Andersen Family – April 2015 photo courtesy of Still Memories photography
UPDATE 9/15/17: For everyone looking to discuss their Myocardial Bridges, Ben (you’ll recognize him from the comments) has set up a site specifically for this purpose. Join the conversation at the Myocardial Bridge Community forum. Thanks Ben!
Vomiting at a finish line isn’t exactly unheard of. In fact, spectacular displays of bodily fluids are half the fun of watching sports! (Is it just me or is Paula Radcliffe’s popping a squat to drop a load still one of the best sports photography moments ever? Or maybe I’m just gross. Whatever.) Usually it means you’ve pushed yourself to your very limit, pumping out every last bit of effort (and breakfast). But when I “left it all on the field” – technically a parking lot outside my gym – a few months ago, I felt neither proud nor accomplished. I didn’t even have the energy to laugh at myself, which is usually the last respite for people puking on their own running shoes. All I felt was awful. That, and crushing chest pain.
I drove myself home, collapsed on the couch, and when I finally had enough energy to pick up my phone, called my doctor. He told me to come in right away.
Did I mention what grueling workout I’d done that had so undid me? Zumba. ZUMBA. Yes, an hour-long aerobics class (albeit a super fun, hip-swiveling, stripper-squatting dance party of an aerobics class) so exhausted me that I had to lay flat down for two hours afterward, crying with pain. Sadly, this wasn’t the first time it happened. You may recall that I’ve been having weird attacks of chest pain ever since moving to Colorado two years ago.
Usually they start about 15-20 minutes into any type of cardiovascular exercise, like running, kickboxing, circuit training or Zumba. It starts out just feeling tight in my chest. I can still breathe fine and my muscles don’t feel overly fatigued. If I keep going, the tightness will increase into pain and then eventually severe, crushing pain – sometimes to the point where I vomit. Once I stop exercising it can take hours for the pain to go away and I’m exhausted way beyond what one would expect for my fitness level and the activity I was doing. (Ex: Running a 10K knocked me out for six hours afterward.) I’ll often have to sleep it off.
At first my doc thought it was exercise-induced asthma but after three separate inhalers failed to provide relief we moved on to bigger, badder things. I was checked for cracked ribs, symptom-less pneumonia and, for a hot second, pericarditis – an infection in the sac surrounding my heart. Finally, after a year of no good answers I had a stress echocardiogram that involved me sprinting bra-less on a treadmill trying to force my heart to do something funky. (I still hate you, lab techs. I may have tiny boobs but they still bounce!) Which it didn’t do because my body enjoys publicly humiliating me. Actually I think they didn’t let me run long enough to get the chest pains to kick in. But when that didn’t show anything wrong with me, my doctors agreed that the problem was mostly likely in my head. So even though I still had questions – like why did it only hurt when I exercised and why only since I moved to Colorado? – I went along with it because, let’s be honest, I am kind of a hypochondriac.
They sent me away with official permission to ignore the pain and do whatever I wanted. Which was cool since that was pretty much what I do anyhow. I love working out! I love hiking and biking and running and kick-boxing and circus tricks and yoga and Krav Maga and… basically anything that’s not swimming! I didn’t want to give any of that up! But do you know what will really make you hate exercising? Having crushing chest pain any time you try and sustain a high heart rate.
The past year has been like living in a Skinner box. Any time I start to work up a decent sweat, my chest starts to feel tight, I feel nauseated and dizzy. If I push through it and keep going, the chest pain will worsen until I literally cannot stand up anymore. And then there’s the vomit. It’s humiliating. It’s demoralizing. It’s insane (I’m a fitness writer who can’t fitness!). But most of all it just really, really hurts. Unlike the last time I got grounded from exercise, this time I can see the damage being done to my body and I can’t ignore it.
I ran the Bolder Boulder 10K (the world’s largest!) on Memorial Day with my hot husband. I was fine because he made me keep it nice and slow!
So after this last puke-tastic Zumba class I finally decided that “you’re imagining things, go away” wasn’t a good enough answer. And thankfully this time my doctor agreed with me and said maybe there was a small chance I had coronary artery disease and referred me to a cardiologist who specialized in sports (which in hindsight might have been his nice way of saying “you’re imagining things, go away and bother someone else”). After over a month of waiting, I finally met the world-famous doc. He told me that if I had coronary artery disease then he was a singing chipmunk and did some more tests.
It turns out I have a myocardial bridge. Probably*.
This is a condition, present from birth, where one of the arteries goes through the heart muscle instead of over the top of it. So every time the heart contracts, it closes that artery and temporarily deprives the body of oxygen. When I’m at rest, it’s not noticeable because the heart muscle relaxes between beats and allows blood flow to resume. But when I’m taxing my heart, like during intense exercise, the heart can’t catch up and the pinched artery causes a severe lack of oxygen which can lead to myocardial ischemia (where you have pain, fatigue, numbness from lack of oxygen) or acute coronary syndrome (like a mini stroke). In rare cases, according to this one study, it can lead to sudden death.
And that’s about all I know about it because there’s not much literature or research on it. (This article from the Texas Heart Institute is probably the most comprehensive info out there.) According to my doc, it’s pretty common – about 5% of people are born with it – but the vast majority of those people never know they have it and it causes no symptoms, generally because the “bridge” is so shallow. But for some of us the muscle covering the artery is thicker and causes problems. He added that I probably have had mild symptoms from it my whole life but they didn’t cause a problem until I moved to Colorado and living at 6,000 feet above sea level was enough extra strain on my already taxed heart to cause the extra pain. Oh that and he pointed out that I’m getting older, which apparently also strains your heart. (I turned 37 last week! That’s not that old, right??)
The treatment for a myocardial bridge is almost as elusive. Apparently there is a surgery they can do but he told me that no responsible surgeon would do it on me because it’s open heart surgery and they only do that on the most severe cases. As long as it’s only bothering me during intense exercise he told me to count my blessings and avoid intense exercise. He also said if it worsens in the future they can put me on blood pressure meds like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers – an option I didn’t want to pursue right now as my blood pressure is already ridiculously low (I’m a fainter!) and lowering it further would create a whole new set of problems.
So I walked out of his office with a prescription to keep my heart rate low (under 145 ish). That means no more running, kickboxing, martial arts, spin class or most of my other favorite activities. For the rest of my life.
I cried. A lot. Not gonna lie. While it was a relief to know what was the deal is – and it really does explain all my symptoms – it means that a huge part of my life and my personality is gone from me. Then I gained 12 pounds in two weeks. I don’t know if it was me eating my feelings or what but now I have tight pants to deal with on top of everything else. (I’m trying to be gentle with myself on that front. For my birthday I went shopping and bought two new pairs of jeans so at least I could breathe while I figure this all out.)
But then I got over myself. For all the things I “can’t” do, there are way more that I can. I can lift weights, dance (lightly), walk, play with my kids, ice skate and (probably) do circus tricks. Hiking, one of my all-time loves, is still open to me. And living in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains gives me plenty of opportunities to do it!
We took the kiddos hiking in Estes Park over the 4th of July holiday and it was so gorgeous it felt other-worldly.
You can’t see what my t-shirt says but I it’s a picture of a film camera (like the kind from the 80’s). The caption says “And that’s when I snapped” which I thought was funny enough at the thrift store to buy it as a workout shirt but the real humor ended up being having to explain over and over again to every child in a 1-mile radius what this “camera” was, why it didn’t look like a phone and what “film” is. Maybe 37 really is that old…
And as far as disabilities go, my heart thing is pretty minor. Lots of people deal with chronic injury, illness or other problems that are way more life-impacting and still manage to lead healthy, happy, balanced lives. So I can’t run anymore. Big deal. I’ll be fine. Yeah it stings a little to hear friends talk about their next big race and how they’re hoping to PR or how amazing their Spartan team and know that I can’t join them. But that’s a small thing in the grand scheme of life. Plus, perhaps this will help me make fitness a more balanced part of my life instead of the over-arching theme of it.
So why am I posting this now? First, it’s been almost a year since I updated this blog. You may recall that I gave up daily posting because my first job (raising my cute kiddos) and my second, paying, job (writing for Shape, Reader’s Digest, Women’s Health, Redbook etc.) made this blog too much to keep up. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t missed you all so much! And all the little notes you guys have been sending me have seriously made my day!! I love that you still remember me and care what happens to me. So I did want to give you an update. Other than this health thing, my life is going amazingly well. The kids are growing up to be happy, healthy, interesting and incredibly hilarious little people that make me smile every day. I’m so glad I am here for all the moments. And professionally things are going well too. I’ve got more freelance work than I can handle.
Second, I’m posting this because I’ve been super frustrated with the lack of information about myocardial bridges so I’m hoping that this will get high enough in the Google-verse that medical professionals and other sufferers can share their experiences with this too! The only case study I found online was a 40-ish man who was super into fitness and who DIED of his myocardial bridge. It freaked me out. So I’m posting this to let other people know that at least this girl is still alive and doing great:)
So now I’m asking you guys: I know many of you have a chronic condition that you have to deal with – how do you plan a workout that accommodates that? Mentally, how do you deal? I’d love to hear all your stories too and learn from you! (Or just give me an update on how YOU are doing! I want to hear everything!!) Also, ANY information about myocardial bridges is much appreciated!!!
*The “probably” is because he said he was “95 % sure” that was the problem. Maybe there’s no such thing as 100% sure in medicine?
Interesting! I get chest pain when I work out hard or go into a workout exhausted too. It doesn’t happen often, but it hurts and is kind of scary when I do. It usually happens during speed work when I run. Anyway, I too tried an inhaler with no success. I’ve not seen a cardiologist about it, because mine seems to be far more minimal (or I just live at sea level) but this is all so fascinating.
Thank you Amy! I keep thinking that if myocardial bridges are so common I can’t be the only fit girl struggling with this!! Let me know if you figure out your chest pains (and I hope you do – it can be so demoralizing to have a great workout cut short by pain!).
Thanks for sharing! I don’t have a chronic issue but need to make major changes. Had blood work done and results were shocking. My mother had heart issues. I had a wake up call. Just got a MIO Fuse activity tracker to help me have daily reminders of being on the healthy track!
Best to you!
Kris
Thanks Kris! Good luck with getting your blood work back where you want it – sounds like you’re on the right track! I’ll have to check out the MIO:)
It’s great to see you writing here again! Unfortunately, I have nothing to share on the subject of myocardial bridges, but I wanted to say that I am glad you are doing well otherwise. Hopefully some other readers may be able to chime in with helpful information and related experiences. Best of luck!
Thank you Amy! I appreciate the support!!
