I think fitness for us with HCM is important and it is something we can control for ourselves. I see it this way: HCM limits the capacity of our hearts. The limit is determined by the idiosyncracy of the disease in each of us, but we all know more about that limit than we would like when we are hit by chest pain, shortness of breath, light headedness, the list goes on as we know from experience. We take drugs, have implants and undergo surgeries to avoid the symptoms.
But I believe fitness is another way to push away those limits so we can live more normal, productive, and satisfying lives. We can't do much to strengthen our sick hearts, but we can increase our lung capacities and tone our muscles. I believe the more fit we are, the less our hearts have to work.
But we have to be so careful. No marathons for us! No sweat drenched sessions at the gym, no aerobics to a pounding beat, maybe not even a brisk walk or even a leisurely stroll for some of us. But I think that by increasing general muscle tone, each one of us can take a step forward and perhaps move from a symptom-free leisurely stroll around the block to a symptom-free brisk walk around the lake.
The question is how to do it safely? Without risking the specter of sudden death that haunts us and our loved ones.
I would like to discuss this in this thread. To start, am I right? Or just hooting in the wind. I'd like to hear both from experts and non-experts with personal experience.
All other questions are irrelevant, if fitness does matter. But if it does matter, what works, what doesn't? How do you know when you are pushing it too hard?
And finally, I would love to hear some success stories. And, failures are important too.
Regards,
Marv
But I believe fitness is another way to push away those limits so we can live more normal, productive, and satisfying lives. We can't do much to strengthen our sick hearts, but we can increase our lung capacities and tone our muscles. I believe the more fit we are, the less our hearts have to work.
But we have to be so careful. No marathons for us! No sweat drenched sessions at the gym, no aerobics to a pounding beat, maybe not even a brisk walk or even a leisurely stroll for some of us. But I think that by increasing general muscle tone, each one of us can take a step forward and perhaps move from a symptom-free leisurely stroll around the block to a symptom-free brisk walk around the lake.
The question is how to do it safely? Without risking the specter of sudden death that haunts us and our loved ones.
I would like to discuss this in this thread. To start, am I right? Or just hooting in the wind. I'd like to hear both from experts and non-experts with personal experience.
All other questions are irrelevant, if fitness does matter. But if it does matter, what works, what doesn't? How do you know when you are pushing it too hard?
And finally, I would love to hear some success stories. And, failures are important too.
Regards,
Marv
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