Whats Life Like for Teens With Marfan Syndrome?
Marfan syndrome affects people differently, so life is not the same for all teens who have it. Some have severe cases of Marfan syndrome and many symptoms that require lots of medical care. Others have such a mild form that they simply need to have a checkup once a year. There are lots of things teens with Marfan syndrome can do to help keep themselves healthy. The most important is to avoid putting extra stress on the heart. That means avoiding any sport where there’s a lot of running, physical contact, muscle straining, or the chance of getting hit in the chest — things like basketball, football, baseball, gymnastics, weightlifting, and track. That may sound like a bummer, but it doesn’t mean teens with Marfan syndrome are destined to be couch potatoes. They can and should exercise and be active — they just have to do it carefully. If you have Marfan syndrome, check with your doctor about what’s safe. Safe activities are usually things like non-competitive bike riding, swimming, or d
