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Weight Lifting and exercise with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Tips?
At 52 ish HOCM was discovered and my surgeon cut out some excess muscle out of my heart and changed out a valve. He made a mitro valve choice that 4 years later had to be redone/open heart again. All to say- not a lot of working out/exercise in the last 10 years. For 5 years I have been trying to find info on exercise with HCM. My cardiologist- who I do love- just keeps saying “go live life”. It is encouraging. And it isn’t. Still a bit tired and gasping for air on inclines. (Heart?! Out of shape?)
There are plenty of days where I feel my heart beat and it feels like a full body quake that others can see! (They can’t) (heart)
My question~
The other day, to encourage a friend, I went to
“The exercise coach” for three sessions.
It is a program of 20 min 2 x week pretty intensive weights.
Am I doing damage?
I am exhausted after for a day or two .
(Heart? Or out of shape?)
I watched my heart rate last time I went, it stayed under 100bpm.
After the second open heart surgery, I was walking and doing small weights and changed my diet (which really wasn’t too bad already). It has almost been a year and have had some movement toward better shape. But it has been a year. I want to live life being much more active and strong.
After three sessions of this program I could see an actually difference and would like to keep going.
Fairly competitive - and the computer allows you to push above the last time you were there while on each machine. Good or bad?!
Is there ANY reading out there for HCM on exercise that is acceptable, accurate, helpful? I have asked for 6 years. All I get is “don’t google” but I figure the Mayo Clinic is a place I can go~. Thanks
Anny
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Ha! I love my cardio too and he says "go live life"! makes me wonder if we are not seeing the same guy. :). I walk my dog every day. I can tell when it feels easier and when it does, I start walking more. I also go to the rec center and get on the treadmill. Two months ago, I fast walked a 5 k and felt great. But...when heat and exhaustion hit, I get tired, tight jaw and breathless pretty quick and then I do Pilates. I cannot recommend Pilates enough for those of us with these symptoms.
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1 ReactionI echo that sentiment! I am a Pilates instructor 🙂
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1 ReactionHope alls well
Thanks for like
We have to stay strong ✌️
Sorry. Try not to do intensive exercise. I was fit an active before diagnosis tyring to get a fab body. In fact the reason I got diagnosed was after having near syncope a few times during exercise where trainer had to take me to my apartment and help me into bed. What was scary is the rising pressure I felt coming up and around my neck whenever I was lifting weights above my shoulder level. I have not done any exercise in about 2 years. I have had two scary dreams where I overdid exercises and got into trouble. These stories are really inspiring for me to start back at exercising which is not too easy in dead winter but I need to lose 20kg for perfect weight.
Walk! Whether it's nice outside or not. When it's too cold (below 20F), icy or too hot and humid, I walk at the (shopping) mall. Our YMCA has an indoor walking track, membership is covered by my Medicare Advantage Plan, but the mall is 15 minutes closer by car. Get others to walk with you for good conversation. Listen to a book or music. Drink plenty of water. Every little bit helps. When/if your doctor decides it is time for surgery, your general fitness will ease your recovery. Good luck!
@walkinggirl I know. I just need to stop being lazy...but it does require effort to get back to physical stuff after extended breaks. Good suggestions. I will take them on. Thanks and all the best to you as well.
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1 ReactionI'm amazed with the exercise everyone is participating in! I was advised low impact activity and minimal lifting having HOCM.
My heart murmur is moderate to severe now with lighter activity, septal thickness increases by 1mm per year.
My approach to my condition is a healthy diet with careful choice of supplements.
Im okay not participating in higher levels of activity, this has helped to keep me off the OR table.