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HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (1049)Comment receiving replies
Hi @npfl, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
I learned something from you! I had no idea 10-12% of HCM patients end up with pacemakers!
I hope somebody from our little group can answer your question...in the meantime, has your care team referred you to Mayo in Jacksonville? Have they indicated this rapid progression of your heart conduction is related to HCM or is it in addition?
I found this online, but I am not sure it the same situation as yours:
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Rapid progression of conduction disorders in the heart, affecting both the atrioventricular (AV) and sinoatrial (SA) nodes, can lead to serious arrhythmias and may result in symptoms like dizziness, fainting, or even heart failure. It is crucial to seek medical evaluation and treatment if such symptoms occur, as these conditions can be life-threatening.
Merck Manuals National Institutes of Health
Overview of Conduction Disorders
Conduction disorders affect the heart's electrical system, which controls the heartbeat. The two main types are:
Atrioventricular (AV) Block: This occurs when the electrical signals between the atria and ventricles are delayed or blocked.
Sinoatrial (SA) Node Dysfunction: This involves issues with the heart's natural pacemaker, which can lead to irregular heart rates.
Symptoms of Conduction Disorders
Symptoms can vary widely, but common signs include:
Slow or fast heart rate
Heart palpitations
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Extreme tiredness
Fainting
Shortness of breath
Chest pain or discomfort
Diagnosis and Progression
Diagnosis typically involves:
Medical History: Understanding symptoms and family history.
Physical Exam: Checking for signs of heart issues.
Tests: Electrocardiograms (EKGs) and possibly genetic testing.
Conduction disorders can progress rapidly, especially in cases of AV block or SA node dysfunction. Factors influencing progression include:
Age: Older adults are more susceptible to these disorders.
Genetics: Some conditions, like Brugada syndrome, are hereditary and can worsen over time.
Underlying Health Issues: Conditions such as heart disease can exacerbate conduction problems.
Management
Management strategies may include:
Monitoring: Regular check-ups to track heart function.
Medications: To manage symptoms or underlying conditions.
Pacemaker: In severe cases, a pacemaker may be needed to regulate heart rhythm.
Understanding these aspects can help in recognizing and managing conduction disorders effectively.
National Institutes of Health
Wikipedia
How are you feeling? When is your next appointment?
Replies to "Hi @npfl, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I learned something from you! I had no..."
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I feel fine. I never had any symptoms( at least not recently)but within 6 months my Atrial pacing percentage shot to 53% and my ventricular pacing percentage shot to 22.9%. I suspect I have a intra hisian delay as my MVP mode switches are exceptionally long — 440ms during the night and 340 ms during the day. I am a retired NP so I have some understanding of what’s going on. Additionally, I have uploaded my Medtronic auto download reports to various AI platforms and so have a much deeper understanding of these reports, which are pretty complex. My electrophysiologist is very good but since the incidence of HCM is 1 in 500( not that rare) and those that require pacemakers represent 10-12% or 1 in 5,000 we’re talking about a relatively rare group. Almost all of those HCM patients with pacemakers have single level conduction disorders, that makes my condition vanishingly small. All of the AI platforms including Chat GPT ( which I have a subscription ), Claude, Gemini, and Copilot agree my case would be very interesting to Mayo. I will wait for my next Medtronic auto download and echocardiogram scheduled for 1 October. If they both demonstrate progression I will ask for a referral. My case is further complicated by my very vigorous fitness regimen which has really increased my Vagal tone. I always had problems with upright exercises ( Nordic Track, Elliptical) causing dyspnea but tolerate a water rower very well, probably because of increased preload and reduced afterload. Anyway, all these factors plus my age of 74 make my case unusual. However, I understand that since Mayo is a high volume HCM center they may have encountered a similar patient.