My 7-year-old child is about to undergo heart valve repair surgery. I would like to ask the doctor if, after the surgery, my child can play sports and what kind of exercises would be suitable? (Thuy Anh, Ho Chi Minh City)
Reply:
Congenital heart surgery is an operation performed to repair defects in the heart chambers, valves, walls, and major blood vessels supplying the heart. Some common congenital heart surgeries include closing ventricular or atrial septal defects, closing the ductus arteriosus, repairing or replacing heart valves, and surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot.
After surgery, in addition to special care for pain relief and nutrition, parents need to establish a suitable exercise regimen for their child to avoid injuring the surgical wound and help the child recover faster. Specifically, the exercise guidelines for children of different ages are as follows:
For children under 1 year old
During the first two weeks after surgery: Change the child's position frequently to prevent mucus buildup, lung collapse, and improve blood circulation; avoid activities that may affect the surgical wound such as lying on their stomach, using an electric hammock, crawling, etc.
For the next 4 weeks : Encourage gentle physical activity; avoid letting the baby roll over, crawl, or sit in a walker...
For the next 8 weeks: The child can move and engage in normal activities; however, care should be taken to avoid activities that put strain on the child's chest, such as falls or bumps.
For children over 1 year old and teenagers
During the first two weeks after surgery : Do not allow the child to lie on their stomach, move their arms and legs too vigorously, or play sports.
For the next 4 weeks : Do not let the child push or pull heavy objects; gentle exercise is allowed, but avoid vigorous arm movements; no excessive running or jumping, and no climbing more than two flights of stairs.
Over the next 8 weeks : Children can attend school and participate in normal activities; avoid activities that may put impact on the chest area, such as playing soccer, martial arts, basketball, volleyball, etc.
Your 7-year-old child is about to undergo heart valve repair surgery. During the post-operative period and the first 12 weeks after surgery, you need to follow the doctor's instructions regarding appropriate physical activity for your child. After this period, your child can return to daily activities, exercise, or play sports that are within their capabilities. However, it's best to start with gentle exercises such as slow walking, cycling, yoga, etc., then gradually increase the intensity and progress to badminton, swimming, soccer, etc., when your child's health is completely stable.
While your child is playing sports, be mindful not to overexert them and encourage them to rest when they feel tired. Children who have undergone heart surgery should also avoid exercising in extremely hot or cold weather, as this can easily affect blood pressure and increase the risk of other cardiovascular diseases. Ideally, you should take your child for regular check-ups and follow-up appointments. Depending on the results of each follow-up visit—whether the child still has residual valve stenosis or leakage, pulmonary hypertension, or pericardial effusion—the doctor will advise on appropriate exercises based on their condition.
After heart surgery, children need to be monitored almost for life to detect abnormalities early and address any recurrence promptly. Parents should encourage their children to eat a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity. This is a manifestation of a healthy lifestyle that children should maintain until adulthood.
Dr. Pham Thuc Minh Thuy, Specialist Level I
Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Cardiovascular Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City
Source link
Comment (0)