I have arthritis. I’ve learned from injuries and pain that lifting in the 15+ rep range does not work for me and the repetitive motion ends up hurting the joints. So I adjust to lower reps. Some days I’m lucky if I do 5. I’m also learning to embrace the pool; nothing hurts in the pool.
And, as a result of a damaged tendon when I got my hip replaced, I cannot run, jog or anything that requires me to quickly and repetitively lift up my one leg. I cringe when the unknowing say “if you can walk then you can run.” – uhm, NO. And, again, I do what I can. I dance -and take pain meds the next day. I walk. I climb trees. Someday I’ll try MAS wrestling.
You can do so much… the important thing is NOT to focus on what you cannot do, but on what you can. And explore all the different ways you can live healthy.
This is exactly what I needed to hear Deb – thank you! You’re so right about focusing on the can and not the can’t. Also, love your admonition about forgiving your body – I need to think on that one more. I have a long history of seeing my body as my enemy, something I’m constantly trying to fight or control:/ So glad you have figured out how to trust yourself and work with your arthritis!
I’m so sorry to hear about your heart condition! But you have no idea, how ecstatic I got when I noticed a new post from you! And you look amazing!
(I’m also turning 37 this summer, and, girl, we’re rookies. No one over 40 takes anyone below 40 seriously, we still have so much to prove!)
Aw thank you Diana – you know how to make a girl feel good!!
Well, I’m no help with the advice, but I know people who know people if you end up wanting or needing more.
xoxoox
Thank you for the love and the offer of help!
Aaah I was so excited to see a new blog post from you that I clicked the link before I read the title or blurb from your Facebook post. Then my excitement crashed when I read that you’re having a health issue. Wow, this kind of news can be really world-changing, and I’m sorry you’re dealing with it. My significant other was an athlete his entire life, and over the past couple of years has been dealing with chronic back problems, that have basically taken away the sport that has always been a major part of his identity. It’s been rough, but picking up new hobbies that he didn’t make time for before has been helpful, and he hopes to coach at some point in the future . . . something to still use his accumulated insights without damaging his body more. Seems like channeling energy/passion is key, because leaving it pent up is not sustainable. I’m glad you can still get out and hike and do gentle things, though. Maybe something like Pilates would ease the transition? Keep us updated, so sorry to hear about this but I have confidence that you’ll find a new balance . . .
I’m so sorry to hear about your SO’s injuries – I hear that back problems are the WORST to deal with. But how cool that he’s using it as an opportunity to evolve rather than an excuse to decline! And thanks for the Pilates suggestion – I have enjoyed doing that in the past!!
As soon as you mentioned you didn’t have symptoms until you moved to CO I was like… elevation!!!! When we visit CO (we love it there!) the elevation REALLY kicks my ass. I can totally see how you may have not experienced problems until you weren’t at sea level.
I am so sorry you were diagnosed with this and I am sorry there is not much info on it. I am also sorry the docs can’t say you 100% have it! I have been struggling with an injury for 2 years and every single doctor I see tells me it’s something different. I have had a surgery I didn’t even NEED! I have learned to become VERY skeptical of doctors… I don’t know if that is good or bad. So I guess the reason I am telling you this is that if you think there is a chance your problem could be something else, or you know there is a doctor out there that can give you more information, don’t stop looking.
I am also sorry you can’t run. While it is WONDERFUL that there are many other awesome things you can do, from one runner to another, I get how running is just DIFFERENT. I have no doubt that you are going to be able to stay in shape through hiking, walking, and weight training, but running is an enjoyment thing too. Maybe you could try doing walk/runs? I am doing them now because of my injury. It sure is a blow to my ego, BUT I am actually learning to enjoy my walk runs because I feel fine afterwards. If I straight up run, my knee pulsates the rest of the day. And in this summer heat, it is nice to not have to be a hero and instead get in a more manageable workout!
I hope you find more answers, Charlotte! Thank you for keeping us posted. I am your facebook friend so I see your funny pictures and kid stories. 🙂
Oh Megan,I’m so sorry that you can’t get any answers for what’s going on with you but thank you for the reminder to keep looking, keep asking questions, keep researching. Yeah, the “95%” thing worries me a bit. I really hope you get some answers soon! And thank you for this: “It sure is a blow to my ego, BUT I am actually learning to enjoy my walk runs because I feel fine afterwards. If I straight up run, my knee pulsates the rest of the day. And in this summer heat, it is nice to not have to be a hero and instead get in a more manageable workout!” Now, if only we could be run/walk buddies!
I was so excited to see this post from you! And so sorry to hear you’re dealing with this 🙁 Definitely take time to mourn this loss. That’s totally understandable. Just because you’ve got tons of other awesome things in your life doesn’t mean it’s not rough.
That said, omg, your kids are looking so big! And you look great. I can’t believe it’s been a year. If you’re thinking about posting a little more frequently again, may I suggest a blog post on getting back into a fitness routine post-baby? (I had a baby! She’s 2 months old! But nothing fits me and 20 mins on an elliptical is killing me and my ab muscles feel like they’ve been replaced by Jello, sigh.)
First: HUGE CONGRATS mama on the new baby! That’s such a huge change and the body is only a part of it. I’ll definitely add that to my list of possible blog topics – I know lots of women worry about that and it was definitely a challenge for me too. (But the baby is so worth it! Promise!) Thank you for the permission to mourn – I think I needed to hear that:) I keep telling myself to buck up and stop whining but it’s ok to be sad sometimes too. And yes, I can’t believe how big my kids are getting either and I see them every day!
Aw Charlotte! I know it is hard to get a diagnosis like that and be told there is nothing you can do but live with it. I was diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease which is not life threatening, but I have hearing loss that is just going to keep getting worse as the years go by. It was really upsetting, and it all honesty it can still hit me hard at times.
But, you count your blessings, right? I think you have lots of them, and it is better to know so that you can go on living your life and being there for your family.
And then there was the time that I fell down the stairs and banged up my ankle, and probably I should have taken it more seriously at the time because that was 10 months ago and it honestly still doesn’t feel quite right. Life is just too interesting sometimes. 🙂
Yes, I’m definitely very blessed and you’re so right about focusing on those things. I’m so sorry about your Meniere’s, that would be devastating. I’m so impressed with how you’re handling it! And I do hope your ankle gets better!
So sorry you are dealing with this and I hope you are able to find answers and information about your condition. But I have to say I was SO excited to see you pop up in my Feedly feed today! Your blog was one of the first I ever read and will always be a favorite. I miss your frequent posting but it was great to get an update, and I’m glad that your family and work life are doing well.
Oh thank you Kendra! I have missed you all so much and your kind words really mean a lot to me!
I was so excited when I saw a new post from you on my feed, but saddened by the news of your heart condition. I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, though I am happy you finally do have a diagnosis.
I have PCOS, and it took about five years to be properly diagnosed with it. When I left the doctor’s office with my diagnosis, I had this strange feeling of both sadness and relief. It was definitely stressful to know something was wrong with me but to not know what it was!
Thank you Jennifer! And so interesting you bring up PCOS – for as common as it is, I’m always aghast that it takes women so long to get an accurate diagnosis. So glad you finally got your answer, even if it wasn’t the one you wanted. I know that strange feeling!
Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry you have to deal with that. At least you’ve got a way to keep it in check. I’m happy to see an update from you (though it’s nice to see ya on Facebook as well :D).
While you may not be able to go after PRs anymore, I know my easy easy runs are under 145 HR. Maybe someday you might carefully be able to work back to running or run/walking? 🙂
That’s what I’ve been wondering actually – I know that if you train low, your body becomes more efficient at those speeds. So eventually maybe I could do stuff again? I guess time will tell!
Yes, exactly! I know some runners that do some of their easy runs in the 120-130 range. As you practice running or run/walking at a lower heart rate, you’ll be able to do more. When I first started at it in 2013, to keep my HR below 150 I had to run/walk at 13:00/mile+. Now, some good days my 10-11:00 mile runs are under 150 average. I had a particularly unmotivated marathon where my HR I believe was 153 average (succumbed to leg soreness – definitely didn’t overtax my cardio…).
You might check out the Maffetone method – I don’t know that much about it but I have a book in queue to read about it and I know it’s all about low HR training.
I mean, obviously be careful and all that – but running may not be completely out with some work.
You may want to check out blogger Miss Zippy. She is a runner that has been doing her training by monitoring her heart rate. Hopefully that sentence makes sense!
Just wanted to say I was so happy to hear from you! You’re so funny and real and I was so happy to hear that you and your family are doing well. I did a double take when I say you in my reader list.
And also I’m sorry to hear about your heart condition. That must have been heartbreaking! I am glad you found a way through it. Glad to hear from you!
Oh thank you Alexa! I have missed you guys so much – this means a lot to me:)
Charlotte! What are the odds that I would check back with you TODAY, after several months of not looking?! So sorry to hear about your heart issues; I would’ve cried too. (Although weight-lifting is my first love, so that would help me.)
I have chronic and mostly undiagnosed hip issues ever since pregnancy, but they don’t slow me down too much. I also recently developed knee pain when I squat heavy– pretty sure I’m doing it wrong. If I had money I’d go get a trainer; as it is I’m just squatting lighter. Sigh…
Anyway, lovely to hear from you, though I wish it was better news. Don’t forget your fans over here!
Aw thank you Susanna! I have missed you guys SO MUCH. As to your hip pain, have you ever been checked for SI joint (sacroilliac) dysfunction? I did a really long (and really well researched) article on that a couple of years ago and was surprised by how common it is in women after childbirth. And it often does manifest in all sorts of weird pains in the knees, back and even neck and feet as when the pelvic region is destabilized it effects the whole body. Anyhow, there are some exercises you can do to help fix that. Either way though I hope you get it figured out!
So glad to see a post from you but sorry to hear this news. I have fibromyalgia AND idiopathic peripheral neuropathy (I’m just lucky like that), so I have to make a LOT of adjustments. With the fibro I have to start Very. Slowly. with anything new. I started swimming about a month ago, just once a week, and the first time I did just 3 25-meter laps and was absolutely trembling with pain for the next 2 days – but I’ve been able to increase a little bit each week and it hasn’t been that bad again. Weights have been very hard to get going on for the same reason – I have to start ridiculously light and with very few reps. I’m planning to meet with a trainer soon to help me get going on that again. The neuropathy makes my feet just kill me if I’m on them for too long, and so we limit our hikes (I live in the Salt Lake City area) to 3-4 miles max, and I have to avoid standing if I also want to be able to walk for exercise.
