Living with left ventricular hypertrophy: What cautions do you take?

Hi there @charliemac and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Connect is a community of people just like you, that use this platform to share experiences. While we can't offer medical diagnoses, second opinions, or treatment options, we can share personal experiences and recommendations that helped us in similar situations.

Ejection fraction is a measurement of the percentage of blood leaving your heart each time it squeezes (contracts). It is just one of many tests your doctor may use to determine how your heart works.
Based on Mayo Clinic's findings, A normal ejection fraction is about 50% to 75%, according to the American Heart Association. A borderline ejection fraction can range between 41% and 50%. So it seems you are just barely in the range of "normal".

What did your physician say about helping your hypertension?

Thank you. For the hypertension she started me with 2mg of perindopiril erbumine then going to 4 and now, just recently, to 8 mg which I understand is the highest dose. So we will see. She suggests that I watch my alcohol consumption – being retired I got into the habit of a couple of glasses of wine before supper – so I’ve stopped doing that – Interestingly I’ve had no palpitations since I’ve given up the wine – I believe the palpitations were PVC not Atrial Fib.. She suggests watching my salt intake and not cutting back on my activities (I was a bit worried about that). Thanks again for your response.
Charlie

Hi, I live in an area of OR covered by only TWO large medical groups. Mine has lost so many physicians over the last year including most of my mine, and my PCP.
I had a scary ER visit a month ago, and the next day rec’d a call from my group that I would no longer be covered by them. However, they graciously have been helping me as best that they can with the short staff that they have which is so appreciative.
But I have a LOT of health issues that require a PCP.
Just two days ago, a previous doctor’s appt by Telehealth (from out of the area) looked at the EKG results from the ER visit and recommended I get another EKG immediately.
So I went to the Urgent Care and, they told me the sinus rhythm was fine but the next day (yesterday) I rec’d an update that said this :
“Normal sinus rhythm Left ventricular hypertrophy Nonspecific ST abnormality Otherwise Normal ECG”
I also was finally assigned to a PCP at the 2nd large medical group but he doesn’t have an opening until August 9th.
It’s our 50th wedding anniversary next weekend and we’re flying to go to the R Stones concert and to visit the R&R Music Museum. How do I know it’s safe to go?

Edit- I forgot to say that the ER visit was diagnosed as TAG ( Transient Global Amnesia), but my potassium was 2.9 and hemolyzed by the lab. However what sent me there was that I couldn’t communicate. I kept saying “I don’t know” when asked a question”. And I couldn’t find anything, like my purse, my phone, or even, a phone number on my phone.

I'm sorry to see you in such distress. Fortunately, you are receiving critical or urgent care and there is work on you for a diagnosis.

Right ventricle hypertrophy is usually the result of three problems that I know of, but there are surely more: virus leading to some cardiomyopathy, hypertension where the ventricle has to work harder to make more pressure which, in turn, makes it enlarge and stiffen due to the wall thickness, and mitral valve problems like prolapse where it can't pump effectively against a properly closed valve between it and the atrium above when it tries to pressurize blood to get it to rise into the aorta and out to the body. Remember, the heart has to lift blood from the feet, but also get it up to your brain, which uses most of the sugar in your blood and about 20% of the oxygen.

Not sure if in right group. Have LVH, not something valve/genetic related. Probably just general stress-bad eating-youth naughtiness.

Hello @ema123, and a warm welcome to Mayo Connect. I am glad you found this site and encourage you to take a look around. I posted an article from Mayo Clinic for you to take a look at and would encourage you to type in the search area above "left ventricular hypertrophy" for more LVH inclusive results. You are in the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy group which is a whole different animal! I would also encourage you to learn as much as you can about what you have so you can be your own best advocate
Do you have an appointment to go over your condition and learn more about it?

Hi @ema123, I moved your question about LVH to this existing discussion in the Heart & Blood Health support group:
- Living with left ventricular hypertrophy: What cautions do you take?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mild-left-ventricular-hypertrophy/

I did this so you can join the conversation and connect with members like @charliemac @grandmadibounds @gloaming and more.

Ema, when did you learn that you have lef betricular hypertrophy? Did you discuss with your doctor coping strategies for reducing stress?

About a year ago-but realize they didn't take some things seriously for awhile before that. Luckily have a good handle on stress, diet and exercise. Worst problem is dealing w/med side effects and working

I'm 56f fairly new to lvh-about a year. Guessing mainly bp related but don't do any of "bads", except maybe stress sometimes. Losartan keeps bp under control but seems very depressing for my system. Trying bedtime dose to get worst over when asleep so have energy to exercise by afternoon. Any thoughts?

Hi I have lived with HCM for over 10 years, my medicine has changed depending on my symptoms. I started off with a Calcium blocker, as things changed I was moved to a beta blocker . Your specialist should be guiding you.

David