Wearing a bra with HCM - Do others find it too constrictive?

Posted by awest8 @awest8, Mar 16 11:07am

Does anyone else find it hard to wear bras ? I find it makes my chest hurt more and it def makes breathing harder after awhile as well.

I really only ever wear a bralette style of bra if I even wear one at all so it’s not even very constrictive at all but it is enough to cause discomfort. Just wondering if anyone else deals with that too?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Support Group.

boatsforlife | @boatsforlife | Mar 16 2:22pm

Hi @awest8 . This feels odd that I would be responding to your question - never having worn a bra in my life - but this may be similar. Before Camzyos I had all of the usual shortness-of-breath-oHCM things going on. If I were lying on my back in bed and my wife rested her hand on my chest or even just below my ribcage, I could last only a minute or so before I couldn't breathe anymore. When she removed her hand, I was ok again. So like your experience, even the slightest bit of restriction made breathing really difficult. Sound familiar? Now that I'm on Camzyos the problem has completely disappeared. Sorry for hijacking your question but I thought it might be relevant.

awest8 | @awest8 | Mar 17 6:17am

Haha , don’t apologize that’s actually really helpful and a great comparison ! Yes the compression is just painful and makes it so hard to breath, I hate it. Laying on your back already feels like someone has a hand on your chest too so that’s really not fun!

hocmgirl | @hocmgirl | Mar 24 4:52am

If your heart is beating harder, i can see how anything contricting can be bothersome.

I have added magnesium as a supplement to calm my heart. 400 mg is the recommended daily dose which mosr multivitamins do not have.

Rpson sakt foot soaks provide another option for adding magnesium.

jr72 | @jr72 | Apr 11 12:06pm

Yes.. i feel like a tightness around my chest from the bra, even with a larger size. I can’t stand bras.

hopenr | @hopenr | Apr 11 1:27pm

I burned mine in the 70s, wink wink.
I have gained weight and my breasts are heavy and dense so I cant find a comfortable one.

cindym54 | @cindym54 | Apr 12 10:11am

Newly diagnosed w HCM
But I gave up on wearing a bra a yr ago- I have large breasts and the discomfort was overwhelming. I now wear a fleece vest over my shirts.
I am 70. I chose my comfort over others opinions.

gangcarotid1 | @gangcarotid1 | Apr 12 11:46am

Before my partial nephrectomy in Oct 2024, I purchased 2 new (spendy) bras, anticipating discomfort after an open surgery, and being self-conscious about my old, ratty-looking bras. These bras were from Lane Bryant, in-store. I was able to try them on b4 buying. No underside, and the center front was helpfully arched upward like an upside down, flat 'U' shape. Was perfect... til I lost a bunch of weight while recuperating.🤭
My advice: search extensively online b4 buying in person... made all the difference, if you're not a bra-burner.😇