Lifting heavy objects is potentially risky when you live with an HCM, as it can cause a Valsalva maneuver, according to Aldo L. Schenone, MD, cardiologist and HCM specialist based in New York.
Valsalva’s maneuver consists in expeling the air with the closed nose and mouth. It is a non -invasive way to help slow the heart rate and restore a normal heart rate. But if you suffer from HCM, the Valsalva maneuver can induce an obstruction of the left ventricle ejection pathway (LVOT), explains Dr. Schenone. This blocks the ability of your blood to get out of the lower left room from your heart to the rest of your body.
For this reason, Schenone generally encourages people with HCM to avoid lifting exercises and movements that could cause similar efforts, especially if they are extended. Halterophilia is not always out of the question, but first talk to your doctor. You should be assessed and receive appropriate advice regarding these lifting activities and exercises.
To do: stay well hydrated
Pay particular attention to giving priority to hydration when you live with an HCM. “Dehydration reduces intravascular risk [blood] volume, which means that the heart is less filled with blood, [which] Can promote the obstruction of the lvot, ”explains Schenone.
He also says that, because people with HCM have a thickened heart muscle, they tend to have smaller cardiac cavities than people not affected by HCM. Thus, the heart tends to contain less blood volume. Consequently, it can be more difficult for the heart to compensate when a person with HCM is dehydrated.
Not to be done: use spas or saunas
Be particularly careful in hot environments.
About two -thirds of people with MHC suffer from obstructive MHC, in which the thickening of the heart muscle affects the blood flow outside the left cavity of the heart. In these cases, low blood pressure can promote the obstruction of the lvot. Indeed, when blood pressure drops, the heart can start to beat more vigorously – a muscle movement that increases the risk of obstruction, explains Schenone.
The saunas are a hot environment that can cause dilation (or enlargement) of the blood vessels, resulting in a reduction in blood pressure, explains Schenone. In addition, they can cause water loss via perspiration, which can have a negative impact on the hydration of people with HCM, he says. Likewise, spas can cause blood vessels to widen and drop in blood pressure.
To do: work with an HCM specialist
It is a good idea to work with your care team, including an HCM specialist, to make prudent and enlightened decisions concerning your care.
“I think it is important that patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are seen at least once by an expert in the disease,” said Schenone. These specialists have a unique understanding of the disease and can give you specific recommendations on what you can and cannot do safely.
Specialists can also help when it comes to drugs, he said. For example, certain drugs are better than others for people with HCM and high blood pressure, as they can treat these conditions while minimizing the risk of lvot obstruction.
Not to be done: smoking
Not smoking is part of a healthy lifestyle for the heart, which also makes it important for people with HCM. Living with an HCM can also expose you to a higher risk of developing other heart disease, such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Smoking can worsen these two conditions.
“Stop smoking [and] “Abstinence is important for anyone to prevent cardiovascular disease,” said Schenone. People with HCM are no exception. “Smoking is one of the most important risk factors in heart disease,” he said.
Smoking can also have a unique effect in people with HCM, narrowing the arteries that irrigate the heart and aggravating the symptoms.
To do: Take very good care of your gums and your teeth
Good dental hygiene is important for anyone suffering from heart disease, explains Schenone. He always recommends that his patients go to the dentist for routine cleaning and any necessary maintenance because these care can have an impact on heart results.
When you suffer from MHC, you run a higher risk of endocarditis, inflammation of the heart mucosa caused by an infection. Such infections can come from many sources, including poor dental hygiene and even dental interventions.
Schenone says it can be a good idea for people with certain heart diseases to take antibiotics before dental procedures in order to prevent infections.
Not to do: consume illicit drugs
Illicit drugs can have harmful effects on your body, regardless of the presence of heart disease. And when you live with an HCM, the consumption of illicit drugs can be even more dangerous. Schenone says that for people with obstructive HCM in particular, everything that increases heart rate or increases the contraction force of the heart muscle promotes obstruction.
Consumption of cocaine can increase both the heart rate and the contraction force, and the consumption of certain amphetamines increases the heart rate, thus promoting the obstruction of the lvot, explains Schenone. Methamphetamine is an addictive substance that increases short -term heart rate and increases the risk of heart failure, stroke and long -term infectious endocarditis.
Conversely, Schenone says that if a person with HCM consumes illicit drugs which promote deep relaxation and lead to a significant decrease in blood pressure, low blood pressure can also become a risk factor in the lvot.
To do: Enjoy regular light or moderate exercises
The current directives of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology encourage people with CMH to do regular to moderate exercise. These guidelines also note that some people with HCM may need to start with an initial period of physical activity under medical supervision.
Light intensity exercises include activities such as slow walking. Moderate exercise includes activities such as fast walking, cycling and gardening work. Although people with HCM can start by doing light to moderate exercise, some may continue to do more and more as they improve their physical condition, explains Schenone.
Unfortunately, people with HCM may be more likely to lead a more inactive life and are sometimes encouraged not to exercise. However, if you are not active currently, do not hesitate to discuss with your healthcare team the possibility of starting physical training.
Not to be done: use over -the -counter colds against colds
Decongestants can be useful for relieving uncomfortable symptoms of colds, but if you suffer from heart disease, consult your doctor before taking them. Decongestants can sometimes increase blood pressure, and people with HCM can also suffer from other health problems such as hypertension (high blood pressure), explains Schenone.
The impact of certain colds on heart rate is also important. Some contain phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, which may promote an increase in heart rate, although in a minimal way.
Schenone says that for people with HCM, decongestants can be used as a last resort and with caution. Rather, he recommends trying irrigation with a saline solution and using acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help manage the symptoms of colds.
Take -out dishes
People with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (CMH) should avoid lifting heavy objects, using spas or saunas, smoking, consuming illicit drugs and taking certain over -the -counter cold drugs to protect their heart health and their quality of life.
It is also important that people with HCM remain well hydrated, regularly practice light to moderate exercises and maintain good dental hygiene.
Work in close collaboration with a care team, including an HCM specialist, to receive personalized advice and make informed decisions about your care and your treatment for this heart disease.
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