I’m 46 and I’ve been a pretty avid exerciser for about 20 years but the neuropathy really got me down for a while, and I’ve been struggling to get back to moving more.
Oh Sarah, I’m so sorry to hear about your health struggles! But I’m so proud of you for figuring a way to work with your body, no matter what state it’s in. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me – love your reminder to take it slow.
Yay Charlotte! So exciting to see a post from you today! Okay – I know everyone else said that, but still its true!
I hurt my back 3, no wait, 4 years ago (I don’t know where time goes) moving a pile of dirt after a day of landscaping. Bad Idea. And while my goal has always been no surgery, its hard to stay active when you have pain. But really my biggest hurdle has been fear. I’ve been afraid to run, or walk, or crawl, or you name it. And lifting? No no no, surely those weights will rise up and be the end of my existence.
However, something in the last few months have clicked for me. Was it the fact that I hurt all over from being sedentary? or the weight I’d gained (some not a lot)? Or just the moment of “Duh, fear is never the answer”. Who knows. But I’ve tried running in the last month. (i’m afraid, but I’m doing it), I even lifted a weight the other day. 5 pounds, but still a weight. Baby steps.
So please, whatever you do as you sort this out, don’t lead with fear. My journey to better health is longer because my fear held me back. I can only tell you to embrace who you are and what you love and find different ways to get your fitness on. There isn’t a silly bridge in the world that you couldn’t cross if you didn’t want to. Myocardial or otherwise!
Hugs to you!
SUCH a good point about not letting the fear control me. Because you’re right – this has introduced an element of fear that I haven’t had before. I’ve been trying to tell myself it’s not a big deal and I’m not worried but I am kinda scared. But I can still be afraid and keep living my life at the same time. I’m so sorry to hear about your back but I love what you’ve learned from it!
First of all, I AM SO GLAD TO SEE A POST FROM YOU! I am happy that you found out the cause of your pain and that you have come to the acceptance side of things! May I just say that T-Tapp just might fit your bill?!?
I don’t have a chronic condition per se. I do have anti nuclear antibodies for scleroderma (NOT capitalizing it) on board but not much in the way of symptoms. Should they ever begin to show up, I will continue to T-Tapp as long as I can move body parts because it is adaptable.
Oh I’d completely forgotten about T-Tapp! You’re right, now would be the perfect time to look back into it again! So glad it’s helping you keep your symptoms away:)
I would LOVE to know if you do and what you think this time!
So happy to see your post in my feed reader!
Sorry about your heart . . .
Aw thank you Melodee!
Thanks for the update!
I rarely go to doctors but, when I do, I’m often sent away with a pat on the head. So I rarely go to doctors.
“Heart attacks” (not actual ones) run in my family – sudden, sometimes breathtaking spasms in the chest. Seem to be hormone related, but one male cousin also has them. Totally unresponsive to the stress test (which I had to do WHILE LACTATING! because the attacks got so severe after my first child was born that I was afraid). So, not your situation, but I can sorta relate.
I did want to say that while remembering that other people have unusual limitations *can* be helpful, you are totally entitled to mourn the loss of your lifestyle and self-perception as a runner. And remember that mental stress will set off a hormone cascade that leads to weight gain.
*Hugs*
You had to do the stress echo while lactating?! That is INSANE. You have all my sympathy, girl. Your chest spasms sound awful:( And thank you for the permission to mourn – I needed to hear that! Working on cutting down the mental stress now…
I am so happy to hear from you; although, I am sorry to hear that things have been tough. Like Amy, I have nothing to really add, just that I appreciate your openness always, and I’m happy to hear an update. I have missed your posts, but I understand that sometimes writing can be hard when something comes up that is challenging and life changing.
Thank you!!
I am so sad to hear your news! I can only imagine the emotions you are going through. I hope you can find more info and a good plan going forward. I know you are strong and determined so have no doubt you will find that balance that works for you. Focusing on what you can do is so key (not saying it’s easy, though). I won’t pretend I had any diagnosis as serious as this but as I have gotten older and dealt w/ different issues I have had to completely modify my workouts. Even though I have had to put my ego aside and find new ways of working out, it actually has been a blessing in disguise. I am much more balanced and rational about what I do each day. Not only have I incorporated things I never did in the past (lots of weight lifting, some yoga, more swimming) but I have also focused on non workout activities that I enjoy (mostly working on my art projects). Keep your chin up and keep searching! You will find your happy. P.S. I live in Colorado, too (Loveland).
Love your observation that your issues have been a blessing in disguise. I’ve never been great at balance in my life so maybe this is an opportunity to be more well rounded! And yaya for a fellow Coloradoan! I love Loveland:)
Charlotte, you are right.
There is so much to be grateful for – especially that you caught this in time<— Exclamation point. Way to attitude!
Maybe now you can be an attitude writer, too!
But seriously, I have no doubt that God will weave some wonders out of this whole debacle.
How exciting it will be to watch them unfold!
Aw thank you Missy! And I agree – God is amazing in turning weakness into strength!
So happy to see this post!! Not so happy to hear about your heart, I’m very sorry to hear that. Sounds like you’ve been able to turn this around and look on the bright side. 🙂
Thank you Erin!
I was so excited to see you had a post, but then so sorry to hear your news 🙁
On the bright side, I am a VERY slow hiker, so perhaps we could go for a hike sometime and it wouldn’t get your heart rate up? Let me know if you’d ever like to meet up!
Aw that would be awesome! And then I wouldn’t feel bad, like I was holding you up! Hope you are all settled in to your new home!
what a wonderful attitude you have. As usual. I can’t offer any advice but like Carla, i know people who know people if you need more info.
Your children sound delightful.
Thank you Marsha – you are so sweet!
Hugs to you! I have been dealing with am injury for the last two years and it is so frustrating! I was so excited to see a new post 🙂 until I read it… the Cleveland Clinic has a great heart program and may offer some information for you – I was a heart nurse for five years – but it has been a while. Their site was one of my favorite to get information from for patient education.
Just a thought – is your hemoglobin within normal limits? is it worse when you cycle? Food for thought anyway Wishing you the best and will keep you in my thoughts
A
Thank you for the tip Andrea – I’ll go check out the Cleveland Clinic! And how cool that you were a heart nurse!! My hemoglobin was fine last time they checked, I think. They didn’t mention it but I’ll go look it up again. I hope your injury is on the road to recovery asap!
Hi Charlotte – you may not remember me, but my mom, Sherrie Rasmussen was in your ward (just barely moved in with me in DC last week) and I spent the summer in Denver with my twin daughters a couple of years back (and came to an activity days at your home). One of my daughters is a congenital heart disease patient (single ventricle and a few other highly complex defects) and we are very active in advocacy with both the Pediatric and the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA or achaheart.org). ACHA is probably one of the best resources to connect you with someone with your diagnosis (something they do regularly) and also help you find an adult congenital heart cardiologist near you. I’m happy to chat or connect you with others if you would like. You can find me on Facebook and PM me. Best of luck with your new diagnosis.
I’m so sorry for you (
And at the same time you seem to be so cheerful, you doing well !
Oh My Gosh Girl! I hope you are feeling better, and hopefully they make it more of a focus in terms of medical research. My prayers will be with you. Your great and your content is wonderful as well just keep on doing your thing!
Check internethealth.org for the best weight loss reviews and articles
The 3 Week Diet is an extreme rapid weight loss program that can help you lose up to 23 pounds of pure body fat in just 3 weeks!
internethealth.org/2015/07/11/how-i-lost-fat-fast-in-3-weeks-with-this-weight-loss-diet
Sorry to be so late to the party, but wow, such a hard thing for you to have to cope with! I totally love your positive attitude and the way you’ve focused on the “cans” and not the “can’ts”.
Due to some weird back thing that I’ve had for a year (doctors, PT’s, Chiro’s etc to no avail) I can’t seem to run or jump or do certain strength training moves anymore, and it’s driving me NUTS. But at least I can do intense stuff on the elliptical, so it’s nowhere near as restrictive as your issues. I do hope that eventually the doctors get a better grip on what’s going on with you and how to fix it, but in the meantime, it’s great to hear how well you are adjusting and to see how happy you and your family look.
Thanks SO much for posting, we miss you!
Hi Charlotte, I also have myocardial bridging. I gotta know it last year when I admitted to hospital due to sever shortness of breath. I did coronary angiogram last year and this year. It produces a lot of symptoms. Shortness of breath, chest pain and palpitation are very common. I went to ER and admitted hospital many times since last year.
By the way, how many % of blockage do you have during the systolic phase? That’s quite important and also the length of the bridge. I read a lot of article online.
Have you heard of EECP before? I heard that EECP can help a lot. It is also very safe.
Eeek! Even though you popped in to say something not so great, I am SO HAPPY to hear from you! I can’t tell you many times I’ve thought of you recently and thought that I should come over here and say “I miss you and still think of you,” but then I’d keep forgetting. Luckily I was researching something else and an article of yours came up, and it brought me here.
Anyway, sounds like you’re handling things well and all-in-all taking this in stride. Albeit a slow, meandering stride, ha.
Glad you’re well!
All of my chronic conditions that affect fitness are muscular-skeletal and several are self-induced (mostly from trying to keep up with the guys weight lifting).
I did what you are doing: modified my routines. Dropped what causes me excruciating pain and pep talk myself as needed. Self-pity is not an option.
I have one shoulder in desperate need of surgery, but I can’t even afford my deductible, let alone take off from from my job(s), so I have to maneuver very gingerly around it.
We won’t talk about the old thing (you young whippersnapper) as I am dealing with sciatica and scoliosis, too. Age happens. Its not for wimps. Working out (sanely) makes it easier.
This is a great post, I am glad you are not doing things that could lead to your sudden demise and know this blog has touched and helped a lot of people, me included.
Stay strong chicky!
Hello I have just been diagnosed with myocardial bridge and found your blog looking for some sort of hope and what to expect with living with this heart defect. Your right theres not much info about this and yup the thought I could keel over and die from this freaks me out. I am 36 and have two children (4yrs son 11mos daughter) and since having them I cannot tolerate any form of cardio exercise anymore. Passing out extreme fatigue and shortness of breath have always been with me since I can remember..also the need to sleep to recover from an exhausting event was always overwhelming and necessary. I recently had an almost blackout episode just from going down the swirly slide at the park with my daughter. So I made an appt to get it checked out..after a stress test, which showed red flags like I had a heart blockage, then an angiogram 4 days later is how I was diagnosed with myocardial bridge. It completely makes sense now all my symptoms since I was a kid. I feel like I’m grieving for my active and athletic lifestyle that I love also. I’ve always wanted to do the boulder boulder but this news makes me sad that now I definitely can’t. I hope to one day feel better about all of this…I know others have out far worse than I.
