Bending over..and new cardiologist

[Abbygirl2]

Eventually I will run out of questions....but not yet.
I have a hard time bending over(tieing shoes, picking up toys). My heart feels uncomfortable or unstable...just feels weird, sometimes it skips a beat or two. Anyone else feel this way?


ALSO, My GP recommended me seeing another cardiologist for a second opinion and more testing.(My other cardio. didn't want to do any other testing on me other than the echo). So, looks like I have to go through this all over again.) I hate switching Dr's-this will be my 3rd cardio.
I am still working on getting a refferal to an HCM specialist.

Thanks
Pam

[cynthiaG]

Re: Bending over..and new cardiologist

yes, I feel the same way sometimes....especially if I'm running around and then bending down picking stuff up off the floor. Sometimes it feels like my heart is in my throat...this does not happen all the time, just sometimes. The heat does it to me also...I think I'm going to have to accept that that's the way it's going to be. I think it is an excellent step looking for a HCM specialist or a cardiologist who have HCM patients and is well informed...good luck

[Abbygirl2]

Re: Bending over..and new cardiologist

Its much easier to deal with things when you know your not going through it alone. I was alone with these symptoms for 5 yrs and although I wasn't freaked out by them, they weighed on my mind. Thanks for reassuring me that its just an hcm thing.

Pam

[Burton Borrok]

Re: Bending over..and new cardiologist

Hi Pam,
I never even attempt to tie my shoes unless I’m sitting down. I believe if I bent over to tie them I would just keep going down until I was flat on the floor with a bruised nose.

I also have other strange things going on. I usually can’t sleep straight through the night, but get up and fool around for a few hours, then go back for an hour or so when it gets light out. When I’m in these periods I will often fall asleep during the day for a few seconds at a time – or more – but if I’m driving, or something else that requires my full attention, I can fight off the sleep.

Another one is that generally at rest, watching TV or something, I will become aware of my heart beating (feels strongly) but my pulse is unaffected. Happened last night for about an hour, and my pulse rate was 66.

Anybody else experience any of these wacky things?
Burt

[LynnS]

Re: Bending over..and new cardiologist

Hi all,

Before my septal myectomy bending over and squatting down were very taxing to me; whenever I resumed a normal standing or sitting position my vision would 'gray out'. Post-myectomy the graying out has disappeared but bending/squatting are still not favorite things for me; I will still feel somewhat light-headed after straightening, when bending over my jaw feels very tight, etc.. Here's the explanation I have been given and hope that it makes some sense in each of your experiences. When you go to the cardiologist you probably are asked to do a 'vasal vagal' move (take a deep breath and bear down as if you are having a bowel movment) this move is sort of what happens when we bend or squat. It restricts the blood flow through the heart. You have an artery in your leg that when bending over or squatting has pressure put on it, it restricts the blood flow to our already less-than-perfect hearts. In turn we can experience a variety of symptoms. I'm better off sitting down on the floor completely, if it's socially acceptable , or kneeling down on one knee, it puts less restriction on the artery thus keeps more blood flowing through the heart so the impact isn't so great to me.

As for the awareness of the heart beating in certain positions or times of day it's quite common for us HCM'ers. The heart is always working harder for us and certain positions seem to make us notice the beating more. Many folks are unable to lay on their left sides because of this. For me, being propped up in bed reading a book will do this (my book moves with every beat...) or even laying flat on my back with my head turned to the right will make me aware of it. I also will experience that joy of feeling my heart beat just hanging out as well. Maybe it's that I feel it throughout the day but when I stop moving around I'm more aware of it.

Isn't it fun having all these 'oddities'?? All this being said, please remember you should still check out symptoms with your specialist/doc to make sure they are 'normal' for you.

Hope this helps!
Lynn

[Abbygirl2]

Re: Bending over..and new cardiologist

thanks for the great replies. I have to sit on the floor to pick up my sons toys(several times a day), sometimes if I pout enough, someone else will pick them up Over the years I have noticed many 'oddities' and just usually blame it on hcm. Oddly enough, I am able to lay on my left side.

I sleep horribly at night, my Dr told me to take Benadryl(I have undiagnosed allergies as well), to help me sleep. Anyone know of any adverse reactions when taken with Atenelol and Paxil?

One more 'weird' thing, is when I go for a walk, I can generally walk pretty good, yet when I jump out of the vehicle to go into a store etc, I usually have to walk really slow, my chest is heavy and my heart is pounding. Have yet to figure that one out.

Have a good day!!

Pam