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Hi I'm Kevin and I am 26 and was diagnsed with HCM when I was...lets see...13? It is so wierd how I have to think about it, I am famous for blocking certain things out. It was in eigth grade when I found out because my heart felt like it was going to explode one night. That night my newly appointed cardiologist told me that I would no longer be able to do any stressfull activity. That was pretty rough for someone who was at wrestling practice that afternoon.
Anyway, 13 years later I an trying to finally live my life the way I should. Although I did cut out the physical activitiy from the start, once high school and college came around I picked up some really bad habits, smoking and drinking. At the end of college I finally cut them both down but they are still around. 2 years ago I had an AICD device implanted. You would think that that would have scared me enough to stop smoking but it didn't. I did stop drinking though.
After recently thinking long and hard about finally quiting the habit, I realized that aside from the obivouse addiction, there is an underlying need for physical activity. Although my doctor says no to pretty much everything but walking (as long as it is not up hill
) I need something. I feel that I eat very well and I just want to feel more fit and healthy.
It is really hard to write this first message...there is so much I could talk about. But I think I am going to cut it off here for now. I really look forward to sharing my emotions, experiences, and troubles with people who understand.
By the way...Excellent job with the site. It is rare when you find such good organization of information and ease of use.
Anyway, 13 years later I an trying to finally live my life the way I should. Although I did cut out the physical activitiy from the start, once high school and college came around I picked up some really bad habits, smoking and drinking. At the end of college I finally cut them both down but they are still around. 2 years ago I had an AICD device implanted. You would think that that would have scared me enough to stop smoking but it didn't. I did stop drinking though.
After recently thinking long and hard about finally quiting the habit, I realized that aside from the obivouse addiction, there is an underlying need for physical activity. Although my doctor says no to pretty much everything but walking (as long as it is not up hill
) I need something. I feel that I eat very well and I just want to feel more fit and healthy.It is really hard to write this first message...there is so much I could talk about. But I think I am going to cut it off here for now. I really look forward to sharing my emotions, experiences, and troubles with people who understand.
By the way...Excellent job with the site. It is rare when you find such good organization of information and ease of use.
I quit some 25 years ago and it was the best thing that I ever did for myself. The idea that you need physical activity to help compensate for or overcome the smoking habit is what I finally came up with too after quitting but not being the least bit happy about it for several months. Definitely a dilemma when you have exercise limitations with HCM. 
Luckily, I did not at the time and I found bicycling very helpful. 
Do what works for you!
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