Having a heart condition, such as obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) , can affect your daily life in a number of ways. For example, what may seem like a normal errand or regular gym workout can actually become physically taxing to someone whose symptoms can include chest pain, a racing heart, fatigue, fainting, lightheadedness, and trouble breathing.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293802d293-9be8-4730-9cd0-9cbc3010dc9d But managing obstructive HCM, which is a thickening of the heart muscle that prevents or reduces blood flow,e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629378002f0-fc30-4251-8b61-3cdaacefc1c3 doesn’t stop at medical treatment alone. It’s also about day-to-day management, says Matthew Martinez, MD , an expert in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and the director of Atlantic Health Sports Cardiology at Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey. “It’s critical to know your limitations and to keep in mind that each day is different. Some days you won’t feel as strong or have as much energy, but on others you can push a little more.” Learn smart ways to alter tasks to make them easier with obstructive HCM and ideas for adding rest and recovery periods into your day.
7 Tips to Modify Daily Tasks for Obstructive HCM Tips to Modify Your To-Do List Pacing yourself and changing the way you tackle things is an integral part of living with obstructive HCM . Taking control of how you perform day-to-day chores is a protective strategy for your heart, not a way to sit back or avoid work. Here are several ways to modify your activities when you have obstructive HCM:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292809511f-f3cf-4062-beaa-fbef0ec55ded Nix heavy loads. Big bags of canned foods and large laundry baskets are not your friend, so avoid lifting them. Additionally, be very careful with isometric exertion, which involves tensing your muscles without movement, says cardiologist Milind Desai, MD , director of the Center for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and medical director of the Center for Aortic Diseases at Cleveland Clinic. “Anyone with significant obstruction should steer clear of isometric exertion, which means [you should] avoid holding your breath and grunting when you’re lifting something,” he says. Roll with it. Backpacks, carts, luggage, and even some tote bags that have a set of attached wheels are smart ways to move your items around without heavy lifting. Revamp your eating habits. Certain foods, such as those high in sugar, saturated fat, or salt, can trigger symptoms after eating, so it’s best to limit your intake. Also, consider skipping heavy meals when you have obstructive HCM, says Dr. Desai. “Instead, break your food into smaller, more frequent meals.” The reason: When you eat a big meal, your body’s blood flow is focused on digestion, and the need for more blood in the stomach can raise your heart rate, leading to palpitations or a racing heart.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d81358dc-5dae-4993-a137-06109f235491 Be sure to drink plenty of water, too, as obstructive HCM symptoms can be triggered by dehydration. Plan a different route. “Taking stairs, hills, or inclines while carrying something in your arms will make symptoms worse. And if you’re dehydrated or it’s a hot day, it’s compounded,” says Dr. Martinez. Instead, opt for the elevator, escalator, or level terrain. Check the weather. “Know your surroundings,” says Martinez, and adjust accordingly. For example, on hotter days or beach days, you should carefully manage your exercise or activities. “Be prepared for this with good hydration and sleep ahead of time, and exercise earlier in the day or inside to avoid high temperatures,” he says. Sit, rather than stand. There’s no shame in taking a seat when dicing carrots in the kitchen or folding laundry. Doing so will help you reduce strain and make the task easier to complete. Try some tech. You may benefit greatly from using devices such as a Bluetooth-enabled implanted cardiac monitor, along with smartphone communication to monitor symptoms remotely. Research shows arrhythmias may be detected more in people with obstructive HCM when using these devices, compared to a standard Holter monitor.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290f5962e9-6918-4e52-bfd8-f6032b20db76
Steps to Add Rest and Recovery Into Your Routine Ways to Add Rest and Recovery When you have obstructive HCM, stopping to take a break can feel like a sign of weakness, but it’s important to reframe that mindset. Remind yourself that prioritizing rest and recovery is a big part of protecting your heart health. Work downtime into your day in some simple ways, including: Split large tasks into smaller ones. Consider dividing the work you do around the house into smaller, more manageable tasks. For example, change the sheets on one bed at a time, rather than all of the beds in your home at once, or organize a single closet or drawer instead of several. “Carry smaller, lighter loads, or make multiple trips,” says Martinez. “And keep in mind that pulling something is often better tolerated than pushing it.” Build in breaks. This might be as simple as sitting for a few minutes at a time to rest. Or you might need to take a short nap. Whatever you do, don’t subscribe to the “no days off” approach when it comes to your routine or workout schedule. “Rest and recovery is not a day ‘off,’ but instead part of fitness. And on these days, you should hydrate, stretch, meditate, and relax,” says Martinez. Schedule errands at your peak. Are you a morning person or more of a night owl? Prioritize your to-do list, and make a plan to accomplish your most pressing chores and responsibilities when you feel most energetic. If you run out of time, punt what you were supposed to do until the next day, when you’re reenergized. Spot the signs of overdoing it. To avoid overexertion, it’s important to recognize the signs that you might be pushing yourself too hard. Tracking your symptoms over the course of a week can help you identify patterns. “A lot of people are able to minimize their symptoms by avoiding their known triggers,” says Desai. One common trigger? A change in eating habits. When your normal routine is disrupted, symptoms can become more noticeable. Ask for and accept help. It’s hard to admit you need a hand now and then, but when you have obstructive HCM, it’s critical to reach out for help when you need it. Keep a list of friends and family handy, so you can call on them to step in when you’re having a tough day.
The Takeaway When you have obstructive HCM, toting around heavy groceries or standing in line for too long can lead to symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, and palpitations. A few small tweaks can make tasks easier and reduce symptoms. Try going slower during your day, sitting more, using assistive devices, and eating smaller portions. Taking breaks, pacing yourself, monitoring your symptoms, and chipping away at your to-do list when your energy is high can help you accomplish tasks and manage the condition safely.
How to Modify Everyday Activities to Protect Your Heart With Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
