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afraid that I may have Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Last Active: Jul 7, 2025 | Replies (17)Comment receiving replies
I am 64 years old now. Very physically active since childhood. Ran marathons, cycled across the USA, and running up mountains - all in my 30s and 40s. I travel a lot so when I do , I really don't exercise much but back home, within the last year, I worked out about an hour to an hour 1/2 5 to 6 times per week. Basically stair master and weight training. (just to maintain).
If it is not athlete heart , hypertension nor obstructive sleep apnea, what could be the cause of mild left ventricular hypertrophy? I question the accuracy of the sonographer and radiologist for the readings as my right atrium and aorta were not visualized well. Not sure how they came to the conclusion of NO aortic stenosis because from what I have read, an Lp(a) of 240 nmol ( about 95 to 97 percentiles) cause CAD and aortic stenosis.
I am under the S. CA Kaiser HMO for now till I turn 65 soon. I am hoping to go into medicare original plan with medigap G and find myself a specialist. Where can I find recommendations for a preventive cardiologist or someone who thinks outside the box?
When I inquired Mayo Clinic for a cardiologist appt, I was told that they accept Original Medicare but I need to register with a referral and that there is NO guarantee I will be accepted.
Replies to "I am 64 years old now. Very physically active since childhood. Ran marathons, cycled across the..."
@lpaelevated4
I like you was always and athlete.
What was your ejection fraction?
I was just on Cleveland Clinic cardiology and was looking at athletes heart. Could this be your cause. I was dianosed with cardiomyopathy that caused LBBB and electrical issues in my heart. With a ICD/Pacemaker and some great medications my Mayo specialist put me on my EF has been stable for 10 years.
When I was on Cleveland Clinic one of the tabs was request and appointment. You can't do any better than Cleveland Clinic in Ohio or any Mayo Clinic.
You mentioned Mayo appointments. I have been a patient at Mayo Jacksonville since 2006. I did a request for second opinion back in 2006. I saw a EP who referred me to a Mayo heart failure doctor. I have been a patient of Mayo Jacksonville since.
If you are having issues with getting into Mayo Cardiology consider asking for a second opinion. Or can you get an appointment with a primary care doctor and then asked for a referral. Just trying to brainstorm so ways to consider.
Good Luck
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Sounds like you are super healthy and have done so many things and been to lots of places in your life! 🙂 thats so awesome! Unless i have missed something your not slowing down too much at all and are still very active! Good for you! The only advise i would give you and its jot much, but if your not being effected physically by what some doctor told you about your heart thats great! Keep doing what your doing and when you do feel like your heath or your workouts are suffering reach out to a COE on HCM! If its eating at you psychologically reach out to a Center that specializes in HCM
People with HCM or obstructive HCM can lead very normal active lives i did for years! It wasnt till i was 48 till i started gradually being effected by it and then went another 9 yrs being misdiagnosed! It was frustrating because i was a very active runner and mountain biker, my runs and bike rides started suffering more and more each year!
I was happy to finally been diagnosed withHCM and severe LVOTO! At least i knew i wasnt crazy and there was a fix:)
Best of luck with everything and i hope you get your answers your looking for