General physical condition and HCM

[marvwaschke]

Until a year ago I was an avid bicyclist. I was very careful to keep my pulse down, usually below 100, never above 120, and dismounting to walk up hill if necessary.

Then I was hit by a motorist paying more attention to a cell phone than traffic . The accident required surgery to patch me up, and I ended up with some major changes in my job, which resulted in more traveling and fewer opportunities to ride.

Consequently my general muscle tone has gone down, and my symptoms, which were well controlled before the accident, have returned.

Have others experienced the same thing? It seems reasonable that generally toned muscles will strain the inefficient HCM heart less.

~Marv

[Reenie]

Re: General physical condition and HCM

That's a good question. I don't know the answer, though. I would think that you could be right, within reason. We do know that intense workouts and weight lifting are generally avoided with HCM.

Reenie

[Fred]

Re: General physical condition and HCM

Marv,

I think so. I was an avid body builder since I was 18. Then when I was diagnosed with HOCM on age 25, the doctor told me to stop with body building. The last 5 years I lost most of the muscle mass and exchanged some of it for frence fries
My symptoms got so bad the last 18 months that I had a myectomy 5 weeks ago.

I think that being in the best possible shape you can be with HCM is key, even though it's very hard. (but who am I telling).

Fred