Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?!
Question: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy!?
If anyone out there is a cardiologist, I'd love some help!. I'm a 43 year old female in good health!. I have good b/p!. I am 5'1 and weigh about 117 lbs!. I run 6 days a week, 3 miles a day at between 6-7 miles per hour!. I tend to get alot of irregular heartbeats and always have (was diagnosed with MVP many years ago but was told it was very minor and would not cause symptoms)!. My question is this!. If someone is a recreational runner, not running long distances or speeds, are they at risk to develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart)!? I have had EKG's, ecocardiograms, a stress test and even wore a holter monitor (last year) for the irregular heart beats and nothing was every found, even tho those tests were done years ago!. Should I be concerned or cut my running routine!? I thought I was doing something good for me but am worried I'm doing more harm than good!.
Thanks everyone!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Thanks everyone!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Theres nothing in particular, from what you have written, that sounds like it would put you at increased risk for hypertropic cardiomyopathy!. Thickening of the left ventricle is most commonly the result of hypertension!. The heart has to work harder to push against increased resistance in the vascular system!. Since you say that you have a normal blood pressure, this does not sound like it would be a problem!.
Now, I'm not a cardiologists but I did cardiology rotations as part of my internship, back in the day, and most of the cases that I saw that were termed hypertropic cardiomyopathy seemed to be due to specific increases in the thickness of the tissue in the outflow track in the left ventricle!. The increase in tissue was relatively site specific!. The most likely cause of nonhypertension related hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is inherited!. There can always be other causes and it is true that you can have mitral valve changes due to HCM but I do not believe that MVP is considered to be a significant risk factor!. Besides, by the time that you develop valvular changes, you would have sufficient wall thickening to be able to see it on echo, if not transthoracic, definitely transesophageal!.
If you are a runner, your heart will become stronger and more efficient over time!. It should not cause hypertropic cardiomyopathy!. I am not sure why you are getting irregular heartbearts-whether these are PVCs or some other problem like Wolf Parkinson White-but if you have had a holter, EKGs and a stress test and the MDs have not been concerned, I think you are on solid footing!. Keep in mind that most of the time, running and exercise are good things that should not be given up without instruction from your doc!. I have heard of multiple cases of athletes that had heart attacks, secondary to atherosclerosis, and did much better than a nonathlete because all of the running caused them to build extensive collateral arterial support that kept the muscle alive until they could get to help!. So, until your MD tells you otherwise, I would keep running!. And if you are very worried and there is no contraindication to doing so, taking a baby ASA a day certainly cannot hurt!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Now, I'm not a cardiologists but I did cardiology rotations as part of my internship, back in the day, and most of the cases that I saw that were termed hypertropic cardiomyopathy seemed to be due to specific increases in the thickness of the tissue in the outflow track in the left ventricle!. The increase in tissue was relatively site specific!. The most likely cause of nonhypertension related hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is inherited!. There can always be other causes and it is true that you can have mitral valve changes due to HCM but I do not believe that MVP is considered to be a significant risk factor!. Besides, by the time that you develop valvular changes, you would have sufficient wall thickening to be able to see it on echo, if not transthoracic, definitely transesophageal!.
If you are a runner, your heart will become stronger and more efficient over time!. It should not cause hypertropic cardiomyopathy!. I am not sure why you are getting irregular heartbearts-whether these are PVCs or some other problem like Wolf Parkinson White-but if you have had a holter, EKGs and a stress test and the MDs have not been concerned, I think you are on solid footing!. Keep in mind that most of the time, running and exercise are good things that should not be given up without instruction from your doc!. I have heard of multiple cases of athletes that had heart attacks, secondary to atherosclerosis, and did much better than a nonathlete because all of the running caused them to build extensive collateral arterial support that kept the muscle alive until they could get to help!. So, until your MD tells you otherwise, I would keep running!. And if you are very worried and there is no contraindication to doing so, taking a baby ASA a day certainly cannot hurt!.Www@Answer-Health@Com