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Post by resonantD on Sept 6, 2018 18:48:13 GMT -8
I have two heart conditions: inefficient flow and late rhythmns. The result is that I'm frequently out of breath and have low blood pressure. Under extreme prolonged exertion I can faint. Neither are terribly life threatening. My fitness level is probably more of a problem.
On my day hikes of eight to ten miles I don't notice much besides shortness of breath. I suppose that is prettty normal.
It would be nice to hear from others who may relate. Do you find altitude sickness occurrs at lower elevations, for example?
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desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291 
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Post by desert dweller on Sept 7, 2018 16:30:02 GMT -8
resonantD. I'm curious, are your limitations due more to the medication or the heart conditions? I take a statin for cholesterol and I take a blood pressure medicine. I changed the blood pressure medicine to a different after the first one gave me swollen ankles which altered how my boots fit.
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Post by resonantD on Sept 8, 2018 4:01:06 GMT -8
There is no medication. The central nerve is damaged, and a valve is damaged.
It probably won't amount to much.
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Post by redhtbassplyr on Sept 17, 2018 12:09:25 GMT -8
May be able to give you some insight given a little more details with my medical background. Inefficient flow as in have you had an Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) to determine this? Were you given any numbers on this or did your doctor give this another name? Also do you have another name for the "late rhythms" and was this picked up from a electrocardiogram( 12 stickers put on your chest). How low is your blood pressure? Which Valve is it that is abnormal and to what degree?
Overall though without this info I'd say your conditions must be pretty mild to moderate at best because you sound to be doing pretty good. Sad, but true your 8-10 mi day hikes probably would kill 33% of Americans these days haha. First and foremost always check with your doctor if he or she wants to place you on any restrictions or give you some recommendations. I wouldn't make an appointment though, just run it by them next checkup you have.
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Post by resonantD on Sept 18, 2018 16:22:28 GMT -8
Repaired tetrology of Fallot, resulting in mitral regurgitation and a partial bundle block. |
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Post by redhtbassplyr on Sept 20, 2018 4:38:22 GMT -8
Gotcha, I'm assuming this has been a lifelong thing for you with the repair taking place when you were much younger, if you even remember it at all if it was that early. Obviously everyone is different, but generally speaking right sided bundle blocks are benign and cause no symptoms to mild symptoms when exercising and left sided can have little more symptoms, but still pretty mild unless you're really over doing it. Since you had the repair I'm also taking that as your Mitral regurgitation being trivial to mild regurgitation at worst, or you had a valve repair/or even new valve to get it to pretty good function. Overall with these conditions just listen to your body. You don't want your heart to be pumping away at >150-180 beat sustained for more than 15-30 mins or yea you'll probably get dizzy, short of breath and at worst faint or get close to fainting. I would just say plan your hikes to allow for a little more frequent rests. Don't try to prove anything to anyone if you hike with others and to go at the pace your body needs so to not get yourself into a situation getting dizzy on a steep trail or something. Altitude would most likely give you more trouble than others and I would just allow for more acclimation time or get some prescriptions to ease the symptoms of altitude if you don't have adequate time to acclimate. Exercise is good and recommended for your condition(s), like I said just know your limits and it sounds like you have a pretty insightful gauge on it already so keep it up and keep hiking.
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Post by greymouse on Nov 25, 2018 21:22:05 GMT -8
Let me see if I can add to this. I've had six minor heart attacks, one major heart attack, a CABG surgery for triple bypass, and a stent put in within the last five years. Shortness of breath ? Yeah I understand your issue lol. I take a handful of drugs every day and will until I die some day. The absolute best thing that I did to help my shortness of breath was to quite smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco (nicotine causes the blood vessels to constrict and limit blood hence low oxygen), cut out excess carbs, fat, salt, and sugar because I also was getting the swollen ankles and was borderline diabetic (6.4 A1C before-now 5.4 A1C at my last visit). After loosing 65lbs in the last seven months and getting my diet under control I am able to at least hike now but nowhere near the distance that I would like to due to my knees and other injuries.
My suggestion would be to follow as best as possible a good heart healthy diet, increase your physical state (loose weight/work out), and loose any bad habits that are contributing to your issue. Of course you probably already know that but I'm living proof that it will greatly help you. I find that before a good hike I will start walking every day for about a month to get the knees ready and get my heart in better condition. Walking a mile a day really helps me keep the old knees working and the blood pumping. If I don't do it then I'll suck wind like there's no tomorrow on a short hike. Btw I live at sea level (30ft actually) and have never had an issue with altitude sickness until at least 3,000' or above or with a very high amount of elevation change in a very short period while hiking.
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