a sharp breath and put them behind your head. Exhaling, return to the starting position. Produce 5 times.
  3. "Muscle tension." The same is done in a horizontal position, lying on your back. As you inhale, tense your leg muscles, hold your breath for a few seconds, and relax as you exhale. Repeat 3 times.
  4. "Circular movements". The starting position is the same. The leg is raised and 8 circular movements are performed in any direction. Then they lower it and relax, repeating the actions with the other limb. Breathing while performing the exercise is free.

After physical exercise, you need to lie down quietly: this will help restore the breathing rhythm and prevent the occurrence of painful syndrome in the muscles, especially at the beginning of exercise.


Description of Strelnikova’s technique

A. N. Strelnikova developed exercises based on breathing exercises, which have a healing effect on many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular pathologies. The difference between her technique and traditional breathing exercises is that instead of holding the breath, a forced inhalation through the nose is used. Air intake is accompanied by compression of the chest, which allows you to additionally saturate the body with oxygen, improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition. You need to exhale through your mouth, arbitrarily, smoothly and relaxingly. Coordinated movements and breathing have a complex effect on the body's systems; already a quarter of an hour after exercise, a person feels extraordinary lightness and a surge of strength. During regular training, the body becomes younger, excess cholesterol is removed, and blood flow in the vessels is normalized. To stabilize blood pressure, exercises are used:

  1. "Fists." Stand up straight, bend your arms at the elbow joints, open palms facing forward. Actively draw in air through your nose, and at the same time sharply clench your palms into fists. Exhale calmly, slowly. The exercise is repeated 24 times, pausing for 3 seconds between every four breaths.
  2. "Epaulettes." Stand up straight, relax your shoulders, elbows to the sides, hands folded into a fist, pressed to your waist. Taking a deep breath, without unclenching your arms, lower and tense your shoulders. As you exhale, relax. A series of breaths is repeated 8 times, then rest for 4 seconds, the exercise consists of 12 blocks.
  3. "Pumping". The body position is straight, arms down, legs apart. Slowly lean forward and take a deep breath, imagining that you have a pump in your hands. Straightening up, exhale. The block consists of 8 inclinations, which are repeated 12 times, resting for 3 or 4 seconds.

All exercises are done on the count of 4, to the tempo of the march. To begin with, pauses between series can be 10 seconds.

Contraindications for playing sports with hypertension

Sports for hypertension is an important part of therapy, but people with high blood pressure should not use isometric anaerobic exercise. These include strength exercises that require short-term but high tension, during which the body experiences oxygen starvation. Typically, such workouts are aimed at increasing muscle mass, require the use of heavy equipment, and cause a surge in blood pressure, so lifting weights and active movements are prohibited for hypertension.

The main thing is not to overdo it while playing sports: excessive tension will cause increased blood pressure. Therefore, when performing exercises, you should not forget about contraindications:

  1. Prohibited: bodybuilding, sprinting, rhythmic gymnastics, strength fitness, rope climbing, team sports (football, etc.).
  2. Patients should not lift weights, engage in martial arts, wrestling, rowing, tennis, or throwing.
  3. It is prohibited to exercise in sports that involve climbing uphill, even without a load.
  4. It is important to avoid deep bends, excessive strain on the neck and arching of the back.
  5. You should not perform movements involving throwing your head back and holding your breath for a long time, as well as raising your lower limbs above your head.
  6. For hypertension, sports with static tension of individual muscle groups, when the body remains motionless, are not recommended.
  7. When climbing stairs, you should not rush while performing squats; it is important to avoid sharp extension of the leg joints.

If you experience shortness of breath, palpitations, or dark vision during class, you should stop training immediately.

When hypertension has developed, you should not give up; physical activity will help stop the progression of the disease. Properly selected exercises that are appropriate for your condition and age can support the body, stop the progression of the disease, and for some, return it to its former health.

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death today. A healthy diet, regular exercise, cholesterol-lowering medications, and life-saving surgery can reduce your risk of dying from a heart attack.

