Weight Lifting and exercise with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Tips?

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.

I echo that sentiment! I am a Pilates instructor 🙂

Hope 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.

I'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.

Hello, So many great answers to your post!! I wonder the same thing about exercising from time to time, whether it's ok or not ok or what might be the consequences ? I'm with your doctor. Live your life and be as strong and fit as you can be. Just be mindful of your body during your workouts and listen to its signals. It will let you know if you need to slow down and take a breather. And you should be tired or sore after lifting a bit of weight. Because you are not used to it and your muscles are reacting to being used. It's not necessarily a bad thing unless you are really overdoing it. Actually, I've read recently that "they" are considering adding moderate exercise as a potential treatment for HCM as it does strengthen your muscles, including your heart, it helps with your body's use of oxygen and circulation, helps to maintain a healthy weight, it's great for your mental outlook, it does so many positive things for your mind and body. Versus the alternative... sitting around listening to your heart beat and worrying about what might happen... I workout 5-6 times a week for 45-90 minutes - weights that are a decent weight for me and 3 sets 10-15 reps I try to hit all major body parts. My cardio is mostly rowing as that works all body parts and I can easily control my level of heart rate etc. Working out is more like meditation to me and I do have to pause now and then to let things in my body settle. And I have an ICD so feel I'm covered if anything really bad happens. Just have to live each moment and do what you love to do and what feels best for your mind/body. I think that will go a long way in making it easier to live with this condition that we share.

@metta From the time I was diagnosed with HCM 15-20 years ago through early 2022, I had no trouble with exercise - walking and gym. Gradually, HCM progressed to HOCM and in 2022 reached the point of interfering with exercise and life in general. I had a septal myectomy. After a recovery period from that and a couple of side effects including the need for an ICD, I have been back at walking (3-6 miles) and the gym (strength, balance and flexibility) for close to 3 years now. I'm no spring chicken; I was almost 76 at the time of surgery. I agree with you in that people need to figure out what feels best for their minds and bodies, I think physical exercise at some level, check with your doctor, needs to be a part of it.

I was diagnosed by September with OHCM. I had gone into heart failure. They found myosin by doing an angiogram. I’m just now starting to walk and lift very light weight. I’m on Camzyos January will be a year. I’m 78 years old. I’ve always been active and now I have to learn to live with this OHCM your comments about working out were very helpful