Stressed Induced Cardiomyopathy

In no particular order, although I'm listing an often dismissed or overlooked, or refused important one first:
1. Daily exercise - there is abundant scientific literature extolling the virtues of walking, jogging, swimming, hiking, X-country snowshoeing, X-country skiing, some moderate weight/resistance training....at a minimum of every other day. Five days a week would be great. It clears the mind, oxygenates everything, lubricates everything, and cognition and memory improve as a result. This helps if;
2. You are procrastinating or denying a problem and have put it off with the hope that it will get better. You KNOW what it is, although people with integrity who truly love you will probably be able to tell you what it is;
3. You have a mistreated, misdiagnosed, or unresponsive medical condition that makes you ill and that builds an inflammatory response. It might degrade oxygen supply due to its effect on your heart or cause other degradation. You may need to see a new physician or subject matter expert for a new opinion with new diagnostics;
4. Keeping a journal works for people with protracted unease and who have trouble with emotions or dealing with realities that are almost too much to bear. Formulating word strings that help you to flesh out, to characterize, or to otherwise describe something, even just 'to name it', sometimes help to 'spit it out;' and
5. Seeking the services of a good therapist helps some to deal with stress. A facilitator with professional skills can help us to articulate what is eating at us, and from there you will probably know what to do.

Sometimes just embarking on a plan, executing it, even if we understand that things won't be fixed soon, goes a long way to reducing stress. Once we devise a plan to begin turning things around, it can make all the difference in the world. Your days and mood will lift and be brighter, especially as you begin to discern small improvements. This, in turn, will build confidence in your approach and self-confidence for yourself. Maybe even more self-respect.

Note that I have no professional training as a counsellor, or as a medical doctor, and barely qualify to be called a grandpa.

Welcome, @duba. You had a scary ER experience. I am glad to see you create this discussion as you recover.

I have had times when I truly thought death would be better. I didn’t know it was possible to feel so horrible and like you, came to pretty clear terms with it. We are both here now and have opportunities to make the best of each new day we get!

You mention looking for ways to reduce stress. If you are comfortable it may help others provide input if they know more about what you are specifically needing to address. From my own experience it will help you tons to learn all you can about your new diagnosis and then address your stressors one at a time. I am adding a link that may help you process your stress induced cardiomyopathy diagnosis and also address stress in general.
- Coping with a diagnosis https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/8-tips-for-coping-with-a-serious-diagnosis

I am curious about how you got to Mayo Clinic Connect and what led up to your ER experience. What recommendations did you receive, and will you see a cardiologist to learn more?

@duba
I have never heard of stress induced cardiomyopathy. Not saying it is not a cause just not familiar with it.

I have cardiomyopathy caused by a virus that got into heart and caused scarring. How did I find out. I was taking a police required stress test (SWAT) and they said I had a LBBB. I had not idea what that was nor had I had any pain, discomfort, shortness of breath, etc.

I went to a cardiologist who ordered a Catherization. That cath saw no signs of cardiovascular disease. I did have a bad virus just prior to stress test and they deemed my LBBB on cardiomyopathy.

Stress! I have had over the years tons of PVCs, and PACs. I am on medication but I am told stress and anxiety can cause the PVCs and PACs. In addition to medications I exercise 6 days a week per the okay of my cardiologist.

I have posted many times that what ever you can do to help reduce your anxiety and stress is going to help not just your physical health but mental health. What I suggest to help is find an exercise (with your doctors approval) that you like to do and do it. I do water aerobics 5 days a week, bike ride, swim. Those exercises really bring me joy and I listen to music in all of them.

Not into exercise. How about a hobby. Find something you like to do and do it.

I know many many times people have panic attacks and think heart attack as symptoms mimic heart attack. Treatment, reduce your stress and anxiety.

I take one medication escilitolopram (spell) and really has helped. I am told will be on it for life. It greatly reduced my PTSD, anxiety/panic disorder symptoms. And along with my exercise pretty much have my PTSD anxiety/panic disorder under control. I got PTSD anxiety/panic disorder after 5 shocks in 24 hours from my ICD/Pacemaker.

It seemed to also bring up my time in Vietnam and several things that happened to me as a police officer.

Discuss with your doctors about the symptoms of anxiety/panic disorder and the symptoms you experience in ER. It can be treated with medications and life style changes.

@jc76, have you ever heard of broken heart syndrome, also known as takotsubo or stress-induced cardiomyopathy? According to Mayo Clinic it is often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions, can also can be triggered by a serious physical illness or surgery.