It is known that coronary heart disease is the most common among many types of heart diseases, not only in men, but also in women. It is caused by atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which occurs when plaque made from cholesterol and other substances builds up in the arteries. Because arteries supply blood to the heart, atherosclerosis interferes with blood flow, narrowing the blood's path, making it difficult for it to reach the heart. Over time, less oxygen reaches the heart, which can cause a heart attack. Coronary artery disease leads to heart failure and arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm).

While some people are genetically predisposed to heart disease and are diagnosed with congenital heart disease, there are also some patients who suffer from whitening due to bad habits and poor lifestyle choices. In the latter case, problems are likely to appear after age fifty-five. A woman's risk of developing the disease increases sharply when she experiences menopause, usually at age fifty. Common risk factors for men and women include:

  • overweight or obesity;
  • smoking;
  • eating unhealthy foods high in fatty, processed foods;
  • sedentary lifestyle and much more.

Having chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) can also make the artery condition worse.

The question often arises as to whether people with this diagnosis are accepted into military service. In this case, everything depends on the specific type of heart defect and the stage of development of the disease. But more often than not, such patients are considered unsuitable for this type of activity.

Features of the disease

Heart disease is chronic, meaning it never goes away. But many medications can effectively control it. Many of these drugs attack high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, helping to keep them in a normal range. As a result, arterial blockage is reduced and essential oxygen and nutrients are supplied to the heart.

Surgery is another option for effectively treating the disease. Two common procedures include the use of a mesh tent to mechanically support the open artery (angioplasty) and bypass surgery. This is when doctors literally "bypass" the diseased artery, creating an alternative route with blood vessels taken from other parts of the body to improve blood flow to the heart.

Most cardiovascular diseases are associated with atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, artery walls become stiff due to the accumulation of fatty deposits called plaque. This circumstance negatively affects the level of blood patency.

Atherosclerosis can occur in any part of the body. In the arteries of the heart it is known as coronary artery disease, in the legs it is known as peripheral arterial disease. Atherosclerosis occurs over a period of time and its consequences can be severe and include heart attack and stroke.

But this is only one type of heart disease. Recently, cases have become more frequent when doctors diagnose congenital heart disease. This disease is most often detected at an early age or during the fetal development of the baby. Accordingly, the sooner treatment for the disease begins, the greater the likelihood of a complete recovery for the baby. Although sometimes there are cases when a person suffers from the disease throughout his life.

How dangerous is the disease?

Many people are interested in the question of what a heart defect is. First of all, it should be noted that this disease indicates changes in the structure of the organ; the structure of the muscle and its functionality are also modified. Perhaps we are talking about a small hole or something more serious.

In some cases, doctors can find these problems during pregnancy. It may also be that symptoms do not appear until adulthood, or the patient may not experience obvious signs of CHD at all. Sometimes this diagnosis is detected only in case of cardiac arrhythmia, when the patient consults a doctor with complaints of a too fast or, conversely, slow heartbeat.

Unfortunately, doctors do not always know why a child developed a congenital heart defect. This is usually a hereditary disease. Most often, there is already someone in the family who has the same health problem.

The list of the most important reasons why heart disease develops includes:

  • Problems with the baby's genes or chromosomes, such as Down syndrome;
  • Taking certain medications, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy;
  • A viral infection such as rubella in the mother in the first trimester of pregnancy.

These are the main risk factors that can cause the development of heart disease in a baby.

But in adults, most often, the disease develops as a result of bad habits and poor lifestyle, as well as frequent nervous experiences.

Types of disease

It should be noted that patients with heart disease may suffer from different types of disease.

Of course, most congenital heart problems are structural problems, such as holes in the organ or problems with the valves. For example:

1 Heart valve defects. One may be too narrow or completely closed. This makes it difficult for blood to penetrate. In other cases, the valve may not close properly, causing blood to flow backwards. 2 Problems with the walls of the heart. These may be holes or passages between the left and right sides of the heart. They cause blood to mix when this should not happen. 3 Problems with the heart muscle. It can lead to heart failure, which means the heart doesn't pump as efficiently as it should. 4 Poor connections between blood vessels. In infants, this causes blood that should go to the lungs to go to other parts of the body instead, or vice versa. These defects can also lead to the development of heart failure.