Zoiks! Don’t know how I missed this!
I’m so sorry ti hear this!
Heart issues are tricky. My grandmother had angina, and my dad had issues as well. I’ve got to get to a doctor at some point for a checkup on my ticker, as I have some funky things going on.
You are definitely not alone!
Sending tons of love from California. XOXOXOXOXOXOX
I’m so sorry to hear about your heart condition. Hopefully since July you have had time to process it and find enjoyment in less intense activities? As soon as you mentioned it happening in Colorado I thought the elevation might be part of the problem.
I also got ridiculously excited to see that you were blogging again, even though it’s only one post…
I was diagnosed with PCOS last year. And while it doesn’t affect my ability to exercise, it means it’s going to be much harder for me to have children. And it also changed my perception of myself since the symptoms include glamorous things such as weight gain, hair loss and excess body and facial hair… But once I got passed the shock, getting treated has made a huge difference and acceptance has taken place. All the best to you and your family
Hi Charlotte, I have been recently been diagnosed with Myocardial Bridge also. I am super nervous about this whole thing. Doc makes it sound like you can live your life as you used too but I don’t think so. Glad you gave me some insite to your limitations.
Hi Charlotte. I’m so glad I ran across your blog. I was just diagnosed with a myocardial bridge, diagnosed through a heart cath. I was told the main artery to my heart was blocked, so the diagnosed was actually a relief. But now I’m on beta blockers and since I have naturally low blood pressure we’ll see how that goes. My cardiologist is wonderful, so feeling like I’m being well cared for is so important. Make sure your doctor gives you that same sense. I used to be a dancer and for now, I can walk the dog. It’s a bit of an adjustment, but you’re so right when you say that there are worse things to deal with. My son has a disease that gets very little attention and is much more debilitating. Watching what he goes through gives me a lot of perspective. I guess the best approach is offering bridges of support to others and hoping together, we can all carry on with as much grace and joy in our lives, as possible. Wish you and your readers all the best 🙂
Hello.
I was just diagnosed with a myocardial bridge via heart cath. I have shortness of breath with minimal exertion as well as chest pain, and fatigue. I was told my myocardial bridge causes a significant breech to my left descending artery. Cardiologist said the bridge can not be causing my symptoms, and well that is where I have been left. I struggle to get through my work day and then crash when I get home. My life style has changed tremendously as I have always been active, and now at age 44 I have to pick and choose my activities. I can tolerate slow walks, no brisk walking or any activity that increases my heart rate. Stairs are horrible. I have been in and out of the emergency room several times with what seemed to be heart attack symptoms. Difficult to accept these limitations. I do hope this blog helps increase awareness and information.
Hey, your site is really lovely. You are beautiful (as is your family) and funny.
Please take what I say carefully -but I’ve had disordered eating (atypical anorexia) in my past, kinda similar to you, I’ve also had exercise addiction, and I’ve also had heart pain similar to you in my late 20s.
I saw so many doctors, and had so many tests, and none of them could figure out what was wrong. Especially since I was so “thin” and seemed “in shape” they told me to keep doing what I was doing (and I think they thought it was all in my head, like your cardiologist).
Somehow, I found this site called YourEatopia and I realized I had restored weight after my ED but not reversed the damage!
Imagine my surprised that when you starve (or create deficits in calories via exercise), our body will search for the energy wherever it can, even cannibalizing the fatty myelin sheath around our nerves which can lead to heart abnormalities (that sometimes will show up on an EKG or ECG but often not, and wearing a 48 hour or 72 hour holter monitor (with someone super skilled in reading the QT intervals) is often necessary… but even then you have to be careful and need someone specialized in Eating Disorders to read things and keep track of you.
I had a heart rate of 55 bpm and I thought I was super healthy and fit…except for the chest pain which sounds so similar to what you describe. and the fatigue. like, I swear we could be twins.
I learned from the site YourEatopia about how the heart pain I was feeling was something likely called intercostal neuralgia – nerve damage, between the ribs and it feels like heart pain SO MUCH. It happens because your body cannibalized the fat around the nerves to your heart.
The intercostal neuralgia is actually completely reversible with adequate rest and calories (which drives ED-people crazy as we hate hate hate to be still and rest and/or gain weight until our body forces us to rest)
You might have to gain weight, which, again drives ED-people crazy.
If your cardiologist isn’t specialized in eating disorders, it’s likely not something he would consider, but with your history of EDs and exercise addiction and trying different diets (I was low-fat, vegan, paleo over the years), perhaps it’s something to consider that your body has not repaired the damage from your restriction with doubly-labeled water amounts of food equivalent to what women without EDs actually eat (I was shocked what doubly-labeled water showed most women eat on average)
Anyway, I hope that your pain clears up, whatever it is. Best to you.
MP
Hi Charlotte,
Just a suggestion. Since so many people are having this problem, why don’t people gather and post some valuable information and research on how to improve or solve this issue. I guess there are ways to improve the condition. Last time, we used to be healthy and without this issue even the myocardial bridging was already there. Charlotte can even exercise intensely last time.
The key is that, how are we going to restore our health like previously? There may have some triggers. I thought about it. The symptoms mostly occurred after an episode. It then got worse over time. Other than medication, there maybe supplements that can improve it back and reverse the condition.
Just my thought.
Thanks.
Oh wow, so sorry to hear about your heart condition. I cannot relate personally, but my sister has heart problems due from complications during her last pregnancy from Lupus. It is quite a devastating condition that almost took her life after giving birth. Like your condition, there is so little research out there on Lupus.
Thank you! Thanks for writing about your bridge and experience. I was just recently diagnosed with two myocardial bridges (one is severe like yours sounds the other is just “annoying”) plus a blockage in my artery caused by my bridge. Your symptoms and how you experience them sound *very much* like mine.
I am/was active and discovered my bridge, much like you did yours, at altitude while doing something (a hike) that should have been nothing to me.
The surgery to “un-roof” my bridge(s) is an option for me. Because of both the severity of the big one (100% blockage during heartbeats) and the blockage in my artery that it is causing. But, it is not something clear cut.
I would really like to talk with you more about your experiences living with this thing (only been a few weeks where I have “known” about it).
Minimally many thanks again for putting this out there for the Great Google in the Sky to find.
Best. –Scott
Hi Scott,
Have you ever thought why your symptoms starts to occur only after an episode or after certain incident? Why there isn’t any symptoms before that? I always think this logic as because most of the symptoms occurred after an episode. The MB (Myocardial Bridging) has been there since birth. I guess there must be something in the body or heart that has impaired. Maybe the endothelial function had been impaired. Therefore, the MB has an effect. If there are ways to restore the weaken part, then there maybe hope to restore back the health as previously. Just my thought.
David,
Thanks for the thoughts. I have had a bunch of tests at this point (they love tests in hospitals) and my issues are caused by the combination of the bridge and the blockage (which blocks 60% of the blood flow).
I understand that the tests show that the blockage is not really affecting me as much as the bridge. Or, stated differently, either one of the problems by themselves are not enough to cause the symptoms but working together they do. The big problem in my case is that the bridge probably caused the blockage and they can’t treat / clear the blockage because of the bridge. The bridge will just cause the “fix” for the blockage to fail and/or just recreate it again.
So that is what makes me a borderline candidate for the surgery. Fix the bridge so that we can fix the blockage. Apparently I am borderline because they, as Charlotte points out, only fix bridges when “quality of life is significantly impaired” and I am not at that point yet. However, it is very likely I will be as the blockage will just keep growing so long as the bridge is there.
In my Googling around the web I until I found this posting I had not found another person with a bridge whom was not debilitated completely by the symptoms. Not sure why but it was really uplifting for me to find that I am not alone in this “tweener land”. Symptomatic but not sick enough to clearly qualify for surgery. (Not all the Dr. at my hospital think I should do surgery.)
So I do think that if I fix the bridge + blockage I will be 100% again and that is pretty tempting. (Since either of those conditions, if they get severe enough, could kill me).
Best,
—-Scott
Hi Scott,
Unroofing surgery is not without risk. You need to consider properly. Did you google on whether any alternative or supplements that can help? As for me, I am trying other alternatives as well as taking medication. Actually most of the medications carry side effect. Are you on medications now?
Yes. Taking Beta blockers, aspirin, and statin. Still adjusting the the beta blockers but it is going okay. (No need for calcium drugs as I don’t have arrhythmia problems at this point)
Hi Scott,
Have you heard of EECP? I don’t know whether it is helpful or not. I maybe trying that in the near future. Maybe, you can check it out. Thanks.
Wow, many thanks for posting this information on your condition. I have a buddy who is suffering from the same condition but continues to push himself with the outdoor activities and the gym. We try to slow him down but he’s a stubborn mule.
It really scares me but he’s determined to continue to live without restrictions.
Unfortunately I can not give any advice.
His determination to solve this problem is inspiring for all of us. You keep cheerful and giving attention to your readers, thank you
I came across your blog when I did a search for “can mycardial bridge cause chest pain.” I was recently diagnosed with a mycardial bridge last year after passing out a few times. They did a cath to find it. I also was diagnosed with SVT, a leaky valve and a heart murmur, lovely. I am also a crazy fitness person, but only concentrating on yoga and rollerblading (20 years now). I have had a two snycopes, where I blacked out and could not move or speak. My heart rate goes to 150 in less than five minutes, and hits 185 in 10 minutes. I can no longer do hot yoga as having the paramedics at the gym is inconvenient to say the least! LOL! It sucks. I have to take beta-blockers. I started having symptoms about three years ago, and now I am 45. The heart muscle thickens with age. I understand how you feel. It’s a big let down and it can be very depressing when an organ controls you, a really important organ, one you don’t want to mess around with. My father has had a triple by-pass and 15 stents. The right side of his heart pretty much doesn’t work anymore, but the good news is it is actually repairing “itself.” They won’t do heart surgery on him anymore, because his heart is too weak. Lately, I’ve been having chest pain, and wondered “is it my heart? or is it indigestion?” I’ve also been having episodes where my heart just speeds up for no good reason, usually at night when I’m trying to sleep, and I’m up until 4:00 am until it decides to sleep too. Have an appointment with my cardiologist on the 20th. He’s super talented. Invented stents that saves limbs, own a hospital here and three in Poland. So I feel like I’m in good hands, except I’m sure you understand that unknown feeling of “I wonder if I’ll just drop dead one day.” Looks like you have a great support system as I do too with my husband and kids. I have never met anyone else with a bridge, so it’s nice to meet you!
