symption question

[Gary Jackson]

if 2 people have HCM and 1 is mildly symptomatic and the other is non symptomatic does this say anyhting to how severe of a case of HCM one has?.If someone is not symptomatic and another is does this make a diiference about being on meds? I know some can havea higher gradient and not have symtoms and vice versa

thank u
Gary

[Lisa Salberg]

Gary I am not sure what you are really asking here? If you are asking if symptoms are directly related to the severity of the hypertophy or stucture of the heart the answer is no. People with mild hypertophy can have sever symptoms and people with very thick hearts can have few or no symptoms - it does not appear fair but it is very true.

Lisa

[Gary Jackson]

if one s NOT symtopmatic should they be on meds? and if symptomatic should they be on meds? what determines if meds are prescribed?


I understand what u r referring too ...

[Sarah]

Some doctors automatically put any HCMer on a betablocker because they soften the heart beat, lower the heart rate and in some cases of long term use, have reduced the septal hypertrophy (note that that is not a cure since the muscle is still disorganized, just closer to normal thickness).

There are no hard and fast rules.

[Gary Jackson]

so its really the doctors preference regarding meds... I would guess then if a good bp, pulse, and no palpatations with none or mild sympstoms then they would just monitor it. But I know it varies

thank u

[Lisa Salberg]

This is one of the reasons we often recommend the evaluation of a specialist to evaluate the case. SImply as a point of reference I spoke to a man yesterday that was told 5 yrs ago that he had septal hypertophy - and well basicly 'see ya later' - ne meds, no close follow up nothing. Today he has a gradient of 80mm and is begining to be more and more symptomatic. Over and over again we see those who were not given treatment progress into more sever forms of HCM with more implications. I have also seen people get on meds earlier and NOT progress at the same rates as those not treated. Sometimes we need to look 5 and 10 years ahead and take care of ourselves for our furture.

A review with an HCM specialist is always well advised for anyone living with this complicated condition.

Lisa

[Reenie]

This is one of the reasons we often recommend the evaluation of a specialist to evaluate the case. SImply as a point of reference I spoke to a man yesterday that was told 5 yrs ago that he had septal hypertophy - and well basicly 'see ya later' - ne meds, no close follow up nothing. Today he has a gradient of 80mm and is begining to be more and more symptomatic. Over and over again we see those who were not given treatment progress into more sever forms of HCM with more implications. I have also seen people get on meds earlier and NOT progress at the same rates as those not treated. Sometimes we need to look 5 and 10 years ahead and take care of ourselves for our furture.

A review with an HCM specialist is always well advised for anyone living with this complicated condition.

Lisa

This is precisely why I finally got my husband an appointment with a specialist. I've been trying for years but he wasn't interested in going until now.

Reenie

[Gary Jackson]

thank you for the impute...


I have a gradient of 8 and a thickness of 1.3 with some sob.. So will discuss if meds are right as not to aggravate the situation