All of the above health problems become the reason that the patient may be prohibited from playing sports or boys with such a diagnosis will not be accepted into the army. Sometimes, in the most difficult situations, the patient is assigned a disability group and cannot perform certain physical activities. Generally. There are many different situations that present with specific symptoms and require specific treatment.

How do symptoms appear?

Of course, heart disease has its symptoms. They appear in this form:

  • Shortness of breath;
  • Difficulty performing certain physical activities;
  • Symptoms of congenital heart disease in infants and children may include a bluish tint to the skin, nails, and lips (doctors call this cyanosis);
  • Rapid breathing and poor nutrition;
  • Poor weight gain;
  • Heart murmur;
  • Mild infections.

As mentioned above, each type of disease has its own symptoms. Let's say cardiac murmur occurs due to pulmonary valve stenosis. If this disease is at a severe stage of development, then in addition to the above symptoms, you can also observe heavy breathing, a constant feeling of fatigue and very poor appetite.

When pulmonary valve stenosis is combined with other types of disease, a problem may arise that oxygenated blood is not able to flow from one side of the organ to the other, resulting in cyanosis.

Very often, patients with such signs are forced to give up any sports activities. With the exception of certain cardio exercises.

In addition, the disease requires immediate treatment, otherwise its course can negatively affect a person’s life and even lead to death. That is why it is important to correctly and timely diagnose the disease.

How to identify problems

Doctors may find some problems with the functioning of this organ even before the baby is born. These changes can also be found in infants, children or adult patients.

Usually the doctor listens to the heart to check the patient's health. If he hears an unusual sound or murmur, additional examination is prescribed. Namely:

  • An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound that takes pictures of the heart.
  • Cardiac catheterization, in which the doctor guides a very thin, flexible tube (called a catheter) through a blood vessel in the arm or leg to reach the heart. He adds dye through a catheter and then uses X-ray videos to see the heart itself.
  • Chest X-ray. This type of test can look for signs of heart failure.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG). This method measures the electrical activity of the heart.
  • An MRI involves a scan that allows doctors to see the structure of the heart.

If you delve a little deeper into the anatomy of the human body, it becomes clear that with the above diagnosis, even at the time of intrauterine development of the baby, some part of the heart does not form correctly. This changes the normal flow of blood that passes through the organ.

Of course, this disease can be acquired over time. For example, if a person abuses bad habits or leads an unhealthy lifestyle. Well, or, for example, suffered severe stress or constant nervous breakdowns.

If we talk specifically about congenital defects of the heart organ, they can be both simple and complex. Simple ones include small holes that are formed directly in the partitions. Also included in this list is a defect that is associated with a narrowing of the valve, resulting in a blockage of blood flow to the lung or any other part of the body.

But there are also more complex signs of the disease. They consist of both simple and complex defects. Let's say that the problems listed above may be supplemented by incorrect location of blood vessels. As a result, the heart organ does not function properly and this leads to serious consequences for human health.

Correct treatment

In terms of treatment, everything depends on the characteristics of the particular disease, as well as the symptoms that accompany the disease. Sometimes there are cases when no treatment may be needed at all. Or, conversely, medications, surgery or other procedures may be required. If the patient has congenital heart defects, it is necessary to regularly contact a specialist specializing in cardiovascular diseases.

People with congenital heart defects are more likely to experience inflammation of the inner layer of the heart (a condition doctors call endocarditis). In this case, it is necessary to take special medications.

Sometimes a heart defect suggests that the organ has an open foramen ovale, in which case special surgical intervention will have to be performed.

Surgery may also be required when patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is diagnosed.

This is a fairly common heart defect that can occur soon after birth. In the PDA, there is abnormal blood flow between the aorta and the pulmonary artery.
Before birth, these arteries are connected by a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus. This blood vessel is an integral part of the fetal circulation. Within minutes, or up to several days after birth, the ductus arteriosus closes.
However, in some children the ductus arteriosus remains open (patent). The hole allows blood from the aorta, which contains oxygen, to mix with similar fluid from the pulmonary artery, which does not have this component. This can strain the heart and increase pressure in the arteries of the lungs.