Hi Michelle,
You mentioned that you still encounter racing heart beat despite taking beta blocker recently. Actually, myocardial bridging is really bothersome. I just admitted hospital 2 days ago and was discharged yesterday. I have admitted to hospital many times this year.
Since your cardiologist is so talented, do you mind to ask him whether is there any long term solution for this matter? Does EECP helps? It maybe another hope.
Life is really tough with this disease. I am trying hard to find a long term solution on this matter.
Thanks.
I am so sorry to hear your bad news, I hope you will overcome the condition, it is good when you come back posting.
thanks for this post.. i just found out that i have myocardial bridge too.. i was wondering why the sudden pain if we have it since birth.. my cardiologist said that maybe i got tuned in to someone else’s chest pain thus making me aware of my own which doesn’t seem right.. can someone help me clear it up? really appreciate it as her answer confuses me.. its like she’s saying i’m thinking of other people’s pain thus making my own chest hurts..
Hi Hazel,
I got the same problem as your. And I thought why the pain occurred only after the first episode. Actually, it is not. If you think back, say few years ago, you may have minor pain. I did have minor pain few years ago. However, it seems to get worst. I guess there must have been something wrong. There are quite a number of possibilities.
But, I think it is good to focus on the long term solution. I do not know whether EECP helps or not. I am going to check with my cardiologist. Why don’t you also check it out? Thanks.
Hi David.. Thank you so much for the message.. My cardiologist prescribe me diltiazem to help ease the pain.. I’m going to look up eecp and consider it as well.. Good luck and keep us posted..
Hi Hazel,
I tried diltiazem before. It helps a little bit. I am now on Nebivolol, Vastarel MR, Aspirin, Statin, and Norvasc. However, this is not a long term solution. I still got chest pain and even admitted to hospital 2 weeks ago. Went to ER many times. I am seriously looking into EECP for long term solution.
Anyone here consider for surgery? I think the risk is not low.
Hey,
I have bridging as well. I’m 32. Doctors were able to find this after my second heath cath. I’m also a nurse and love to run. One of the times I had a lot of trouble was while I was in Colorado skiing. Anyways thanks for the share. I was researching this today after having some more chest pain after a nice run on the treadmill. I’m also on metoprolol, a beta blocker and Norvasc, a calcium channel blocker. It really helps. Anyways good luck, let me know if I can help you with any questions you may have.
Very good blog you have here but I was curious if you knew
of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article?
I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get suggestions
from other experienced individuals that share the same interest.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Cheers!
I am so sad. I maybe going to ER again later. Seems like there is nothing much can be done. The pain and shortness of breath come again.
Yeah, I really sorry for venting out my sadness here. But I am really sad. My family is very worry about me. I almost tried out many options but up to now don’t seems to be workable.
My lifestyle has changed a lot. I stayed at home most of the time and even many hours on the bed.
I still need to make a living for my family but now I can’t. I am very sad about that.
So far we’ve brought you “Trixie”, “Twitch”, “Stretch”, “Sparks,
” “Mr. t want to trust in those rankings, we can easily check all
top sites for video on demand movies and thanks to that we can compare them.
There are many people who are so busy that they simply do not visit a theatre and have no knowledge about the current new releases.
After heart attack-like symptoms during snow shoveling in late Dec.2014, I wound up in the emergency ward of hospital with them doing tests over a 5 day period to see what was wrong. Echocardiogram showed valves working properly and angiogram showed no blocked arteries. Diagnosed “myocardial bridge”. I am now almost one year on metoprolol 25MG (half tablet twice a day); Antorvastatin Calcium 40mg (one at bedtime) along with an aspirin. I also take vitamin c and d. I am now 67 and go every second day to the gym, doing treadmill, stretching and a series of exercises on gym restistance equipment. I haven’t lost any more than maybe 6 pounds but have dropped inches. Still feel a tightness in the chest on occasion on start up of exercise but that is rare. Still have a shortness of breath doing sudden exercise without warm-up. My doctor says it will likely be something else that will get me but sometimes my thoughts go the other way. I have cut down on work schedule, cut down on alcohol consumption and eating more carefully. In general, feel good.
I was a fit 49 year old female when diagnosed (7 years ago). Ran 3-5 miles 6-days a week, lifted weights, prior military who oversaw unit’s fitness program. Heavy weights and running caused same symptoms you had. Long/short is diagnosed w/bridge. Told not to lift anything over 7 lbs and not to walk too fast to the mailbox. Now heart under conditioned and small vessel disease. Can’t help but wonder if it’s due to lack of exercise. Dr now suggesting EECP. It was nice to read your article…it was like reliving my past…happier times. When I was able to run…I never really loved it and couldn’t wait for my nightly run to be over…now I see someone running and I think back to when I could and wish I could run one last time….we always want what we can’t have right? Shame on us!! Enjoy all the things we can do today….
I too have recently been diagnosed with myocardial bridge. As my job is very physical I suffer symptoms on a very regular basis. Many of the cardiologist seem to believe the bridge couldn’t be causing all my symptoms even though they can find nothing else wrong with me and have gone from active person walking many miles a day over the fells. I have meeting with uk surgeon in the new year and actually hope to convince him to do bypass as medication gap done little to help.
I was diagnosed with myocardial bridging last week. I finally had an answer to what has progressively made exercise such a burden. Only one problem, I am in the Air Force and I can’t just stop running. I will probably have to retire from Air Force. I am thankful to finally have a name attached to my symptoms I have had all these years. It is a wonder I havent died because I ran through all the pain, nausea and feeling like I am suffocating to death.
I too was in the Air Force and ran the fitness/weight control program. Had issues all along and they just kept saying I was fine…they never did Left Heart Cath on me and I finally had one 15 years later that found it. Was it the Air Force doctors who found it with Cath? They should do a medical discharge or give you waiver…
So far I went to so many hospital and saw different cardiologist. Most of them said that my symptoms are not from myocardial bridging. It is from the head. Some said it is a kinda of somatization. I just don’t understand why they think that myocardial bridging is benign and won’t cause symptoms? Sigh, why I am having symptoms so frequently and got worse for the past few months. Really sad about that.
Hello… What a similar story…. I too was an exercise guru. I ran, taught fitness classes and my job was health and Wellness Director for the county I lived in. I began to have similar symptoms. If I pushed myself I would get to the point where I couldn’t feel my legs and sometimes faint. After a year of being told I had panic attacks or I was stressed( my parents died 10 months apart). I was so frustrated. Lucky for me I managed a health clinic so the FNP said panic attacks don’t make hands turn blue. She pushed there is something wrong. One morning I got to work late feeling so bad after a morning 5k. She did an ekg on me and it showed some irregularities. She sent me to the hospital with the ekg and they admitted me and ordered a stress test.( the dr there believed it was ingestion). When they begun the stress test within 5 minutes my blood pressure was 259/59 indicating a problem. Stopped the test put me on BP meds even after I tried to explain my BP runs low normally. Needless to say after 2 or 3 days on BP meds my pressure was so low the FNP stopped them. When I went for my follow up appointment the cardiologist ordered a catherization. The catherization showed myocardial bridging with a 90% occlusion of LAD. He referred me to Duke hospital. The dr there put me on calcium channel blockers. Once again lowering my BP and I had to stop taking them. On my return visit the dr suggested open heart surgery as the best solution. Today I am 11 months post surgery I had begun to feel better and was walking 3 miles a day. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer on left side which has complicated the situation. I don’t know what the your future holds but please listen to your body. I would suggest a catherization. If u would like to talk with me further I am the wellness director for Robeson County in North Carolina and my email is Angelao.locklear@co.robeson.nc.us.
Hi Angela,
Thank you so much for your post. I tried to email to you but failed. So sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with breast cancer. How are you?
Actually I intend to go for surgery but I am still deciding. Seems like there maybe complications after the surgery. Do you mind that I ask you a few questions?
Do you feel that you recover completely like last time after the surgery? How long does it takes for you to be able to walk around to the neighboorhood after the surgery? How do you feel in general after the surgery? Is your surgery the myotomy or bypass?
So sorry for asking so many questions. Thank you so much.
Reading this blog for a long time, just want to share hard-time you are experiencing
Hi, about a year and half ago I was running on treadmill and felt some tightness in my chest, figured I just pushed it too much, so backed off and still kinds felt something but not bad, just thought maybe I had a cold. Felt really tired all day but not worried, next day while working out same thing happened, this time it held on and my left arm started hurting. So I drove myself to ER ( I know never do that). They did EKG, blood tests, admitted me, because things were showing really anything but there was still something. Next day did a stress test and after I was basically running uphill they saw something and I got the pain. Next day scheduled a cardio Catheterization, that’s when cardiologist found the myocardial bridge. So we had an answer, put me on Beta blockers and a baby aspirin and Lipitor for about 6 months, hated the beta blockers ( I have low blood pressure naturally, so felt exhausted all the time). then I was cleared to go back to doing what I was doing. So for the last year and half no issues, then about a week ago I started a pretty intense workout with double cardio sessions a day, and the pain is back!!!! I know I should just back off and see what’s up and I will but I want to know why all of a sudden again!!! I have been doing intense cardio and no issues until now. I am 51 years old and want to stay in this shape, it’s frightening that all could change
Being sick is not an excuse for not exercising. If you are sick and not exercising, the more that your body would be weaker. I can relate to this since I am a type 2 diabetic and I do workouts. Most of the diabetic people that I know always feel exhausted, but I don’t feel that at all because I try to be active most of the time.
Really informative! Great read! Moving forward, we can actually listen to great music as well so that we enjoy our exercise activity well, and we can have premium headset protections as well, to protect our headsets from wear and tear, http://kck.st/1ZEWexc
I just turned 67 years old. Last year I woke up at nite feeling chest pain and diziness. I was taken to an ER at a Texas hospital in the medical center in Houston. Had heart catherization that showed a major myocardial bridge. The bridge is substantial in length. I was prescribed several medications that caused headaches, eye irritation and other irritating symptoms.
I discussed all the side effects with my cardiologist who agreed to cut the medications down to Metoprolol and lisinopril plus my usual aspirin.
I feel fine. I excercise every day for 45 minutes, cardio first then muscle toning.
No complain so far, i try not to stress my heart, by keeping busy and working full time. Good luck to you, do not even think about it being a heart defect, we are just of the selected elite 5% of the population with this condition.
