← Return to Dizziness and chest pain associated with HCM

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@archer

B, ---You cannot know how helpful your responses have been. Finally, thanks to you, we will be more informed and will have meaningful questions to ask during next appointment. In my case, the head phenomenon is more of a pressure or fullness, specifically around the eyes. This had been with me for many years and always accompanied dizziness, but it was never constant. We thought it was an allergy/sinus complication. Even my physician thought so -- probably because my Ejection Fraction was within normal range.
---By the way, two quick questions: Do you know what your Ejection Fraction was during that highly symptomatic phase? Also, was the progression from HCM to HOCM discovered via an Echocardiogram? This second question is because you noted that the change took place rather quickly, within 2-3 months. My last Echo was about a year ago (July), indicating an Ejection Fraction of 55%. Am wondering if another one is in order -- chiefly, would it explain the persistent symptoms. Meanwhile, the dizziness/unsteadiness has become constant, while the chest discomfort is infrequent -- but sometimes involves the left arm. Obviously, pretty worried. Again, your informed responses have given much relief and some hope.
---Thanks, archer.

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Replies to "B, ---You cannot know how helpful your responses have been. Finally, thanks to you, we will..."

I have CHF, nearly a lifelong diagnosis. My ejection fraction ranges from 40-65, depending on some environmental factors such as diet, other diseases, etc. The CHF with preserved ejection fraction is, among other things, known as highly probably marker of Gelsolin, RyR2, and Fukutin Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. (They come together, most of the time) Helsinki and OMIM have some good articles on this.

I saw my doctor at Cleveland Clinic (CC) last November and was told it was still HCM, go home, and come back in 6 months. After thanksgiving, I became more sypmtomatic feeling more dizziness, and was constantly light headed. After many conversations with my CC doc, I went to see him in early Feb, had a stress echo, was told it had progressed to a serious place where it became obstructive, and surgery was needed. I had a bulge blocking my aorta and when my mitral valve opened and closed, the little leaflets got stuck between the bulge and the aorta. He told me to go home and do nothing until the surgery. I had to surgery on Feb. 26. An amazing series of events. Last November, my ejection fraction was in the near normal range.