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@walkinggirl - wow! thank you for the info on the studies - this is hugely helpful. My COE cardiologist thought I should try low dose beta blocker and "see" what side effects I might have - I am ambivalent but thinking more positively about trying since our exchange - thank you. Future options are pretty scarey but I guess things can reach that point. Last question - can you tell me what EF and gradient would indicate the need for more invasive procedures? If there is such a standard? I'm trying to figure out how "close" I am to the possibility of surgery. Thank you so much!
Replies to "@walkinggirl - wow! thank you for the info on the studies - this is hugely helpful...."
@joycehocm I was on Metoprolol 25 mg succinate for a year and then the cardiologist increased to 50 mg succinate because of my short of breath and fatigue symptoms. I was then referred to a COE for HOCM and was told the beta blocker Metoprolol was just treating the symptoms and my condition was in the severe stage and get worse quickly. I was prescribed Camzyos 5 mg in May 2025. I stayed on the beta blocker until Sept 2025. I did have some increase in blood pressure after stopping the beta blocker but by taking blood pressure daily, I consulted with my HOCM team and they put me on Valsartan 160 mg for a few weeks and then increased to 320 mg and problem is pretty much resolved. My heart rate has increased some since going off the beta blocker Metoprolol but I feel so much better, definitely less fatique. I am getting back to where I can go cycling often with less fatigue and had to stop running for almost a year and for the last couple months I have been able to cautiously resume running but getting better every week. I have had great results from the Camzyos and it has been a life changer for me. FYI I am 64 years old and will be 65 soon and have been active most of my life and it has not only helped me physically but I am better mentally since I feel better and can do more normal things.
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@joycehocm I am glad you found useful information in the posts. As you know, we are all different. I was doing OK till 2/2022, don't know what my EF was. My cardiologist had been trying to get me to have surgery for a few years, Camzyos was still in the testing stage. I suspect that the crucial EF is different for everyone as to when a next step is needed, do ask your doctor!