Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

[jmkruta]

I was diagnosed at age 35 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, I am now 46. Yesterday, for about 3 hours my heart rate was 42 beats per min. I was sweating, pale, couln't walk, dizzy, and ended with a migrane. I was wondering how concerned I should be with these episodes?

[grendslori]

If you haven't got in touch with your doctor yet, you should do that. Valve issues are common with HCM, all four of my daughter's valves were bad. Contact your doctor about what is going on. Also there is a great site: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association where you might want to go. They have a lot of good info on there and a really nice supportive Community Forum

[jmkruta]

I do have a defibrillator/pacemaker implanted, however it needs new batteries and I have been putting the surgery off because I am uninsured and self employed. I take atenol and verapamil. Also I have a leaky mitral valve. I used to have more of the racing heart beat with tac., but as of July the low heart rate and Sunday's was by far the most alarming! I did not pass out but extremely close, everything would go black and my ears would hum until I could sit. Thank you for youre inquiry............jmkruta

[grendslori]

A heart rate of 42 is classified as Bradycardia and the rate is low, however many people have a rate of 40 bpm and due just fine. Your rate of 42 bpm would not have STAYED at 42 for three hours as the heart rate fluctuates. You gave several symptoms of how you felt but I noticed you never mention have any pre-syncopy with all that happened so that is actually a good thing. Have you had an EP Study done yet? You do not say how bad your HCM is nor do you say if you have any electrical problems with your heart, those are things that are important to know. Sometimes with HCM, a pacemaker needs to be inserted to keep the heart rates up. Sometime patients suffer from Sick Sinus Syndrome and also have problems with blocks (LBBB,RBBB) and need duel chamber pacers. If you had a true bradycardia, due to something like SSS, you would tend to be lightheaded 24/7 basically. Are you being seen by a specialist who deals with HCM patients. Are you on calcium channel blockers to help relax your heart muscle so that it can pump better? Call your doctor and at least let him know about your symptoms.

[kevk]

I agree with everyone else call your doctor ASAP. If you are on meds you may need adjustment. I have HCM and have had the spectrum of heart rates anywhere from 20-315.
Be careful my slow rates would sometimes trigger unwanted arrhythmia`s.

[itdood]

Yes, get in for a checkup.  With  hypertrophic cardiomyopathy you should be getting checked out at least once per year if it's under control.

[cindy707]

I would definately make the call to your heart doc like now not later.  You obviously went into some sort of Bradycardia w. alot of other symtoms that are very alarming to me and i seriously would have called 911 when it all occured.  What you described sounds to me like you need to see a heart doc so he/she can figure out what happened and if there is any residual effects going on in your body.  You don't want to be defenseless asleep tonite and have something happen that could have been prevented.  As soon as you read this i would make the call no matter what time of day it is where you are because if it is after hours someone will be on call to advise you what you need to do now......don't wait we only have one shot at life and you are way too young to tempt fate w. your heart...good luck and please let us know what happens......so should you be concerned? Very i would say.......