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HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Last Active: Aug 26 9:56am | Replies (870)Comment receiving replies
Welcome to Connect, @bbonchek.
I truly admire the fact that you are being so proactive about your health. Mayo Clinic has a long-standing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy program that provides highly individualized care. If you would like to make an appointment at Mayo Clinic, please call one of our appointment offices. You can also request an appointment online. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments
While we wait for other members to weigh in, I'd like to introduce you to @cynaburst, whose surgeon was Dr. Dearani, Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery at Mayo Clinic. She wrote these notes from a presentation he gave last year:
– Notes from presentation by Dr. Joe Dearani re: Myectomy at HCM Summit https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/notes-from-presentation-by-dr-joe-dearani-re-myectomy-at-hcm-summit/
You can read more testimonials from Mayo patients in this discussion, and how the travel was not the barrier to excellent care https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hello-i-was-diagnosed-with-hocm-last-year-i-have-been-told/
I’d also like to invite @ronaldpetrovich @mbcube @ccubed @rrowner2 @positivity @priscilla1972 @knecht @janicepike @PatMattos @ninimurphy @melthomas and others to join me in welcoming you. May I ask if you would share more about the diet and lifestyle changes you’ve had to make, @bbonchek?
Replies to "Welcome to Connect, @bbonchek. I truly admire the fact that you are being so proactive about..."
I am in a unique situation since I had a total knee replacement last August so am still recuperating from that as well as dealing with my HCM. In that last 2 months I have started been able do more cardio workouts on an exercise bike and treadmill both of which I have at home. Being on a regular exercise program has made me feel much better. I also lost quite a bit a weight after my knee surgery partially due to that but then I also realized it was also due to a loss of appetite from my heart meds which we have modified and changed a bit. That has helped. The main med that was causing me problems was a higher dose of Metropolol twice a day. We have dropped that dosage which has helped a bit. I wish there were more medications available with fewer side effects.
As far as diet is concerned, I now tend to eat more smaller healthy meals and snacks throughout the day with a boost of a protein drink at some time each day. As far a lifestyle changes, I cannot do the same level of work around the farm so have had to adjust my work load and expectations. I am working on the principle of less is more. I have also started to meditate each day which is supposed to have positive benefits. I want to make sure I have the energy to hang out with my 4 year old grandson as much as possible which is exerting in itself. I appreciate having a community of people with which to share our experiences.
Sending this link too from @cynaburst post which details recovery and some background
https://hcmbeat.com/tag/ron-petrovich/
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The best thing you will ever do for yourself would be a second opinion and if you can get to Mayo Rochester the HCM program is awesome. My husband had septal myectomy last October after being diagnosed with HCM 30 years ago. We live near San Diego and had great care from the cardiologist but when the HCM became obstructive the cardiologist recommended Mayo because of their expertise.