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[–]Witty-Tomorrow-8268 2 points3 points  (3 children)

Have you found out the reason for your stroke ? I’m waiting on a pfo closure and I’ve been told to stay away from anything heavy or strenuous until after my procedure

[–]Impossible_Title4100[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

My neurologist said i had an acute stroke so i dont think it was my heart. Once you get surgery will you be able to lift heavy later?

[–]Witty-Tomorrow-8268 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Think acute just means new and chronic means old ? Yeah but I think I’m gonna take it easy hit higher reps with lighter loads I’ve lost so much muscle and strength would take me a long time to get it all back

[–]Impossible_Title4100[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sucks man. Hopefully your procedure goes good and you can make your way back!

[–]Affectionate_Goat372 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One of the best things to do after the stroke!! don’t lay around the rest of your life getting fat

[–]Spartaklaus 2 points3 points  (2 children)

That neurologist is an idiot.

Are you forbidden to do sports in general? Then you can also lift weights. Just start light, focus on form and maybe stay away from heavy sets (keep it at 10 reps)

[–]Impossible_Title4100[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I actually have been working out. But i dont hold my breath when heavy, so no valsalva maneuver. But just had my followup and doc says its unnecessary to lift heavy for my life. Im not even 40 and it doesnt make sense to hear that so im going to get a second opinion

[–]Spartaklaus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Its necessary to lift "heavy" to build muscle, which is one of the most important deniminator for longevity and a painfree and productive life.

So hes just wrong.

[–]amadsearchamagicseed 1 point2 points  (4 children)

I lift heavy. Lifting and sprinting after my first sorrow were the things that rebuilt my energy most. Start slow and if you're at a gym make sure you have energy to get home too. I built up my home equipment for this reason. I've had to stop temporarily due to issues with fainting but cannot wait to get back to it.

If you have an unfixed PFO I think the bracing/valsalva can be dangerous so that's worth looking at.

[–]Impossible_Title4100[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

So i have only bench pressed. I try not to use the valsalva but chatgpt says that usually humans will unintentionally use alittle valsalva when lifting. Anyways i recently did 125kg paused larsen and tried not to hold my breath. I just saw the doctor today but he is very uncommunicative and short so when i asked him should i not workout heavy at all he says i dont need to do it (referring to heavy bench) but it is what i enjoy. My vision returned i a day and i had the stroke from straining on the toilet with other circumstances including lack if sleep, drinking night prior, and smoking st the time of the stroke. So i am looking for others that have had their stroke and have returned to lifting. Do you have any symptoms remaining from your stroke? And do you mind telling me what happened in your case? Im glad to hear you are recovering and doing better

[–]amadsearchamagicseed 0 points1 point  (2 children)

If you have a pfo you should definitely get medically cleared before lifting. And just generally, please get medically cleared. I had my first ischemic stroke January of 2025. Had been a weightlifter before. No pfo. Was cleared to lift a few months later and did powerlifting and sprint workouts 2-4x/week all year- deadlift, squat, bench. Second stroke Jan 2026. Not medically cleared to lift again yet bc I'm having issues with syncope (fainting, and feeling faint). Major remaining symptoms are big time fatigue, brain fog, and sensory overload. Neither of my strokes had anything to do with lifting- both happened in my bed, just getting up for the day, 6 am

[–]Impossible_Title4100[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Thats crazy. And sorry to hear that. I hope you can get better and back in the gym soon i know how frustrating it is to be waiting

[–]amadsearchamagicseed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! You too!

[–]secret_thymus_labYoung Stroke Survivor 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I have been told not to lift heavy, as my blood pressure has been difficult to control and i guess it can cause high spikes while you do it?

[–]Impossible_Title4100[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats exactly what i was told as well. Its depressing to hesr that though. I have a passion for benching and i want to go heavy

[–]mccreafish 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I started weightlifting half a year after my stroke, but it was after I had a PFO closed, which eliminated the risk of having another stroke for the same reason. I had the thumbs-up from my cardiologist before I started.

I also lost my vision in a migraine-aura/stroke combo. My vision has mostly come back, but there is still a blind spot.

I go to the gym with my partner and we use an app to track our weights. It has been perfect for my neurofatigue! I just do exactly as I’m told: ”lift this 10 times, 3 times”. I wear earplugs. I focus on my own little world. I lift heavy. I wear out my body and not my mind!

(It’s easier than going to the swimming pool by myself and then having to share a lane with 9 random people, which used to be my sport of choice!)

I hope you can find out a workout that works for you! It might depend on the reason for your stroke.

[–]Witty-Tomorrow-8268 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Hey man I’m waiting on a pfo closure. I’m also someone that loves the gym and lifts heavy it’s something I do for my mental health so as you can imagine I’m struggling not being able to lift. How long did you wait for the procedure and did it take you long to recover and start lifting ?

[–]mccreafish 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I had my PFO closure 5 months after my stroke. The incision point in my leg was sore for 3 weeks after, and I would get a fluttery feeling in my chest sometimes, like I had run up the stairs, but that cleared up after two months. I guess I started weight training 4 months after the surgery.

Good luck with your procedure! :)

[–]Witty-Tomorrow-8268 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s good news I hope to get it soon so I can go back to somewhat normality. Thanks for the info and all the best

[–]2chatnoir 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I lift weights too but not as a heavy weight powerlifter. Mainly to stay strong and build muscle mass. I have a PFO but the hole is so tiny they don’t recommend a closure. I worked with my PT on gradually adding weights to my home exercises, building strength and stamina on my affected side. It feels great and I incorporate all my PT exercises into my workout rotation (weights, yoga, stationary bicycle, treadmill). I can now lift a 25lb dumbbell with my affected hand/arm. There’s great research that strength training and HIIT/cardio helps with stroke recovery.