- Your Heart Can Break From Stress https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/its-true-your-heart-can-break-from-stress/
- Broken Heart Syndrome Overview https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-heart-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354617

This information describes the condition as temporary, but sometimes can have symptoms that hang on. @duba, how are you feeling currently?

@jlharsh
No had not heard it before. I am treated at Mayo Jacksonville by HF and EP doctors.

I know from personal experience that anxiety/panic disorder symptoms can mimic heart attack and heart problems.

Seems the two are related in the cause is extreme stress and anxiety.

I see some of my suggestions about exercise and hobbies for stress/anxiety are for the broken heart also.

I think a serious illness or surgery would also for a lot of people come with extreme stress and anxiety. I am not a stranger to stress and anxiety. I was diagnosed at Mayo in 2015 with PTSD, and anxiety/panic disorder.

I went through consultation at physiatrist department and took several tests. My psychiatric specialist said I scored at the top number for having diagnosis for PTSD. Took me a long time (with help of my psychiatric specialist, medications, and my own commitment to alter my life style) to get back to normal activity and tremendous fear I was dealing with.

I have just been diagnosed with non- isthmus cardiomyopathy, I’m 64 yrs old female. With several mental illnesses disorders, PTSD is one of them. Childhood Traumas.
They are going to give me a pacemaker/ Defibrillator here very soon, heart disease runs in my family.
And does anyone here know anything about . IBCD. Not IVCD. I have that also. I just have so much going on with my heart it’s crazy and scary. Could use some life style change advice. Smoker here to 50 yrs now. Still working a high stress job. Work with the public daily.

Hi, @jlf2. It has been a while since we wrote each other. You are dealing with so much, now cardiomyopathy is added. I want to try to connect you to others (and information) that will help you navigate. I need help first.

You mention some things I do not understand. You have been diagnosed with non-isthmus, and I think this means non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. You also mention IBCD. I do not know what that is. The closest I can come is that it may be a type of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICD). These assumptions I am making here is where am going with my thinking in the rest of this comment, so please let me know if this is not correct.

You may have already reviewed this, but in case you haven’t I wanted to provide a link providing an overview of Cardiomyopathy. One thing I want to specifically point out is the section, Lifestyles and Home Remedies. Information you may find helpful to address lifestyle changes is copied here:

These lifestyle changes can help you manage cardiomyopathy:
-Don't smoke. If you smoke, quit. You can ask your healthcare professional for help.
-Lose weight if you're overweight. Ask your care team what a healthy weight is for you.
-Get regular exercise. Talk to your healthcare professional about what is best for you.
-Eat a healthy diet. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
-Use less salt. Cut back on foods that are high in sodium. Aim for less than 1,500 milligrams/day.
-Avoid alcohol.
-Manage stress.
-Get enough sleep.
Take all medicines as prescribed.
Get regular health checkups.

Here is the link:
- Cardiomyopathy Overview
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cardiomyopathy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370714
A couple initial support groups here on Connect you may want to check out:
- Smoking & Quitting Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/smoking-quitting/
- Pacemaker & ICDs Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/pacemaker-icds/

What other health conditions are you managing, and is your new Cardiomyopathy diagnosis related? Do any of the lifestyle changes above sound like something you could implement?

@jlharsh @jlf2
jlharsh, I see your post covers everything I was going to write. I have non ischemic cardiomyopathy caused by a virus.

I too did not understand some of the abbreviations. I have a ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator) and Pacemaker. Some new defibrillators are in the veins around heart versus mine were wires are leading from ICD to heart.

Any amount of stress when you have medical issues or not will affect your body and mind. Smoking contains so much nicotine affecting heart and pulse.

I again always recommend exercise and hobbies. After checking with medical care givers try to find an exercise you like to do and do it. Not into exercise a hobby. Anything you like to do will help reduce stress in your life and improve your mental and physical health.

I see you have provided links to many helpful topics to help

@jc76 thank for your reply, I appreciate your help. I have so many bad health conditions. Stress is not avoidable for me.
I get plenty of exercise at work
I work PT and am n my feet for about 5 hrs a day. 5 days a week . But my heart problems are inherited from my parents.
I just got over breast cancer surgery and things just keep getting worse health wise for me.
But I’m hanging in there, what other choice do I have none
Thank you for your encouragement have a great day ♥️🙏

@jc76 IBCD is A Rare inherited metabolic disorder is about all I know about it right now.
That’s why I was asking about it here. It has something to do with the heart muscles ?? And I’m sorry my spelling is so horrible.
But you are right do have ischemic cardiomyopathy just
found out last week and they are going to give me an ICD. My heart functions is at about 35% they said, so it will be pretty soon.
Thank you my friend for the information I will check it out have a great day god bless 🙏🙏