The doctor, after a complete examination of the patient and an accurate diagnosis, makes a decision as to whether the problem can be gotten rid of with the help of medications or whether only surgical intervention or other medical procedures are required.

The first thing you should immediately point out is diet.
So, you need to include vegetables and fruits, fiber, bran, and vegetable oils as much as possible in your diet. It would be good to use fish oil. And, of course, eat fish at least twice a week.
Those people who have heart failure should consume foods with the maximum amount of potassium. And those who are overweight should strive to lose it, because it puts additional stress on the heart.
But you should not consume or limit yourself as much as possible in the consumption of animal fats. And such products as fatty meat, fatty cottage cheese, sour cream, sausages, various types of semi-finished products, lard and margarine. Coffee and alcohol are also prohibited. This is especially true for people who have high blood pressure.
Physical activity is needed, but only on the recommendation of a doctor and depending on your state of health.
But classes with an uneven load are prohibited. This is, first of all, carrying heavy weights, sprinting, wrestling and weightlifting.

As for travel, short walks, walks in clean air, near bodies of water, are very necessary for people with heart disease.
But as for long journeys abroad, it is better to limit yourself. Because a plane flight, an uncomfortable position on a train or bus, climate change, and time zone change can negatively affect your health.
But each person is individual; before making any long trip, it is better to consult a doctor and discuss possible stress on the heart and the body as a whole.
As for work, if the doctor forbade you to engage in your type of activity, then it is better to listen to him and not engage in “heroism”. Because such behavior may not end well. But, be that as it may, you should continue to live a normal life, and not stand aloof from everything.
It should be noted that if the heart defect was cured medically or surgically, and the person completed a rehabilitation course, then he can easily return to his normal routine and do what he loves. I repeat, but everything is purely individual.
As for intimate life, you shouldn’t be so overly active here. Better take care of your aching heart. Especially when severe shortness of breath occurs after intimacy, blood pressure rises.
So we figured it out, what is not allowed what can you do with heart defect, and, in general, with heart disease. Take care of yourself and your heart, and may it serve you for many, many years to come.

As a rule, patients with heart defects were recommended to lead a quiet lifestyle without physical activity.
Modern medicine thinks differently and suggests searching and choosing the right physical loads with heart disease. Loads should always be, but only moderate.

Allowed physical activity for heart disease

participation in sports games
light set of physical exercises
maintaining an active lifestyle
daily walks in the fresh air
Physical activity and other activities are strictly prohibited for patients diagnosed with a serious form of the defect.
When engaging in physical activity, patients need to take into account the influence of other unfavorable factors that can have a direct impact on the performance of the heart. For example, the heart cannot tolerate high temperatures. Therefore, before making a decision to go on vacation to hot countries, it would be a good idea to consult with a cardiologist.

Separately about pregnant women

If congenital heart defects affect women carrying a child, it is worth noting that any stress of a pregnant woman can cause heart failure. In addition, such women are at high risk of miscarriage or premature birth. It follows from this that any physical activity, if any, should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
The ability of patients suffering from heart disease to exercise depends on the recommendations of the cardiologist and the severity of the disease.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is not a limitation for physical education and some sports, provided that the reverse blood flow is localized in the area of ​​the valve leaflets, and the degree of sagging does not exceed 6 mm. Therefore, before starting classes, you need to undergo a comprehensive cardiological examination.

Read in this article

Is it possible to play sports with prolapse?

In order to determine the degree of risk for an athlete due to valve prolapse, the following indicators are taken into account:

  • complaints of fatigue and shortness of breath;
  • and early ECG; when they are combined, an additional transesophageal study is performed;
  • the degree of sagging of the valves and their length;
  • the presence of reverse blood flow into the left atrium;
  • myxomatous changes in the leaflets (increase in thickness above 5 mm) of the valve apparatus.

