LVH and Mitral valve leak

[Golfgran]

Hello, I have just found out that at 68 I have moderate concentric LVH after years of stress/anxiety induced hypertension. Started with ectopics and an echocardiogram found these problems. I am terrified that I’m about to keel over and it has ruined my life. Waiting for NHS cardiology appt but how long is a piece of string? Has anyone got any experience with this? Now on 10mg Ramipril, bp lower but surges when I feel heart irregularities. Fear, I suppose. Trying breathing exercises but not very good at them😬. Too scared to exercise, I know that’s not helping but it’s where I am at the moment! Help!

[Happyrosie]

waiting lists vary around the country so this depends on where you live.

While you are waiting to find out what the professionals think is the next step, be reassured that YOU are in control, to the professionals.

Yes, breathing exercises sound easy until you try them! If you didn’t find them difficult to start with you’d be a bit abnormal! Because your brain thinks that breathing is “normal” it thinks it doesn’t need to concentrate on it, so your mind skitters away. That’s just how it is - to start with.

Everything new that you start needs practice. So start practicing. Do just one minute sitting down, hands over your abdomen, closed eyes, count your inbreath for four with mouth closed and outbreath for four mouth slightly open. Just one minute, and if you feel your mind wandering just being it back gently. Feel your abdomen moving slowly up and down, up and down. Then tha exercise is finished. Try a bit later in the day, just for one minute, and it might be a bit easier. Then after a week, will you are getting quite good at it!

Now about exercise. You don’t need to go to the gym but what about walking? Especially in the countryside or a park. You don’t have to go fast, just so that you are breathing a bit quicker but can still talk. Go on your own, go with someone else - up to you!

And drink plenty of water. Check whether your diet needs a tweak by looking at the NHS EatWell Plan (or do they call it Eat Well Plate? )

If you can feel that YOU are in control then I think you’ll be happier.

[Golfgran in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks so much Happyrosie, I really appreciate your lovely reply. I have found out that the referral time is 43 weeks in the Portsmouth area where I live. So, I shall definitely practise the breathing more, check the diet and go on lovely walks along the seafront to try and rebuild some confidence. Kind regards.

[Happyrosie in reply to Golfgran]

Seaside walks - bliss!

[Identiy in reply to Happyrosie]

I had a friend with a similar problem who responded very well to a beta blocker which not only suppressed his ectopics but also lowered his blood pressure.

These drugs work by blocking the action of adrenalin - the chemical that is released when you are having anxiety.

Talk to your GP as he can prescribe this

My understanding is that it can be given along with Ramipril

[Golfgran in reply to Identiy]

Thanks very much, I will ask my GP!

[Happyrosie]

thinking about relaxation techniques: Most mornings I do ten minutes of Joe Wickes for the over fifties on utube.

I was flicking through others and found Fabulour Fifties, which is an Australian woman over fifty guiding you to do exercise. One of them (you’d have to search!) is for relaxation: standing, or sitting, but slowly working through some stretching exercises.

Good for when it’s raining!

[Golfgran]

Many thanks for this, I shall look at it later today🙏

[SandraLlew]

This doesn't sound like fun, I have no knowledge or experience of your situation; but as you said fear, anxiety and no exercise will likely make the issues worse. I have heart and lung issues and I sometimes suffer anxiety attacks, the 2 4 breathing method is good. It does calm you down

[Golfgran in reply to SandraLlew]

Thank you, Sandra. I went for a starter walk across to the beach today and climbed stairs back and I survived!! I will be concentrating on getting back to exercise and complement this with breathing exercises too. I hope all goes well with your problems🌸

[SandraLlew in reply to Golfgran]

Have a google on meditative walking this combines the exercise with the breathing at the same time, can be useful. Thank you for your wishes, the heart op is on Wednesday,

[Golfgran in reply to SandraLlew]

I shall be thinking of you, thanks for your advice🙏