It is most important to me to be healthy and to have a quality life as long as i can. We do not have a choice of how we end, but it is up to us how we live till we get to the end 😀
I’m really late to the party here but I did want to chime in because I also had to give up running due to health issues. I was running marathons, loved a good long run, and at the time felt “able to leap tall buildings in a single bound” good about myself. Then, I blew out my spine big time and went from running 40 miles a week to barely being able to sit up. It took a major toll on my psyche because instead of feeling strong and capable, I felt weak and helpless. This was 6 years ago and I have gotten lots of my life back, like sitting up, but still can’t run and I really have to be careful about how I workout. I walk about 2 miles a day, or hike (I’m in Colorado too). I also lift weights but again I have to be careful how I move and there are certain things I just can’t do. It’s been an adjustment and an identity shift and sometimes it frustrates me but I am able to stay fit without hurting my body and that, rather than marathon bragging rights, is now what is most important to me. I will take flabby thighs over debilitating pain any day of the week. You know so much about exercise that I’m sure you’ll find ways to stay healthy while taking care of your heart.
I know this is an old post but I came across it in researching myocardial bridging. I am a 48 year old healthy, fit woman with little relative risk for heart disease, and yet, two weeks ago I had a mild heart attack. I am a personal trainer, eat clean – a runner, I do HIIT workouts, weight training etc. IN my heart cath, they saw a bridge but supposedly it was ‘such an insignificant finding’ they don’t know if that had anything to do with this. But, my arteries are clean. So what else is there? My symptoms started 12 hours after a tough boot camp workout- which I was light headed towards the end. The next morning I had this strange sensation come over me that I thought was a hot flash. And then, in the evening as I started my HIIT workout – I didn’t feel well and left. Heart attack (mild) happened then. Two weeks after the heart attack, I was out for a walk/jog and keeping heart rate around 140-145, and after about 25 minutes, that ‘feeling’ overcame me- it felt like a severe panic attack. I’m not sure if something happened first and then I panicked or what. But, I ended up back in observation and was put on a beta blocker. That lasted 2 days – my normal resting heart rate is so low (46 in the morning, 35 in the middle of they night) that I can’t go much lower. My BP is already controlled with a BP med. I take baby aspirin and cholesterol med now too (even though my numbers aren’t medication worthy)
I have cardiology follow up on April 19th and a stress test scheduled for April 25th (which I am very nervous about). I am afraid that my running and high intensity workout days may be over. I love doing yoga though and it’s been a nice experience returning to that practice. Walking is *meh* but it’s better than nothing. I am hoping biking may be an option too. I just wanted to share my story. I don’t know much about my bridge yet, but I will be armed with questions when I go! Right now I have high anxiety (I am shocked that you were able to exercise through the episodes!) and it’s hard to tell the difference between panic attacks or ‘episodes’ I am afraid my emotional distress will trigger an attack. I know we are LUCKY. Some people can drop dead from this and the bridge is discovered in autopsy. So I guess it’s a blessing in disguise that we found out when we did!
How are you doing now? Please email or respond if you have more insight to share… Thanks!
Hi Charlotte. Thanks for sharing your journey. I had some chest pains too when I was overweight but I never researched about it because I thought it would pass as I lost weight. However, the pains didn’t go away with the weight so I guess I will need to see a doctor soon. I’m really worried about it. Anyway… Thank you again.
Wow, I just read your article, thank you for posting!
I have just been diagnosed with a Myocardial Bridge. In the past, I have run triathlons, half marathons, OCRs (i.e Spartan and Tough Mudder). I am even signed up for a little 10K next month. But I think my endurance racing days are over. I also like to ski, hike, rock climb, mountain bike, but don’t know if I can do those? I would love to hear what you do to enjoy the outdoors now and stay in shape.
And, what type of preventative measures do you now take? Medication? Yoga, Mindfulness?
Also, have you had any fainting or dizziness episodes? And what do you do when you have them? I passed out on a plane next to my son, and was a goner – literally no heart rate, effectively dead (nothing on the other side, btw) . Thankfully, a surgeon was on board and revived me. But I wondering if I can self medicate if it happens again.
Sorry, I have so many questions and so few answers right now. Like you, I live in a mountainous area (Bend, OR) and would love to keep enjoying them! Hope you are doing well and I hope to hear from you…
Warmly,
Chuck
Myocardial bridging, pain in the #$@#, well the left side of chest and shoulder to be truthful. You can find out for sure with an angiogram, that’s how mine was found after a stress test indicated I was having a heart attack. They rushed me straight to hospital. It wasn’t a heart attack but a mild myocardial bridge.
When my heart rate gets to around 140BPM I get the start of the pain and simply stop or greatly decrease whatever activity I am doing – usually running or hiking up steep inclines. I have had this for 7 years but only recently has life become a little unraveled by it. I have just entered menopause which is a bit of a curve ball when it comes to the bodies ability to balance hormones and also as an indication of ageing and declining ability of the arteries to function as well as they did pre-50 years of age. Like you I have low blood pressure and am unable to take beta-blockers for palpitations as they further reduce blood pressure. With menopause I am experiencing increasing bouts of palpitations with debilitating low pressure (88/47). At these times I just lay down and hope that this isn’t going to be the end. I get very tired and weak. I don’t go to my doctor anymore because it is always about ‘how is your anxiety’ or ‘do you think you are depressed’? Well hell yes doc, I do get a bit anxious, this is scary stuff and the medical profession doesn’t seem to consider it scary at all. If it’s insignificant and hardly worth researching then why am I on aspirin and anti-cholesterol tablets when I have never had high cholesterol, heart attack or clots. I am fit, intelligent and active so why do I sometimes ask my husband to sit with me when it gets bad? I ask him to hold me because sometimes I feel that I will fade away, the pounding heart, whooshing of low blood pressure and so weak I need help to sit up.
Hi Penny Wicks,
There are many people with this condition. Many of them get well after surgery.
I also have this problem. I have the intention of going for surgery soon.
Hello,
Myself Kuldip and I am from India. I also have the myocardial bridge which got diagnosed when I stressed out a lot myself in the gym last year. All of sudden I found that my rate is beating very fast which is very unusual and had never happened earlier, I was also having shortness of breath which was making the experience more awful.
I immediately got myself to the hospital and they took echo cardiogram and gave necessary medication (sorbitate etc), Heart beat was 145-150 bpm. After spending nearly 1-2 hours in the emergency all gradually went normal, but doctor insisted me to take a complete check to know the problem.
Later day they took a angiogram and found that I have myocardial bridge and told me this is a minor issue and need not to worry at all.
This episode happened one year back… since then I take medicine for cholesterol every night and metroprolol is stopped now. I try to exercise daily changed my food habits. Reduced few kilos of weight. I play Table tennis but did not strain myself too much. I also do plenty of stretching and strength exercise and I am quite good.
I liked the post of urs and also the reply by “T diab”. We are all healthy and will definitely lead good life because we are more alert towards health than rest 95% population 🙂
Stay happy and healthy guys..
am also having high cholesterol and taking atorvastatin 10Mg daily.
Ran over 40 marathons. About 10 years ago started getting sick at about mile 23 or after completion. This increased to the point that I was getting sick at mile 14 and slowing considerably.
Finally, last year identified as myocardial bridge. On better blocker and blood pressure meds even though I had incredibly low blood pressure.
Now if I push too hard, I get sick and fatiqued for a week. Seems to be getting more frequent.
So my life has changed from runner to pedestrian.
I am a 54 year old female and went through open heart surgery 2 years ago! They told me not to take walks with my dog, do not swim and no running until I had the surgery! It can kill you at any given moment!! Don’t know why you all haven’t had this surgery yet but you are lucky to still be living! Please Call UVA and ask for Dr. Kron. He is the top man and I am back to normal today because of him and his team.
Just diagnosed with myocardial bridge. Looking to talk to other people who have it. I’m 49 and had the flu and a bad case of bronchitis this Spring. That lead to shortness of breath and chest pain, which sent me to the ER and a cardiac cath leading to diagnosis. Why are the symptoms just showing up now?
Dear all,
I had a surgery to unroof the bridge last month. The surgery didn’t went well. The surgeon accidentally puncture the LAD. He patched it back. After few hours, there was a lot of bleeding inside as the patch didn’t work. Then, I underwent median sternotomy. The first surgery was left thoracotomy. So total was 2 surgeries in a day. I am lucky that I am still alive.
The condition after surgery was no better than before. I had a lot of symptoms after the surgery. It seems like it didn’t really solve the issue.
If time can go back, I think I chose medications and seek other alternatives.
I was very sad for few weeks after the surgery. I only really understand that surgery is not without risk. I should think properly. I seek few cardiologists opinion before surgery. Most told me not to go for surgery.
Anyway, what is done cannot be undone.
I am now looking forward for recovery from the surgery.
Hi,
nice to read your article. i am 41 years old and live in Jakarta, Indonesia with my daughters and wife. Indonesia is a country in south east asia. i have myocardial bridge and now i just suggested to have light exercise. i am now on beta blocker and cholestrol agent ( statin). it helps though i still have chest pain when i am too tired or getting stress. so, try to enjoy your life and dont think much on the pain. give your family the best you can. thanks and God bless you and family
Charlotte, there is an immense amount of information out there. I have been researching for two years after my diagnosis of a MB. My symptoms started about 7 years ago and I was diagnosed in 2014.
My symptoms and problems have only gotten worse and I see no other alternative but surgery, which should rid me of most if not all exertional pain and start the healing process of the endothelial disease. I am quite excited to start the journey of getting my life back. Doing nothing will only make things worse instead of stopping the problem in it’s tracks and getting healthy again.
I disagree http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/08/discover-the-secret-to-lowering-your-blood-pressure-in-15-minutes.aspx#!
I have one as well and then a dissection of the artery under the muscle. So i have a stint now for the dissection. Wondering if you do any bicycling? I an wanting to get back to it, but worried as i am on blood thinners if I fall and start bleeding etc. But may try and just wear a HR monitor to keep the rate down? Best of luck, hope you can stay off meds as long as possible!
I was diagnosed w/ myocardial bridge 5 years ago. At the time I was 55. The symptoms started out a year or so before, and gradually got worse and worse to the point that one day at work I thought I was having a full blown heart attack. After ER, stress test, and heart cath, the cardiologist told me my heart was clean and very healthy for a man my age. At this point I was very relieved that this was the case, as heart problems run in the family. So after the relieved feeling, I’m thinking, now he’s going to tell me I’m crazy ! I had all the symptoms of a heart attack! After a few minutes, the doctor came in and said he found the problem, explained what it was, and my symptoms were real. He prescribed baby aspirin and blood pressure meds. This did relieve the symtoms, but I too have low blood pressure which didn’t work out well. I couldn’t function at all. Got off the blood pressure meds. and decided to live with it. I am now sixty, lead an active life, and I have learned what I can and can’t do. At least I know my heart is healthy, I can do pretty much what I want, (just takes longer than it used to.) when It’s time to work or play, I do. I just have to live with the fact that I need to rest more than I used to, and have learned to suck it up and live with the palpitations and pain. At least I know what it is, and it goes away after a bit.