If the examination reveals the opposite direction of blood flow during the period of ventricular contraction, then you need to stop exercising for a while and undergo treatment. Based on the results of the therapy, a conclusion will be made about the possibility of further sports activities.

Sports doctors are especially wary if MVP is detected in children or adolescents. At the same time, they have a typical asthenic physique, characteristic of genetic pathology - tall stature, deformed or flattened chest.

Persons can be allowed to engage in non-severe sports if there are no complaints, grade 1 valve prolapse, weak, no signs of MVP, extrasystoles and ischemia on the ECG, and good exercise tolerance.

Sports and PMC

Sports and MCP are compatible, but not in all cases. Cardiologists do not mind moderate physical activity for 98% of patients; it helps increase endurance and improves general condition. They are recommended to be included in the daily routine. But there are contraindications for sports competitions and professional activities. In addition, depending on the degree of blood flow back, there are restrictions on sports.

Mitral valve prolapse and contraindications to sports

With mitral valve prolapse, professional sports are contraindicated; patients with the following conditions are not allowed to compete:

What sports are acceptable for grade 1-3 mitral valve prolapse?

Although there are no clear criteria by which it is possible to determine an acceptable sport for each patient with MVP, there is a division into dangerous and relatively non-traumatic for the heart. At the same time, the general approach to the selection of athletes is that grade 3 prolapse is a categorical contraindication, and for grades 1 and 2 load restrictions are introduced.


Is it possible to go jogging?
For grade 1 prolapse, running is permitted, and for grade 2 prolapse, permission can be issued with circulatory compensation confirmed by a diagnostic study.

Is swimming allowed? Synchronized swimming is not indicated for grade 2 MVP, since due to prolonged exposure to water there is a risk of loss of consciousness. For regular swimming, the restrictions are the same as for other non-strength sports.

What kind of loads are possible in the gym? Patients with MVP should not lift weights; their own body weight is recommended as a burden; jumping should be avoided. When training, you should prefer cardio.

Is dance training acceptable? Since the load when dancing is the fast rhythm of movements, with 1st degree of prolapse such hobbies are not excluded. You just need to choose types that exclude the support of partners, as this can lead to sudden disruption of cardiac and cerebral circulation.

Is it possible to choose boxing if you have valve prolapse? This sport is associated with the risk of sudden impacts to the chest, which can cause the valve to rupture under intense impact, therefore boxing is prohibited for all athletes diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, even with 1 degree of prolapse.

PMC degrees and physical activity

With grade 3 regurgitation (reflux of blood into the atrium), physical activity in sports is not indicated. Physical therapy is permitted after the examination. In the initial (first) degree there are no restrictions, but the patient is not allowed to participate in sports competitions in almost all forms. Exceptions may be badminton, shooting, cricket.

If the second degree is detected, then the following are allowed:

  • table tennis,
  • figure skating,
  • sprint,
  • swimming,
  • gymnastics,
  • judo.

Before starting equestrian and motorcycle sports, car racing, diving, and synchronized swimming, a comprehensive examination and an individual opinion from a cardiologist are required.

What are the dangers of excessive physical activity during MVP?

The asymptomatic course of MVP usually does not cause problems for athletes. With significant changes in the configuration of the valve apparatus, the following complications arise:

The reasons for the reverse flow of blood during MVP are excess tissue (thickening of the valves), widening of the hole to which they are attached, lengthening of the tendon threads (chords). Leaf rupture often occurs after chest trauma. Blockage of cerebral vessels develops quite rarely in the form of ischemic stroke or intermittent disturbances of cerebral blood flow.

Sudden death with MVP occurs, as a rule, among family cases of pathology, its main cause is an attack of ventricular fibrillation. Predisposing risk factors for this complication include complex arrhythmias, a long QT interval, and signs of myocardial ischemia on the ECG.

These changes may not be detected during a routine ECG study. Therefore, if complaints include short-term loss of consciousness, patients should undergo ECG monitoring or functional stress tests.

If at least one risk factor has been identified, then sports, and especially participation in competitions, should be stopped. At the same time, ordinary physical activity is not limited. Athletes with MVP, even with good load tolerance, achieve lower results than healthy individuals.

