Severe aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve thickens or stiffens and fails to open properly. About 300,000 people are believed to be living with this heart condition in the UK.
Participants on the trial complete up to six weeks of exercise at the hospital’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Southampton Clinical Research Facility, guided by clinicians and tailored to their individual fitness levels.
Each session is carefully monitored with heart and oxygen sensors to ensure safety and assess each individual’s response.
Four patients have taken part so far and reported no safety issues.
Graeme added: “After the first session I was surprised, I thought it was going to be really difficult. It is challenging but actually it doesn’t leave me physically exhausted in the same was as just walking around town or walking upstairs at home does.”
He will attend these sessions for a few more weeks to improve his fitness further before his operation. Many more patients like him are expected to follow.