Hi, I am 50, I got diagnosed a myocardical bridge two years ago. I have always done a lot of sports, and particularly intense mountain biking. It broke out at 48, coming out of blue sky. Never had any symptom before.
I get some diffuse pain when I practice sport with too much intensity, but the strange thing is that in my case yes, most of the pain comes AFTER the sport practice (starts one hour after and can last a couple of days or even weeks). My cardiologists have never seen that before and are lost (there are not that many symptomatic bridges around at the first place).
Another interesting observation: if I practice mountain biking in altitude (daily at 2000m and above) during 2-3 weeks, starting very mild and increasing progressively, after a 2-3 weeks I feel mostly “healed”. I am bringing this up, because you seem to be happy with hiking and I observe that for some strange reason altitude mild training improves things.
So this this summer I felt particularly good after my 3 weeks of daily training in altitude. But then, a couple of month later in September, while biking at low altitude, the symptoms suddenly broke out and I am back to the start point again…
Why when we are young we have no symptoms and they come only with age? This nobody knows. But I clearly feel that an outdoor active life in altitude allows me to come a bit back in time.
Myocardial bridging is very under researched. Especially if you are a late 30’s athletic / healthy woman! I had multiple defects including MB that resulted in aortic aneurysm. My surgeon unroofed the bridge while they had me opened up. I’m on a study with Dr. Ingela Schnittger at Stanford. Highly recommend you getting in touch if you have MB.
Dear All,
As mentioned in my earlier comment, I felt very regretted to go for the unroofing surgery. Should I have a chance to go back, I won’t be going for the surgery.
My condition became much worst after the surgery. There was no improvement at all. The old pain was still there and there was also new pain and was more serious.
Now I stayed on the bed most of the time.
I only gotta know many of them who went for the surgery also not really fully recover.
The question I should ask myself before the surgery was “Is myocardial bridging causing me the symptoms or MVD, Spasm or other non cardiac causes?”
There are millions of people in the world having myocardial bridging and they live with it.
Again, I would like to say I regretted a lot for the surgery. REALLY REGRETTED. PLEASE THINK CAREFULLY.
I REALLY REGRETTED FOR THE STUPID SURGERY. PLEASE THINK CAREFULLY.
I didn’t think what if the surgery didn’t work? Then, after the surgery, I knew that it didn’t work. Not at all except made my condtion much much worst. I stayed on the bed most of the time.
Now, they said MVD or Spasm or endothelial dysfunction or non cardiac chest pain. The surgeon should said before the surgery and not after.
Again!!! Again!!! I would like to say I regretted a lot for the surgery. REALLY REGRETTED. PLEASE THINK CAREFULLY.
I REALLY REGRETTED FOR THE STUPID SURGERY. PLEASE THINK CAREFULLY.
Hi David thank you for sharing your experience about your myocardial bridge – I have recently been diagnosed with this and have been told it is a rare heart disorder. I’ve been feeling very unwell for 4 years . I hope you are feeling better. I would love to hear back from you.
Hi Stephanie,
I am not really good after the 2 stupid and unnecessary surgeries. Imagine that you can be unwell for 4 years and you are still fine now. Do you think the condition is life threatening? Are you sure it is from myocardial bridging and not MVD (Micro-vascular Disease)?
You got to talk to your cardiologist on what kind of medicine suitable for you.
Like I mentioned, I really regretted for these stupid surgeries. My life totally changed because of these stupid surgeries.
Can you be 100% sure that your symptoms will go away after the open heart surgery? This is heart surgery. It is not a simple surgery.
Again, I would like to say that I fully regretted for the stupid surgeries.
So I hope you make the right choice.
Hi David,
Thank you for your quick response. It is very difficult for me to make a decision. I was told by my Cardiologist that the surgery carries extremely high risks. When I asked what the risks were I was told survival. I feel breathless, extremely tired, I get chest pain and I get lightheaded. The last symptom is a nuisance as at times I feel like I am going to pass out. I love to dance but can’t jive now. I suppose I should count my blessings but it’s difficult. I do hope you feel better soon and thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I can’t find much support for this disease. I’ve tried to join a closed group on Facebook but got no response yet.
Hi David,
Thank you for your quick response. I have been told by my Cardiologist that the surgery carries extremely high risks. When I asked what the risks were I was told survival. I am hoping my symptoms won’t get worse. At the moment I am breathless, light headed, experience chest pain, fatigue etc. I love to dance but cannot jive at the moment. I have been told to keep up the exercise but I have been warned not to over do it. I cannot continue to work with this disease. I wake up with chest pain even before I get out of bed and need to rest several times throughout the day. Sometimes I feel that I will faint and it can hit me without warning. I do hope you feel better soon.
Sorry David I posted one reply to you but wasn’t sure where it went so I replied a second time – now see both replies have been posted.
Hi Mark
Just wondering if you saw your Cardiologist and did you go for surgery?
Hi Bud,
I’m 56 and have been diagnosed with MB – I thought I was going mad as my symptoms were so severe and it took 4 years to get a proper diagnosis. I honestly do not know why I just didn’t drop dead – I felt soooo ill. I love to dance but can’t do all the dances now. Did your cardiologist ever suggest surgery?
Regards & best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.
Hi Stephanie,
Which hospital are you visiting? Any track record from them?
Can you accept that after your surgery, your condition doesn’t improve and even become worst? Have you ever thought of this possibility?
Before the surgery, I always thought of the best outcome as the surgeon said it is a simple surgery.
Have you done enough research on how many people really fully recover from the symptoms after the surgery?
Have you ever thought that the surgery is unsuccessful?
Have you ever thought that you have live with myocardial bridging since you were born and now you are still alive?
Finally, I mention again that I felt fully regretted for my surgery. Do you know what is my condition? There was no one good day for me after the surgery. I was on the bed most of the time. I am now on the bed typing this message using iphone. I suffered chest pain, shortness of breath and super giddy after the surgery. I felt down yesterday due to giddiness. No good day till now.
Thus, I hope you make the right decision. Like I mentioned again, I felt Super was regretted about the surgery. I am finding a time machine.
Hi David
I am so sorry to hear that there is no improvement for you. I will light a candle for you in church. Yes you are right I cannot get enough information to go ahead with surgery. There is not enough support for this unfortunately. I have symptoms but at least I can get around since I started medication. I find lots of rest is very important. I hope you feel better soon and I hope you have good support
Hi David I hope this post won’t go up twice as I already replied but can’t see it so I’m trying again.
I’m really sorry to hear you feel so I’ll. I will light a candle for you in church. You are right about everything you say. I am alive and since I began to take the medication it is helping. There is still lots I cannot do but also looking on the bright side there is lots I can do. It is extremely difficult to get support for this and you are so good to give me advice. I attended hospitals in Dublin Ireland and have been told surgery is very uncommon. I hope you have good support from the surgeon and that your health improves soon.
Charlotte, Some time in a recovery room bed after heart catheterization the other day, waiting for a hematoma at my wrist to subside, gave me a chance to learn more about myocardial bridging, which is what the doc had found with me. My chest pain during some kinds of exercise, apparently not nearly as great as yours, started 10 years ago while living in the Twin Cities and had gotten better and worse since moving to 5000′ Montana eight years ago. It was initially misdiagnosed as “sports reflux,” which doesn’t exist, then EIA (now called EIB) became the working diagnosis. Inhalers (Atrovent, then Xonpenx) helped a lot in terms of endurance and speed, but didn’t completely stop the chest pain. For example, I’d take two puffs before a mountain hike, the another one or two as needed. Altitude seemed to be a factor, but it was hard to pin down. So before sending me off to a big city for more serious testing, they prescribed the catheterization. Results: no heart disease but a short section, maybe 30mm, of myocardial bridging on the left anterior descending artery and ostial diagonal. The doc has prescribed amlodipine for several weeks, to see if it does any good (and how I tolerate it). The thing is that treatment of MB is symptom driven, so the drug is a way of seeing if my chest pain actually comes from MB, or EIB. Even if it’s MB, since the inhaler and amlodipine have different ways of dealing with it, the choice of which drug to use is symptom (and to a lesser extent pocketbook) driven.
But I would say, at least based on my lesser symptoms than yours – and I’m nearing 70 – that to the extent you can handle the chest pain, I’ve found it doesn’t hurt to keep going (I do gym and outdoor intervals and have cross-country ski raced during these past 10 years). Good luck,
Am an addict of doing strenuous exercises but this left muscle bridge making my life horrible..ok i dont want too much weight exercises ..even if i do 6 reps with chest & arm press itself causes me crushing pain…any natural remedies …or can debridging help me doing reasonably good amount of weight exercises
Does any support group exist for people who have a myorcardial bridge ??
Dear all,
I admitted hospital few days ago because of the complications of the 2 stupid surgeries due to deroofing of the bridge. Sternum not fully union, worsening chest pain and shortness of breath.
The cardiologist said to me that when the surgeon cut the muscle, there was small artery connect to the muscle, therefore it might be cut too. So in a way, he said he won’t recommend this surgery to me. But too bad, I already did the surgery.
He told me he saw people with myocardial bridging almost every week and he saw thousands of them. None that he send for surgery and they are still alive.
So again. I regretted for the surgery.
Hi David
So sorry to hear you have been back in hospital . I hope they will be able to help you . Praying for you. Please let us know how you get on.
Dear Stephanie,
I discharged from hospital and my lungs are not very well functioned. The more the cardiologist told me, the more I regretted.
If given a chance back, even someone gave me 10 million dollar, I won’t go for the unroofing surgery.
That’s all I would like to say.
I am totally regretted.
Dear David
I am so so sorry. I hope and pray you will feel better
Hi Charlotte,
I found your blog on your myocardial bridge very interesting and as you say, there is not much information out there. I was a serving soldier (active) for 31 years and fought though the pain/breathing/vomiting as I though it was all part of going hard. However as I got older the going hard got harder, I was also a smoker. So I gave up smoking in an attempt to keep up with the young fellas. However, on giving up smoking I put on 20kg and my test PT results got worse. My symptoms were like the exercise-induced asthma you listed. I had had these symptoms as a child and it was put down to bronchitis. So in to the Doc to see why I was getting slower and having my lungs and chest burn till I vomited. A long story short, they found the Bridge and said that I was very lucky not to have damaged my heart. The Doc’s advice, go until you get the asthma feeling then slow down. All good. Even 5 years after being told the brain keeps thinking about it which lead me to your blog. Which has helped. Thank you.
