← Return to HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi

Discussion

HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (989)
Comment receiving replies
@agustafs

Hi I'm Alan and was diagnosed with HCM about 30 years ago. I'm now 75 and am mostly asymptomatic except for some shortness of breath issues. I take 80 mg of Sotalol daily for afib control. Is the shortness of breath due to aging or the Sotalol or both?

Jump to this post

Replies to "Hi I'm Alan and was diagnosed with HCM about 30 years ago. I'm now 75 and..."
walkinggirl | @walkinggirl | May 27 8:53am

Alan, that is an excellent question - to ask your doctor! Our bodies change as we age, and new symptoms seem to appear periodically. Have you had an echo recently? That test would show if your left ventricle is thickening/enlarging causing shortness of breath. I think that if your doctor does not suggest an echo, be your own advocate to find out the cause of your shortness of breath and make the echo suggestion to him/her.

VIEW AND REPLY
Debra, Volunteer Mentor | @karukgirl | May 27 9:37am

Hello @agustafs, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
@walkinggirl gave you stellar advise, and I echo what she says...it is a good question to ask your doctor.
HCM can most certainly cause SOB (Shortness of breath) and is a common symptom to many of us with HCM and obstructed HCM.
HCM may progress overtime and in the 30 years you have known you had it, it sounds like you have had a case where it has not impacted your life in such a way as to interfere with daily living. But things can change, and it is worth having your cardiologist involvement.
When was your last echo? Is your cardiologist well educated on HCM?

VIEW AND REPLY