Diagnosed with Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV), can I still play sports?

I  would really appreciate some feedback from anyone, even if you just know someone with BAVD, because I don’t know a single person who is having the same problem I do. Also, let me just add that I have been a rugby player, not a professional one but rugby was a great part of my life. I am planning to continue playing. I am not going for the professional carrier (unfortunately that ship has sailed) , I am just planning to do it as a hobby. I’m interested to know will that affect my health since I’m aware that my disease might not tolerate much physical activity. 

Hey guys.
I am playing three kind of sports since I was a kid. I am swimming, playing tennis and soccer. I am female and 27 years old. I am into sports all my life and I just can’t imagine to stop doing any of those sports. A few days ago I had traditional physical examination and I was diagnosed with Bicuspid aortic valve.
Now, I need to go to the doctor and do bunch of some tests, probably to see is this dangerous, which stage it is, etc. I am confused because I want to know can I still play sports? It is the same question and I am hoping for some new answers :)
Thank you!

Hello there guys.

I play sports and I was interested in this issue as well. You know why? Because I can only make a small pause with sports like I am doing now (I have some health issues as well, but as soon as they are over I will continue to play sports).

So I was talking with some guy who had this problem as well. I mean, he still is having this problem. But he plays sports regularly. Of course, he take a good care of his health and he is visiting his doctor very often. He is just OK.

Hey everyone.

My ex – friend was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve and I know that this is one of the most common congenital heart diseases. It is often found in the athletes and it the general population as well.

I believe that you can play sports but you need to be very careful because BAV can lead to aortic valve dysfunction and to some progressive aortic dilatation.

Now I need to tell you that every BAV condition in some people is totally different and some of the diagnoses can be dangerous, while some can be very easy treatable with medications. This is one way to determine are you able to play sports.

My ex – friend Josh could play it.

Hello. Sorry about your disease Alan.

My boyfriend had a professional sports career and I know how hard was for him to give it up when the disease came.

As for Bicuspid Aortic Valvae disease, I think that I can’t give you a general answer.

It is not something that stands for all people who suffer from this disease, it is very individual.

It depends on your age, severity of lesions and also the type of sports. You are planning to continue playing rugby?

That is a very demanding sport, maybe you should try with something less demanding. That’s my advice.

Hey everyone. I am used to play sport professionally and I was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve. My whole world just crashed down in just one minute. I consulted my doctor and he told me that I can play sports but that I need to be monitored very carefully. So I listened to him and I continue to play sports. But after two months I noticed that I don’t have strength to play anymore. I was tired after 10 minutes so I quit. Maybe I could try harder but I was not able. I want to tell you that everything depends – if you have a will I think that everything will be ok.

Rugby or any other sports really, it doesn’t matter to me. It could be basketball, soccer or just running. I just need to be physically active because when I’m not, I start feeling bad, mentally. I need physical activity to keep me healthy. If I’m inactive for a long time I start feeling useless.

I have talked with a friend who knows a lot about these things and he told me that, according to him, people diagnosed with Bicuspid Aortic Valve should not play sports. He says that intense or even regular physical activity can affect my health, not in a good way.

 

I think that the second guest on this topic gave you the best answer. Read it once more.

He wrote you a personal experience from which you can learn a lot more than from other replies.

The truth is, nobody can stop you from working out, but you need to be aware that your hearth is not functioning properly, it’s harder for it to function, so it would be good not to make it even harder for it by having intensive workouts. Sure you can run from time to time, but don’t force it. You don’t need that. A simple walk will have the same effect.