[ihss]
Author: liza (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 04-28-02 01:04
hi i am an 28 year old female who has just been diesnosed as having ihss this scares me seeing how heart disease running on my mothers side of the family both my mom grandmother and uncle died at the age of 53 from heart conditions. i am presently on atentol but find it to be little relief of my sympton i experiance lightheadedness daily also palpations. is there any info on this subject people can help me out with i know very little about this condition and am i very scared to do anything.
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[Re: ihss]
Author: Sarah Beckley (---.dsl.mindspring.com)
Date: 04-28-02 11:51
Dear Liza
Welcome to the board. You are going to be ok. IHSS is the old name for HCM.
First, read all the info on this web site, as it is very good. Second, you can join HCMA and get the newsletter, which has more info too. Third, and most importantly, call the HCMA at 973-983-7429 to get the name of an HCM specialist near you.
Because you have a history of early death in the family, it is very important that you get evaluated for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). This is a little box that would zap your heart back to normal if it tried to do anything dangerous. Many people with HCM get them and live long, happy lives.
There are lots of other medications to choose from and even a couple surgeries. So, the only way to know what is going to work best for you is to see a cardiologist who really knows HCM well. You can reach your life expectancy with HCM, truly.
Also, call your current doctor and let them know that the atenolol isn't working. They can adjust your dose or change meds.
You can do anything you used to do, but you should avoid heavy weight lifting, really rigourous exercise (yoga, walking, light aeorbics ok), dark chocolate (milk choc ok), caffeine, nicotine, drugs, alcholol, heavy meals (especially before bed) and stress (I know this last one is impossible, but do what you can). Otherwise, live your life the way you have. You may want to take a multi-vitamin and eat more fish and bananas, since most people don't get enough magnesium and potassium which are key to proper heart function.
It is hard to stop worrying about it, but convert your worry to research about HCM and ways to take really good care of yourself, and you will be doing your body a huge favor. Please post any questions here, and feel free to e-mail me or call the office if you have an urgent problem.
Let us know what doctor you decide to go to. Most of us here have been to the biggies and can tell you all about them.
take care
Sarah
Author: liza (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date: 04-28-02 01:04
hi i am an 28 year old female who has just been diesnosed as having ihss this scares me seeing how heart disease running on my mothers side of the family both my mom grandmother and uncle died at the age of 53 from heart conditions. i am presently on atentol but find it to be little relief of my sympton i experiance lightheadedness daily also palpations. is there any info on this subject people can help me out with i know very little about this condition and am i very scared to do anything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Re: ihss]
Author: Sarah Beckley (---.dsl.mindspring.com)
Date: 04-28-02 11:51
Dear Liza
Welcome to the board. You are going to be ok. IHSS is the old name for HCM.
First, read all the info on this web site, as it is very good. Second, you can join HCMA and get the newsletter, which has more info too. Third, and most importantly, call the HCMA at 973-983-7429 to get the name of an HCM specialist near you.
Because you have a history of early death in the family, it is very important that you get evaluated for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). This is a little box that would zap your heart back to normal if it tried to do anything dangerous. Many people with HCM get them and live long, happy lives.
There are lots of other medications to choose from and even a couple surgeries. So, the only way to know what is going to work best for you is to see a cardiologist who really knows HCM well. You can reach your life expectancy with HCM, truly.
Also, call your current doctor and let them know that the atenolol isn't working. They can adjust your dose or change meds.
You can do anything you used to do, but you should avoid heavy weight lifting, really rigourous exercise (yoga, walking, light aeorbics ok), dark chocolate (milk choc ok), caffeine, nicotine, drugs, alcholol, heavy meals (especially before bed) and stress (I know this last one is impossible, but do what you can). Otherwise, live your life the way you have. You may want to take a multi-vitamin and eat more fish and bananas, since most people don't get enough magnesium and potassium which are key to proper heart function.
It is hard to stop worrying about it, but convert your worry to research about HCM and ways to take really good care of yourself, and you will be doing your body a huge favor. Please post any questions here, and feel free to e-mail me or call the office if you have an urgent problem.
Let us know what doctor you decide to go to. Most of us here have been to the biggies and can tell you all about them.
take care
Sarah