Bruising?

[Laoshur]

I doubt that this has anything to do with HCM, but because it seems to happen most when my heart is stressed, I am going to ask. I occasionally get tiny bruises primarily on my arms and sometimes several at a time, especially when I overdo. I have had them off and on for about 5 years, but never mentioned them to a doctor because by the time I decide one has formed, it fades to a brownish color and looks like an age spot, so I figured no one would believe me when I said they were bruises. They do not, as far as I can determine, form in response to an injury. They just appear. I never considered that they could be connected with a heart problem until last October when I seriously overdid when I attempted to climb a mountain. About halfway up, I noticed about six of these had formed on my arms. I think that almost scared me more than the fact that I was gasping for every breath. But, although I saw one or two from time to time after that, I never saw another cluster until last month when we took our trip to Henan Province. The first day was especially hot and tiring, but no where near as bad as the October climb, but again I developed about six of these over about two hours time.

Today I got one of the isolated ones again, so decided I would ask. They typically start as a small, dark red bump that looks and feels like a mole. Over a few hours they spread to a flat, prownish red area that looks more like a bruise. The final size ranges from about 1/4 to 1/2 inch across.

Does anyone else get these? Any idea what causes them?
Thanks!

Rhoda

[Burton Borrok]

Re: Bruising?

Hi Rhoda,
Only a couple of weeks and you’ll be able to ask a specialist about this. Write it down on your question list so you don’t forget.

If I were to take a wild stab at it, it sounds to me like strain will put too much pressure on some small capillaries or arteries causing them to break or leak, giving you the small dark red lump under your skin. As it dissipates, and before it is absorbed back into your body, it takes on the classic appearance of a hematoma, or bruise. As you age you will find this type of thing can happen at any time, for any reason, or for no apparent reason at all.

At least that’s my guess. Be well.
Burt

[Laoshur]

Re: Bruising?

Thanks, Burt, I guess! Somehow I keep finding ways to feel old. I was afraid they were related to aging because I have seen things that looked similar on people in their 80's and beyond. Somehow I was not ready to accept the idea that I could start looking like that in my 50's.

Anyway, I assume that since no one elso has responded that they get them that they are not HCM related.

Rhoda

[angall]

Re: Bruising?

Hi Rhonda
Unfortunately, I get them too. I am 51 years old. I call them Old Lady spors...LOL It seems as though they multiply over night! I have them mostly on my arms, some on my hands.
Get use to them, they're here to stay.

[angall]

Re: Bruising?

Oops.....I saw a typo I meant to type....I call them "Old Lady Spots"

[Burton Borrok]

Re: Bruising?

Rhoda & Esther,
No need to worry about it. I also started getting them in my fifties, and from time to time I notice a new bruise here and there. I will soon be 72 – my wife has just turned 72, and we play bridge with men and women in their seventies to late eighties.

Once they start, they seem to develop their own rhythm. It’s not that they just keep getting worse, although the older you get the easier you bruise.

Then of course there’s varicose veins, - the rupturing of generally larger arterial components. In men I notice it most frequently in the area of their feet, generally brought on by kicking or banging incidents, while in woman you tend to see it mostly in the legs. I personally think that can be attributed to high heals and the abuse their legs get in the name if fashion. (We are a strange breed of animal after all, aren’t we?)
Burt

[Laoshur]

Re: Bruising?

Esther,

Are yours bruises or what are called age spots? I only ask because you said that they are here to stay. What I am asking about only look like age spots for a week or so and then fade gradually away like any other bruise.

Rhoda