Activity restrictions?

Linda - posted on 07/25/2010

Jackie, my daughter had the fenestrated fontan when she was 3 years old and had the fenestration closed a year later in the cardiac cath lab with the cardioseal. It was a one day hospital stay and since then she has maintained her sats around 95. She is now 13.

Jackie - posted on 07/24/2010

My son is now 14 (hypoplastic right heart syndrome, ASD, VDS, tricuspid atresia). He has always had restrictions on "contact sports" (football, karate, etc) and anything that requires "prolonged strenuous, physical activities (cross country running etc). We tried soccer, and he couldn't do the sustained running and tennis but in the summer he doesn't handle extreme temperatures well (cold or heat). He had a fenistrated Fontane and his hole never closed, so that may be part of the reason. His sats are currently dropping, and we will have a stress test to look at how the fenistration changes during activity and determine when we need to close it. This might make a difference in his ability to "keep up" with other kids. He just wears out so quickly compared to other kids his age.

Gwen - posted on 04/28/2010

When I was growing up in the 80s and the 90s, my cardiologist did not want me to play any sports at all. I had 2 open-heart surgeries, and they were afraid I'd get hurt playing sports. I think nowadays there are different restrictions.

Kerry - posted on 03/22/2010

hello, my 5 year old son has a number of heart probs, but he does everything my others do. sometimes he has to stop and take a breather but he plods along really well. he knows when he's done too much and sometimes just walking is a problem but mainly when its hot. you couldn't tell which one of my kids has heart probs cos i've never wrapped him up in cotton wool. good luck. xx

Kaitie - posted on 03/19/2010

Well I am a mommy now and I have tricuspid atresia with a pacemaker and all that jazz... I danced my whole life practically and was able to pretty much do whatever I wanted to. My parents always just told me that if im tired then rest... I now have had a baby and am doing great. Believe me your child will learn how to read her own body and make choices off that. I was able to live life perfectly normal. The only thing you may have to do is watch your child while playing and if you notice they are breathing hard or having difficulty then have them rest and drink some water. But try to not make decisions now on what the future may hold... every day is different and you may have a child that doesnt care.

Kerry - posted on 09/28/2009

hi, my son's 5 and has a number of heart probs. they can't put kids on a tread mill (i asked once) its a watch and wait thing. some days my son can do loads and other days he can't walk for more than 10 mins. its hard but as they grow they seem to know how much they can do. i have to go with the school when they go swimming as if he holds his breath he goes blue and they panic. its scary but we live life as much as we can and he still fights with his older brothers, so he's as 'normal' as any other child.
hope this helps.
Kerry

Deborah - posted on 09/22/2009

My son is 6 years old with Hypoplastic left heart sydrome and his cardiologist doesn't have any activity restriction, but my son knows his limits. If he get tired then he knows he needs to take a break.

Sandy - posted on 08/04/2009

We were told by Brady's cardiologist to let him say if he can or can't do something. I always make sure his school and sports coaches know of his condition and to let him rest if he needs to.

Linda - posted on 07/10/2009

my daughter is 12 and had the Glenn at 5months and Fontan at 3 years. She does normal day to day activities,playing, bilke riding swimming, she has even been snow skiing, but no competive sports. She just finished 6th grade and in PE when they run the mile, she is allowed to walk. Basically her cardiologist wants her to be able to self limit her activity and not be pushed and that is the reason she is not in sports. With PE I spoke with her PE teacher and told her and she also has a written note from cardiologist. It was never an issue when she was younger, but sometimes in middle school if PE teachers are not aware of childs condition they may try to push. Communicate with your childs teacher when she starts school and have a written note from cardiologist for PE if it is an issue. My daughter is doing very well and it is not an issue that she cannot do sports- she participates in choir, drama and Girl Scouts instead.