Can I still lift weights with a heart condition?

[evil genius]

I am 45 years old and have been weight training for many years. I have recently been told I have Left Ventricular Hypertophy, Low Ejection Fraction (35%) and Global Hypokinesis. I also have a history of High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol (LDL), High Triglycerides and Anxiety. I have been on various medications for many years to control these conditions. I am currently taking Atacand (for BP), Zetia (cholesterol) and Effexor (anxiety). My cardiologist has recently prescribed Coreg which I am now taking in addition to my other meds.

I have used many bodybuilding supplements including prohormones, various forms of creatine and stimulants. I also take Multi Vitamins, Omega 3 and Hawthorn Berry. In my 20's I frequently used Cocaine, Meth and I still use Cannabis regularly. I have been Coke and Meth free for around 15 years. I smoked cigarettes from my teens until my early 30's. I do not drink much alcohol although I have in the past. I am aware that these substances may have contributed to my condition.

However my question is could any of my bodybuilding supplementation have caused my heart condition? Will I ever be able to weight train again? What if I were to use low weights with high reps? What about cardio? I have not exercised at all since learning of my condition. But now I feel miserable and have always felt better when I workout regularly.

Are there any bodybuilding supplements that I can still take? What supplements would be beneficial for my heart? What should I avoid using?

Is it possible that taking all these prescribed meds at once could have a negative effect? What about the side effects? Is it really necessary to take Atacand and Coreg together?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[karate_mom]

Hawthorne Berry, or any other herbal supplement is not FDA approved and can be quite dangerous. I took Sleepy time tea, and stayed up as if were cocaine. Some of those have adverse affects on the system. Obviously, you shouldn't take a stimulant when you have heart problems. I would take what the Dr. says, and vitamins, but nothing else. Ask your cardiologist if you can lift weights. Cardio like runnig or cycling, will naturally lower your blood pressure, and lower your cholesterol. Maybe you should try that. And Cannibus should cause heart palpitations.

[mike95765]

I'm not sure about your specific condition but I was diagnosed with CHF a little over a year ago, EF around 15% at 39 yo. It's now back to about 45%. My cardiologist strongly recommended against weighlifting, at least until I was compeltely recovered, unless it was very low weight with high reps. I tried heavy weights at about EF = 30% and felt it was too much of a strain. His advice was that weighlifting strains the heart and raises your bp, exactly the opposite of what you need to recover. I just recently started again when I got the 45% result and so far no problems, I also bike and run 4-5x week. My only supplement is creatine, meds are Diovan and Coreg CR, plus the ICD they stuck in. I ran across a study that found weightlifting on it's own is not helpful for CHF patients but combined with aerobics may be ok. The study concluded straight aerobic exercise without weightlifting is the most beneficial for CHF, no surprise. Hope some of that helps, take it slow and ease back in to it, I'd recommend ditching the supplements.