Why would my heart doctor be impressed with this?

Pressing down like you are straining to poop puts stress on your heart. He liked the sound of your heart under strain.

But I’ll second what @Charles said: It’s your heart and your life: be brave and ask the doctor “what does that mean?” You should ask that every time any doctor makes any comment.

And if the Doc doesn’t say anything, then ask, “So what do you think Doctor?”

I found this online from RWJ med school (New Jersey):

It is important to continue listening after Valsalva release. Phase four auscultation is useful in distinguishing left-sided from right-sided murmurs. Right-sided murmurs (such as pulmonic stenosis) that decrease in intensity during phase two will return to baseline intensity almost immediately after Valsalva release. Left-sided murmurs (such as aortic stenosis) require five to ten cardiac cycles to return to baseline.

@silky1, maybe this last sentence is relevant & your doctor was talking about 3 (a small number) of cardiac cycles indicating the valve is not too narrowed? Ask your doctor—they won’t mind.

Straining to pass excrement applies pressure to your Vegus Nerve. The Vegus Nerve can cause your heart to palpitate. Palipations are dangerous with heart conditions….I am no doctor though and no offense, why would you not ask the doctor while you were right there? Call the doctors back.

@judochop: it’s Vagus not Vegus ;)

Phone typing. Thanks. You’re correct.