Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Tachy & Myocardial Bridging

Except for the vtach im not sure what the other conditions are. But i dod have pretty severe Vtach for many uears prior to my transplant. For me ablations worked for the first few years but as i progressed towards the end they couldn't find anyway to keep my old heart going. At the end they tried a series of 5 ablations (over the 10 years i had about 10 ablations) and i was on Solitol, Mexilitine, and amiodarone. But i became toxic to the Amio and thats was the finial straw i needed a new heart. So ill try to answer any questions i can on VT .

The electrophysiology study attempts to locate what's causing the tachycardia. Many times it can lead to ablation to correct the problem. And in many cases, after ablation, one can eliminate or reduce dosage of medicines.

It would be great if I could eliminate a few of the meds I currently take. My next concern, if this study works, is what to do about the apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and myocardial bridging that I also have. I'm definitely in a wait and see time line.

In a previous thread, I mentioned that I have several things wrong with my heart...Ventricular Tachycardia, Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and Myocardial Bridging. I have had a years worth of tests, procedures, and medications revolving around the arterial, pulmonary, and electrical phases of the heart with no definite diagnosis. So, I am wondering what's next???

Hi @ch665296f, Have you seen a cardiologist who specializes in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)? Members of the HCM group without exception recommend seeing someone who specializes in this condition. Please see the discussions in this group:
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy-hcm/

PS: I also added your discussion the HCM group. I'm hoping members like @cynaburst @timdines and @Sensation might have thoughts to add.

In the meantime, you might also be interested in this discussion and video presentation:
- Apical Cardiomyopathy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/apical-cardiomyopathy/
- Video Q&A about Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy & Surgical Treatment Apical Myectomy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy-and-the-surgical-treatment-apical-myectomy/

Hi @ch665296f,

I was wondering if you’d be interested in reading about the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic at Mayo Clinic – https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy-clinic/overview/ovc-20442502

Mayo Clinic Cardiologists trained in diagnosis and treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy will provide you with a comprehensive assessment and conduct diagnostic tests to determine the most appropriate therapy for you.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists in cardiovascular diseases, heart surgery (cardiovascular surgery), hereditary conditions (genetics) and other areas collaborate to provide you with coordinated care. If you need a consultation for a related medical condition, doctors from many areas can be brought together to examine your condition.

Dennis, I think most of us would do without meds if given the option, but sometimes they are necessary – have you considered getting a second opinion?

I have been diagnosed with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy along with a few other heart issues. From what I understand the only treatment for this form of cardiomyopathy is a heart transplant. I'm not a candidate for that at this time. I am 75 years old. Will this condition get worse? So far, the only treatment I am having is a variety of drugs, and a pacemaker. Is that as good as it's going to get? Do I just learn to live with it. I also have some myocardial bridging along with tachycardia and brachycardia. I have had these heart ailments for a number of years.

Hi @ch665296f, I moved your recent post about apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to the discussion you started on the same topic a while back. I'm tagging fellow members @mistymopps3 @Sensation @onewholovesrock who also have apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

How are you doing with medication treatment and the pacemaker? Have things gotten better or worse over the past few years?

Hi, I had one of the problems you mentioned in a prior post of Ventricular Tachycardia. I say this because as I had to look up the condition of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is similar to what caused my problems. My issues were due to thickening of the heart muscle. Which I see is the same issue you have. During that period for me I also had a pacemaker with defibularter and was on antiarrhythmic drugs. But i also can say thru most of the time I had the condition i led a pretty normal life. so, I'm curious as to how you see your life now? are you having symptoms that are bothersome? Prior to my time that finally i had to go to the next step of heart transplant I lived with the pacemaker and medications for about 10 years with a few flair ups but overall, not too bad until finally my heart just was ready to give out and that's when heart transplant became available.

So, i guess I'm saying with the latest with pacemaker development maybe whatever is bothering you may just need some adjustment of the settings of the pacemaker and or medications. I found that once I found the right specialist who was familiar with my type of problem, He was able to make adjustments to help with things that bothered me. i might just add that the heart is so specialized these days and with all the treatment options finding the right doctor is key. as an example for me i started with a regular cardiologist I like to call the plumbing specialist who handles physical problems like stents and bypass type things, Then you have the EP (electro physiologist) cardiologist who handle the electrical issues, and even amongst them they split between the upper heart which is the AFIB issues and the lower part or the problem we deal(t) with the Ventriculus and even when I had the transplant is another specialist who handle just that area. so, I hope that helps. Please let me know if I can help further as I know for me back in those days knowing I wasn't alone was the biggest help. Hang in there and don't give up maybe just a little tweak could make a world of difference.

I have all the issues you have and the myocardial bridging causes the thickened heart muscle and therefore v tachycardias. I couldn't/t take meds as I also have bradycardia and stage 1 diastolic disorder now. I have had holter tests and they all show v tachycardias at times but not too high. I am to go back to electrophysiologist cardiologist for review of latest holter. I am too old for apical septical myectomy(remove part of the heart muscle in area concerned). Mayo Clinic does it. supposedly replaces need for a heart transplant. If younger I would try that.