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Diagnosed with HOCM last year. May be time for surgery
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Last Active: Feb 28, 2017 | Replies (47)Comment receiving replies
I am a 63-year old female diagnosed with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. I was diagnosed in 2008 but have always had trouble hiking uphill. My heart pounds so hard the movement is visible under my shirt so I wait, usually several minutes, until the pounding subsides. I am left in the dust while my friends proceed, which I insist they do. I love hiking with friends but have even never managed a 10er vs. the 14ers they enjoy. I am 20 BMI, so not overweight. Except that I used to drink several glasses of wine most days (I stopped a year ago), I take excellent care of myself. No smoking, low fat, red meat free diet, tons of fruits and veges, good sleep. Even so I am treated for low thyroid, depression, and anxiety (family maladies). Osteoporosis also runs throughout my family and I have not been spared. Due to my mood disorder and osteoporosis I need to exercise daily. I love to lift weights (just 40 to 80 pounds), bicycle, kayak, and walk at least a mile outside daily or use a treadmill (rarely beyond 3 speed). Since I last saw my cardiologist a week ago, I've been advised to give up all of the above except for slow walking. I hate to whine so much but life without exercise is already bringing me down. I don't know if I'll qualify (my symptoms aren't bad: no fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, etc.), but I would love to regain the ability to work out (bike, hike, lift a little, walk daily, etc.). I have test appointments at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota late April and am praying for a septal myoectomy, which is the surgery my hometown cardiologist believes I need in order to be active again. Waiting
is tough, but it was the first appt. I could get. Anyone out there think I'll qualify for myoectomy?
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Hello, @quinn-yes, indeed, welcome to the club no one wants to join. HCM runs rampant in my family with three confirmed cases and I believe my mother died of it. I was diagnosed in 2010 after a cardiac arrest (was told for years I did not have it) I also have always had trouble going uphill or taking stairs. You are going to the right place for that second opinion. It is critical that we be treated at high volume specialty centers such as Mayo. They know what they are doing. This disease is difficult to treat as it behaves differently in each person. A myectomy is recommended when someone is obstructed. I do not have the obstructed form of the disease, so we manage with medication and I have an internal cardiac defibrulator (ICD) Usually lifting weights is not recommended fro people with HCM unless it is 10 lbs or less. I can't lift any though I used to. I will be 62 later this year. Oh, welcome!!