Heart disease

[CMB51]

I have had a dilated cardiomyopathy for thirty years from chemotherapy as a teenager.  I have been on coreg and vasotec since early on and have been well controlled with my EF staying around 43-45%.  The last year I have had decreased exercise tolerance and my EF has gone down to around 40%.  I exercise regularly and am very frustrated that I can't run anymore.  My resting HR is too low to increase the coreg and my BP too low to increase vasotec.  I can't run without my HR going into the 150's.  I start to get SOB if I try to sustain a HR above 140.  Any suggestions on what I might do to be able to do more than just walking?  My muscles, mind and body want to do more but my heart won't let me.  Is it dangerous to push beyond my 85% target HR?

[CMB51]

Thanks for your comment.  What you say is true. I guess I just have to hear it.  I have always been very active athletically so it is hard not be able to do what I used to do, but I am just lucky to be here and I have to remember that!

[ed34]

It would be silly to push over your max heart rate with cardiomyopathy. Why dont you strengthen your heart by simply walking a bit faster and for longer? Walking or swimming are great exercises, running isn't necessary at all.