World’s first study on role-playing may benefit people with ‘half heart’

Taylor Colvin was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome shortly after her birth.

The now 21-year-old had three heart surgeries before she was four, the first of which was when she was just three days old.

World's first study on role-playing may benefit people with 'half heart'

While many others with such a serious heart condition – with half a heart – were advised against exercising, the Canberra resident said her medical team had always encouraged her to exercise within her limits and told her she was the only one who could. Determine what they were.

“I have always been very active. Ever since I was a kid, I climbed trees and played soccer at lunchtime. When I got older, I did a lot of rock climbing, and now I do a little dance next to the gym,” said Miss Colvin.

“The only thing I missed was joining a formal football team, but even then, I don’t have any major regrets.

“It’s hard sometimes (living with half a heart), but in the end, it’s part of what makes me who I am, and I love that.”

Camera Icon Taylor Colvin, 21, was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome shortly after her birth. Credit: Delivered Camera Icon When she was only three days old, she had her first heart surgery. Delivered Credit: Delivered

A leading cardiologist at the Heart Research Institute wants to test the age-old theory that prevented others with congenital heart disease (CHD) from exercising for fear that their hearts would be put under too much stress if they did.

Associate Professor Rachel Cordina hopes to recruit 400 Australians with the disease, including children, to participate in the world’s first study to determine whether resistance training improves heart function, lung growth, oxygen uptake, and life expect tenancy.

As part of the study, children would train face-to-face in small groups in their environment, while adults would be trained by Heart Research Institute, personal trainers at local gyms.

Professor Cordina said that half-hearted people had the worst life expectancy of CHD patients and believed part of that was because they had been warned not to exercise for their entire lives.

Camera Icon Associate Professor Rachel Cordina hopes to recruit 400 Australians with the disease to participate in the world’s first study. Credit provided: NCA NewsWire

She said treatments to improve the patient’s circulation were not well established.

“An entire generation of children has grown up consciously without exercising, putting them at risk of becoming obese from inactivity,” says Professor Cordina.

“Some have developed into adults who are very unfit and not close to the physical activity recommendations for the general population.

“Emerging research now suggests that exercise is even more important than in the general population for people with the most complex forms of CHD, as it has special effects on circulation, as well as on their physical and mental health and quality of life.

“Pilot data showed that regular resistance exercise improves their heart output, their exercise capacity — their circulatory system worked much better.”

She said the study gave hope to families and young people with CHD.

About 1600 people live with Fontan or “half heart” CHD, and over 100,000 live with other types of complex CHD in Australia and New Zealand.

Lori J. Kile
I love to write and create. I love photography, design, travel and art. I am a full time freelance writer and photographer.I am very excited to be creating new content and opportunities for my readers.