Watch this video about playing sports for heart disease:

The best exercise for mitral valve prolapse

The basis of the health system for patients with MVP is cyclic exercises to increase endurance and aerobic reserves of the body. The most useful of them are walking and slow running. You need to start training with the very minimum load, which gradually increases. Features of mitral valve prolapse:

The indicator of effectiveness is heart rate. It is calculated using the formula: 220 minus age, the favorable interval is in the range of 50 - 75 percent of the result obtained. Less load will not bring any benefit, and more is dangerous to health.

With regular exercise, the heart works in a more economical mode, the content of atherogenic lipids and the effect of stress hormones on the myocardium are reduced, the formation of blood clots is inhibited, and the rhythm and strength of contractions are normalized.

Running for mitral valve prolapse

Exercise therapy for mitral valve prolapse

General rules for conducting physical therapy classes for mitral valve prolapse:

  • activity should be moderate, overexertion is not allowed;
  • breathing must be smooth, it cannot be held at the height of the load;
  • it is necessary to control the pulse rate; it is not allowed to increase above the limit values ​​(the favorable interval is 50 to 75% of 220 minus age);
  • Strength exercises and heavy lifting are not recommended;
  • when compiling a complex, it includes movements involving large muscle groups;
  • It is mandatory to warm up before training, and relaxation at the end;
  • the duration should not exceed 30 minutes, especially in the first days; in just a week you need to train at least 150 minutes;
  • on days free from physical therapy, dosed walking is indicated.

Exercise therapy for prolapse

Exercises for prolapse

An approximate set of exercises for prolapse:

  • walking in place with acceleration and deceleration (1 minute);
  • high bent leg raises (30 seconds);
  • walking on toes and heels (30 seconds each);
  • circular movements of the arms forward and backward (10 times);
  • body turns (hands on the belt, 8 hands in each direction);
  • circular movements of the hips (10 circles);
  • slow run 2 minutes;
  • raise your arms up through your sides and sharply lower them down, tilting your torso (repeat 5 times).

Lying on your back:

  • raise bent legs at the knees (inhale), lower them with exhalation (8-15 repetitions depending on how you feel);
  • imitation of cycling (1 minute, then relax for 30 seconds);
  • raise your legs at a right angle and, without changing position, lower them to the right and left of the body (10 repetitions);
  • rest for 1 minute.

In childhood and adolescence, dosed physical activity stimulates the processes of development and growth of the body and activates metabolic processes. This helps the child adapt to stress and reduces the risk of complications that may arise with MVP. Therefore, excessive restrictions in physical development worsen the course of this pathology.

Mitral valve prolapse with an asymptomatic course and the absence of reverse blood flow during contraction of the left ventricle is not a contraindication to sports. To determine the correct level of physical activity, an ECG with functional tests is indicated.

Strength and traumatic sports are not recommended for patients with MVP; grade 3 prolapse implies a complete refusal of sports exercises, and for grades 1 and 2, the type of exercise depends on hemodynamic parameters. Therapeutic exercises are recommended for all patients; the indicator of its effectiveness is the pulse rate.

Useful video

Watch the video about mitral valve prolapse:

Read also

It is not easy to identify mitral valve prolapse; its symptoms in the initial stage are subtle. If a teenager is found to have mitral valve prolapse with regurgation, what will be the treatment? Is it possible to join the army and play sports?

  • Due to deformation and disruption, regurgitation of the mitral valve may occur, which subsequently leads to thickening of the leaflets, dysfunction and insufficiency. There may be several degrees of progression of the pathology.
  • Because of training, an athlete's heart is different from that of an ordinary person. For example, by stroke volume, rhythm. However, a former athlete or when taking stimulants may develop diseases - arrhythmia, bradycardia, hypertrophy. To prevent this, you should take special vitamins and medications.
  • Prosthetic heart valve replacement, such as the mitral and aortic valves, can save lives. Surgeries to implant a prosthesis are carried out even on a beating heart. There may be complications and rehabilitation is needed.