Asymptomatic HF?

[OneMoreRep]

Hi,

I am 52, married to Ann with 2 (adult) children, Vanessa and Mason. I run my own company and until recently, have been a competitive bodybuilder.

My younger brother, who was also my business partner, died in Jan 24 of a sudden cardiac arrest while out on his bike. He, like me was a fitness nut!!

The PM was inconclusive and further lab testing on his heart didn’t really uncover anything specific either… the conclusion was borderline hypertrophy of the LV probably caused by hypertension (which he was diagnosed with many years ago), even though he was on medication to treat this.

So, my brother's daughters and I were advised to self-refer and undergo testing.

My first test was an ECHO in Jan this year. It showed some LV hypertrophy and thickening of the heart walls and a LVEF of 43%. The consultant explained the "moderate" impairment and arranged for me to have a MRI. I didn't really understand the EF bit, but nevertheless, I was a little shocked not to be told "everything was normal and away you go"!!

I had the MRI 6-7 weeks later (March) and, a couple weeks after that, when I had the follow up with my consultant, he informed me the LVEF was now @ 33%!!

There is some mention in the report, that I admitted to having a couple of caffeinated coffees the morning of the MRI (I didn't read the preparation notes!!) which doesn’t mix well with the solution they use to stress the heart? Regardless, I was still horrified. I'm completely asymptomatic and train like a locomotive in the gym.

The consultant then ordered a CT scan, as the MRI wasn’t able to show possible blockages. I am yet to receive the results.

I’ve had an ECG and wore a 24hr ambulatory cardiac monitor which were both normal.

My blood tests came back mostly normal apart from a few that are typically outside of normal ranges for people who weight train rigorously. Particularly, my NT-proBNP which was 20, and my HBA1c was optimal @ 5.4%.

I have just started taking ramipril and bisoprolol in the hope these will raise my LVEF.

So, here I am! Physically fine but, I've committed the cardinal sin and found myself down all sorts of rabbits holes with Dr Google!!... it's left me very worried, shit-scared and hyper sensitive to every twinge in my being!!

Despite people trying to reassure me, I have so many questions but nobody to ask.

It would be good to chat with people in a similar situation and even better to talk to people who have lived long and normal lives with similar circumstances 😁❤️

[wattsy1985]

Hi OneMoreRep,

Firstly, I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. Everything you're feeling right now is perfectly normal. If you read through many of the posts here, you'll see that others are either going through the same thought process or have been through it and are now coping better with their thoughts and feelings. its always important to remember on here that everyone's story/condition is slightly different so its never a "one shoe size fits all situation"

It's so easy to turn to Dr. Google for answers, especially since we only get a limited amount of time with health professionals. It can be difficult to remember what you want to ask, and they often speak in a medical language that's hard to understand. However, as you know, Dr. Google carries a lot of opinions, and not all of them are correct or relevant to your situation.

Regarding your Echo Vs MRI results my consultant as always been very clear in that stating that the Echo is never as accurate as the MRI (Even Dr Goggle agrees with him ;-)) , this is for various reasons. so in this case please don't think its suddenly dropped between the two scans.

I suppose the important thing to remember now is that your condition is now being treated which hopefully will start to help to improve your hearts function, I am on the same medications as yourself, I have read many posts stating that either medication as given them some side effects but for myself I haven't faced any issues with them.

Im always happy to chat.

[devonian186]

I wish I could have £5 for everyone that comes on here who have had a perfect diet and often train very hard. Bodybuilding and cycling seeming to be the most common, and often an obsession when people ask if its ok to resume these activities a few weeks after surgery.

Yet -like him or not- you Have Trump who at 78 strolls round a golf course whilst stuffing down great quantities of Burgers and full strength coca cola.

So clearly we do not as yet understand what is going on, other than confident talk that fat is bad-now disputed-and that all exercise is good and that likely genetics are the key.

I would observe that anxiety is a common factor but other than that we all seem to be very different and whilst intensive exercise or a perfect diet might be good for one person, it may not be for another.

Do I understand you still train very hard? Is that wise? Perhaps the type of exercise may need to be adjusted? I don't know if you take protein shakes or other foods and supplements that might not be compatible with your current circumstances

The ECG, if a brief one, often don't catch problems which also often refuse to cooperate with the wearing of a device such as a 24 hour monitor.

I guess you need to push for the results of the CT scan which might reveal more, and might ask about a longer period for a cardiac monitor, although that sort of action may be part of the follow up to the CT scan.

in the meantime try to remain calm as it may well be that as your tests were precautionary that in the end nothing might be amiss when all the results are in.

Presumably you have changed your training regime and any foods or supplements that support your weightlifting regime?