Sweating, out of breath, a faster heart rate. All symptoms that come with intense exercise and that many people are not surprised by. After all, those symptoms go away after a few minutes of taking it easy. But what if you were born with a heart defect? Then a faster heartbeat suddenly seems a lot less innocent. What about sports then?
Tim Takken is a medical physiologist. He emphasizes that sports and exercise are especially important for children with a congenital heart defect: “By moving regularly, you keep your ‘engine’ in good condition.” According to Tim, it is wise to choose a sport that suits you well: “If you have low fitness, it is difficult to keep up with a sport that requires high fitness.” He emphasizes that you have to like the sport, as well as that the sport suits your fitness level. “After all, that’s when you’ll stick with sports the longest.”
While exercising, there are a few factors to watch out for. “Be honest with yourself. If you’re not feeling well during sports, don’t keep going because you think you’re letting your team down,” Tim says. He also indicates that you shouldn’t go over your own limits. For example, do you get lightheaded or get a headache during or after exercise? Does little activity cause you to pant? Or do you feel an irregular heartbeat? “Then seek advice from your cardiologist,” Tim recommends. According to him, parents of children with a congenital heart defect can also watch for certain signs: “If children can’t sleep well at night, or are still very tired the next morning, they may have done a little too much the previous day.” Finally, it is not a good idea to exercise if you have a fever, or have had one in the past few days. “That’s unhealthy for your heart,” Tim says.
At the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, many children and adolescents with a (congenital) heart defect receive an exercise test. “With this we can objectively determine their exercise capacity and see how their body reacts to exertion,” Tim explains. Such an exercise test is best done in a specialized center, according to him, because a (congenital) heart defect must be taken into account when reading the results of such a test.
So the right sport depends on a few factors. Not only your own preference is important, but also the condition of your heart matters a lot. But one thing we know for sure: exercising with a congenital heart condition is really only healthy for you, as long as you do a sport that suits you.
Small note: the word intensive is different for everyone. Therefore, it is a good idea to have an exercise test done by an expert. Ask your attending cardiologist about the possibilities.
