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Question:

Is it safe to exercise with a severe leak of the mitral valve?

Is it safe to exercise with a severe leak of the mitral valve?  Also with a fib [atrial fibrillation] at the same time?

submitted by Rachel from St. Louis, Missouri, on 11/5/09

Answer:

by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Ali Massumi, MD

No, only mild aerobic exercises such as walking on flat surfaces or a gentle bicycle ride are appropriate. Strenuous exercise can cause congestive heart failure or increase the atrial fibrillation rate.  

See also on this site: 

• Diseases of the Mitral Valve
• Atrial Fibrillation (Categories of Arrhythmia)
• Heart Information Center

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Updated November 2009