Biking, isn't it great?

[THE JAM]

Am I alone here with biking? I've tried all sorts of sports, and so far biking seems to be the best, as if it's perfectly fitted for my condition. It's low impact, easy on the body, I'm by myself so I can go at my own pace, and I get the bonus of transportation and getting to know the city, or nature, on a bike, which is an experience within itself. I wonder if there is any connection between having HCM and biking being a good excersize for this condition.

Running is a definite no no, it just feels so hard and stressfull, which eliminates almost all organized sport (football, soccer, basketball, etc) and people to play with. The cardiologist didn't like the idea of weight lifting. Walking just doesn't seem to be excersize enough for a young man like me. Hiking territory is too long a drive outside the city. Biking is the only sport that so far fits in with me.

Does anyone else have an excersize which fits in with your condition. Martial arts? Canoeing? Skiing? (oooo, I hate skiing) Maybe someone has some good ideas to inspire me to try something different.

[Lisa Salberg]

I would discuss these matters with a doctor first and formost. Uphill biking can be a great stress on your heart - one you do not need.
Becareful and discuss your options with your doctor.
Lisa

[Robert Hartwell]

Yo JAM!

After a recent conversation with my HCM doc, he indicated that I could do most aerobic type exercise as long as I kept my maximum heartrate in the range of 120 - 125. I can work with dumbbell type weights doing exercises where you breath normally and not grunt as in powerlifting.

For me this mean power walking, and I am looking forward to summer and..... biking! It has been a long time since I used my bike. I purchased a relativly inexpensive heart rate monitor, and I will make sure not to exceed dr. recommendations ( in the midwest, all is flat!). I will also try some aerobic classes, but the hard charging high heartrate stuff is out. I took martial arts during my late 20's and the workouts were very strenuous. Can't do that now.

Bob

[Ken Crawford]

Question for Robert

Robert, can you tell me where you have found an inexpensive heart monitor that actually works.

[Pat]

Exercuse & heart monitor

Dr. Shah told me in October to keep my heart rate below 120. This has been one of the benefits for me in consulting an HCM specialist--my regular cardiologist had said "Go for it!" when I asked about pushing my heart rate as high as I could. And three years later my symptoms were worse and my aerobic ability had not improved. It's nice to see here confirmation that it is some sort of standard to keep the rate low.

I'm with you, Bob, that it certainly limits my options. Walking & hiking are pretty much it for me. I've not tried cycling as I can reach 120 with the slightest of inclines when walking--ones which other people don't even recognize have an incline. Sometimes I myself have to look back and then I realize, "Ah, yes! I was going uphill!"

The heart monitor helps me a lot because I set the top rate at 120 and don't have to watch the rate--the beeping notifies me to slow down. My own heart monitor was not cheap, but the warranty and repair service are excellent. It is from Polar Electro, a Finnish company. I bought it through the web site <http://www.polarusa.com>

Pat

[Robert Hartwell]

Ken,

As Pat stated, Polar makes an entire line of heart rate monitors. The run from about $50 for the A1 to $499 for their top of the line. They do work as long as the chest transmitter is tight enough. The Sports Authority is currently selling the A1 for $39.99. I don't know how long this sale will last. Don't buy on-line direct from Polar, you can find it cheaper in the stores.

Bob

[Toogoofy317]

Wal-mart also sells Polar heart monitors. I have had mine for over a year and it still works great! I got for around $35.

MaryS.

[Glen Beamish]

Hi Jam, I have been cycling for many years, ever since Dr. Wigle didn't want me running anymore, I used to run 25 miles a week, but that was 30 years ago when I was first diagnosed.
I also keep my heart rate below 120, but then for me it is hard to get it higher than that because of the beta blocker.
This past year I have done a lot of cycling, 5 times a week at a moderate rate, have lost 25 pounds and hopefully dr. Wigle will let me go in a bike ride event in June.
If I don't cycle I find that I lose energy and things like climbing stairs become a little harder.
Right now I probably feel the best I have in 20 years.
I have been canoeing for as long as I can remember and actually made my own cedar strip canoe.

[liona]

Well, it certainly is a relief to see that you folks are maintaining a moderately active lifestyle, since I am newly diagnosed, and the first thing the cardiologist said was to stop all exercise until I was further evaluated. I immediately said NO.

I learned everything I value about fitness and conditioning from a few years in Norway when I was young. They stress on-going discipline and NEVER attempting anything you haven't built yourself up for. With those Norwegians, there are no shortcuts, and the approach is safe and sane for everyone.

I lift moderate weights, and I believe everyone should, but build up slowly. Unfortunately, not many Americans have the discipline to put in the kind of time it takes----------

I bench press 75 pounds with my legs crossed in the air, so the legs add zero to the stability---about 30 reps and have done so for years. I consider this base line strenght a neccessity and do a wide variety of other weight training in a gym as well. 3-4 times a week, working hours each time.

The Dr. went nuts when I told him this, and I replied, "Yes, and if I was so silly as to follow your advice, the next time I got another leg injury and had to use crutches, I'd have a heart attack and die, because I wouldn't be up to it."

If the Dr. was correct, I'd be dead already.

[Glen Beamish]

Liona, weight lifting is a different kettle of fish and it is not recomennded for people with HCM.
I would wait until you are fully evaluated, or at least keep the weight lifting to a low level.
It seems if your HCM doc allows you to do moderate excercise, it is aerobic as opposed to weight lifting.

[Lisa Salberg]

liona -
1 - I am Norwegian... yes we are a bit strong minded Yes when we put our mind to something it gets done!

Weight lifting is out right dangerous and places you at risk each and every time you do it. You should think carefully about your choice. To say that you would be dead already if the Dr was correct is an incorrect evaluation of the facts. You Dr is correct that the type of activity you are doing places you at high risk - to now you have been LUCKY - nothing more nothing less.
I can tell you countless stories of "healthy people" with HCM who die suddenly from their HCM - some directly after weight lifting. I would really hate to see your loved ones posting here one day that you have met with this fate - -
Why risk it? There are other things you can do to keep to keep your body in shape - -TALK to your doctor PLEASE!
I am sorry to speak so strongly but you are really placing yourself at risk, PLEASE thing about this.
If you want to talk...call the office.
Lisa

[liona]

Sorry you folks feel this way----In my case you are just plain WRONG. I am not just a HCM case, I have massive tethered cord inflicted problems, and my life would relapse back into hideous pain if I was so silly as to follow this advice.

A path that leads to a life not worth living is not worth following. There are more important quality of life issues than simply increasing the lenght of time that you live--------

[Ken Crawford]

posted message

You do not know how sad I feel when I read your posts. I can't say anything that will change your mind, but I will pray for you.

[Lisa Salberg]

Sorry you folks feel this way----In my case you are just plain WRONG. I am not just a HCM case, I have massive tethered cord inflicted problems, and my life would relapse back into hideous pain if I was so silly as to follow this advice.

A path that leads to a life not worth living is not worth following. There are more important quality of life issues than simply increasing the lenght of time that you live--------

In fact my statements are not "WRONG" they are 100% in line with the medical liturature. If you choose to take a different path that is your choice and I respect that. Please do not make statements that are untrue, to simply state you disagree is fine.

The other condition that you have is not one that we see much here. Can you educate us a little as to what it is about?


Sincerely,
Lisa