Thomo
NZ
It’s tough Thomo- you have to take life easy and slow down- rest when you need to. Some days I can deal with this – other days I find it difficult. Take care
Dear all
Hope my message finds you all well. I am a male, 43 years old, a former professional swimmer and currently still swimming 3 time a week.
After I was 34 or so, I start experiencing some left arm discomfort, increase in the heart rate and some times some burning sensation in my left chest. For more than 7 years , I ve done endless of cardioechography and the outcome was always nothing, however my symptoms were always there, but I would say not very disabling but rather making me anxious about a potential underlying problem.
After a trip to a mountain, I had difficulty breathing at night time which has triggered a panic attack. When back from the trip, I saw a lung doctor that did nit found any expalantion to the problem,. The cardiologist also stated all is ok. Meanwhile, my burning symptoms continue, increasing in stress time and once I asked the cardiologist that I absolutely need to check my coronary arteries that are not revealed by echography, he told me it is useless to do it but I insisted, Eventhough I was scared since it is not a simple exam, I was pushed by my anxiety as I had serious doubt something wrong with the coronaries. After the test, the cathetirasor comes to me and say. There is no blockage in the artheries, but at least now you know that you have a Myocardial bridge. The exam that was supposed to calm my doubts has actually created new ones. I ve seen several cardiologist and all of them said that the MB is nothing and that I need to forget about it, thus I leaved with the symptoms, using B blockers sporadically but have never been put under a serious medication so far.
The new devellopement of the story is, since a couple of months, I start feeling some discomfort in my chest when I get angry or nervous, have sporadically shortness of breath and fel dizzy while walking which have incresed my worries to have a heart attack and is now dragging me into a depressed mood. Each time I see my kids, I get very sad to the taught I will have to leave them maybe soon. I am afraid I will have a hear attack and won’t be able to reach the hospital or won’t have the right treatement to save my life
When I go through te different forum, it seems that the calcium channel blockers are the medication of the choice the MB symptms as B blockers might triggers further complocation. However, I need to see a cardiologist specialized in MB which I do not find in my country and therefore I would like to know what the most experienced place where I can assess my case and get the right advise. I am afraid since the umptoms are getting worse, rapid measures need to be taken to prevent something serious to happen.
Thanks all for your advise and opinions
Hi Jawad
Sorry to hear you are not well. This myocardial bridge is very difficult to live with. I have a lot of your symptoms- breathlessness, feel weak/dizzy if I walk. Can’t stand for long. Chest pain and pain in left arm palpations. I have been advised by a cardiologist that there is no operation that would relieve my symptoms. Be careful about the operation. I was told it carries extremely high risks and symptoms could get worse. I feel I can’t work with this problem. Try to rest and relax as stress is not good. I wish you all the best.
Hi Stephanie
Thanks for your prompt answer and understand your pain dealing with such a condition. The worse in it i teh sychological aspect and the fear in leaving with unceratin heart conditions.
Are you under medication now and what do you take? I fear if this is left without treatement, to lead to a strok or hear attack. This fear and anxiety is the worse issue here. Also, I am experiencing significant decrease in heart rate and sometime linked to this feeling of fainting.
wish you you could better manage this and have a normal life
BR
Jawed
Hi Jawad
Yes I understand your fear. I’ve lost count the number of times I thought I would pass out. Lately I feel breathless during and after eating. The medication is helping but not enough. I take beta blockers to slow down the heart rate so it’s not pressing as much on the artery, also potassium channel activators, cholesterol lowering drug, asprin and a tablet to help the acid reflux. I thought of you today when I was out walking. I like to walk beside the wall if there is one as I feel weak. Before I started on the medication I couldn’t go out. Life isn’t easy trying to cope with this condition. I hope you feel better soon
Hi Jawad I did a reply with list of medications etc but it hasn’t appeared here. This has happened before and then my posts appear twice so I’ll wait and see if it goes up. Are you on FACEBOOK- I was hoping there would be a support group for us on it. I’ll post up my medication later if my post doesn’t appear. Hope you feel better soon
Thanks all for your replies. I am really confused about these symptoms. Since I have also a Reflux and Hiatal Hernia, some times I I Am just confused on what I really have. Is it the MB , the reflux causing the dizziness while getting into the ears or itritating the vagal nerve. Just this morning I was visiting my house that is under construction and in teh middle of discussion with the enterpreneur, I felt again like dizzy and passing out. I cut teh discussion and took my car. I was wondering if I would past out while driving. IN a very cnfused state I kept driving sometime taking hospital direction and some time going home, finally I went home and had some rest. Anxiety is coming to really complicate this situation. I am afraid If I go to emergency, they did something wrong and worsen my situation. On teh other hand, I am afraid once something really bad will happen following these health event.
Really confused and do not know what I have to do
Hi Jawad Really sorry to hear this. I don’t have a hiatus hernia but I do have acid reflux. I feel your pain. I wonder if you like me cannot stand to talk for too long? If I stand to talk or have to queue I begin to feel unwell. Take a look at vestibular rehabilitation on YouTube. I wonder if it would help. You might find a practitioner in your area. Hang on in there.
Hello, sorry for my bad english I hope you understand me anyway. I wish to thank you for the blog post I also thank all those who have written about their myocardial bridge because it makes me feel less alone with this “defect”.
I’m an Italian boy of 24 years with a deep myocardial bridge.
I started to have symptoms three years ago, I saw many cardiologists everyone said it was anxiety but I still feel sick, until this summer, a cardiologist examined me and she decided to hospitalize me.
From a coronary tac result a deep myocardial bridge (3 cm long) . They have prescribed diltiazem 60 mg 3 times a day has anyone tried it?
Hi Alessio so sorry you are feeling unwell. You are so young. I have just been prescribed the same medication you are on 120 mg. It is doing some good. What are your symptoms. By the way your English is perfect. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Steph
Hi Stephanie, Thank you for your reply, I started to have these symptoms 3 years ago.
Currently I can hardly walk, I have shortness of breath and chest pain after a few meters.
I spend lying on the couch most of my time.
Lately I have problems even if i’m lying, especially in the evening / night.
Although I do not like drugs such as calcium channel blockers because of their side effects,
most of all I am afraid of atrioventricular block etc ..
I think that now I have no choice, and I will have to start taking this medicine.
Coronary catheterization was not carried out probably because i’m a polyallergic patient
so I do not know the % occlusion of LAD.
To do the Coronary CT I had to take an antiallergic preparation.
A deep myocardial bridging of the mid segment of the LAD (3 cm long) was discovered from a coronary CT.
Although in Italy there are excellent Cardiologists some of them have different opinions on myocardial
bridge so I looked for someone specializing on myocardial bridging and found Dr. Ingela Schnittger (She works in Stanford)
I read some of her research(I’m a biomedical technologies student, I’m not a doctor but I understand something)
The problem is that we are too far but I tried to send her an email anyway but got no answer.
Anyway, How long you take Diltiazem? You’ve Got Some Side effect taking Diltiazem?
Hi Alessio your reply made me feel sad. I could cry for you. I feel you have no choice but to take the medication. That’s the way I feel. I feel I would not survive without it. I’m only taking the Dilzem 7 days. I was on Bisop before that. I also take Nicorandil. I think I would trust Dr. Ingela to do the surgery but with anyone else I would be fearful. You are too young to suffer like this. Keep sending her emails. I will pray for you but in the mean time please keep taking your medication.
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Seaneys From the moment I walked in, I felt comfortable. He performed a thorough exam and explained everything along the way. Dr. Seaneys listens to my concerns and goes to work. I always leave there feeling better than I did when I walked in. I look forward to my visits each week!
Dear all,
I admitted to hospital again due to squeezing chest pain. Let me tell you, my symptoms were much horrible and terrible after surgery compare to before surgeries. How I wish I didn’t go for the surgeries.
Last time, when I had the symptoms, I know it was not life threatening. So far, myocardial bridging rarely causes death but surgery was different.
So again I regretted to go for the surgeries. But what can I do? Time can’t go back.
Beware, there maybe many surgeons wanna earn money and recommend surgery. I got it.
So you all should know my feelings.
I was considered as super unlucky and I was super unwise and super stupid. I should not go for the stupid surgeries.
Now I am lying on the bed most of the time.
Hi David please know that my heart goes out to you. Did the surgeon specialise in myocardial bridge? I hope they can treat you with medication that will help you.
Dear Stephanie,
The surgeon was not specialized on myocardial bridging. But he claimed he did one patient and was successful and his patient did very well after that.
I don’t know how true it is.
Anyway, now I went through the surgeries and I could tell you it was much worst after the surgeries.
And now I am taking a lot of medications. The surgeries has been more than 6 months.
Last time, before surgeries, actually my symptoms can be controlled through medications such as diltiazem, imdur and beta blockers. Though there were still some pain. After surgeries, I could tell you it is entirely different. I sprayed GTN aka nitroglycerin very frequent and couldn’t really walk.
Imagine if I was satisfied with my condition before surgeries, I would be ok. And I can still be happy with my son and family. I am just 37 this year.
Imagine how much damage the surgeries caused to my life. Physically and emotionally.
You can actuallly visit inspire.com. There are a lot of info on this. I got a thread there that called my personal bad experience of myocardial bridging surgery.
Dear David so sorry to hear that. It is heartbreaking. I wonder if you could see a surgeon who specialises in myocardial bridging- the hospital who messed up your surgery should refer you and pay for all the costs. I will check out the website you mention. Please let me know how you are doing
Dear Stephanie,
The surgeon who did the surgeries for me even charged two surgeries and was expensive.
So far, I never heard of surgeon specialized in MB because rarely people went for surgery because of MB. Very very rare.
If you really want, I guess Stanford got cardiologist specialized on that.
Hi, thanks Stephanie you are a good person. David sorry to hear that. I would like to share with you all a very interesting article. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2016/10/unroofing-surgery-relieves-debilitating-symptoms-of-heart.html
David maybe Ingela can help you.
Thanks Alessio. Imagine MB is not even taught in medical school and so few surgeries carried out. Did you hear anything back from Dr. Ingela? Thank God someone is doing something for people like us. I wish you well ❤Please let us know how you are doing
Hi Stephanie.
Yes, She replied to my email:
“Hi Alessio,
I am sorry to hear about your problems.
If you have a deep, 3 cm long LAD myocardial bridge, the best long term option for you is probably un-roofing surgery. However, I am not sure if there is any cardiac surgeon in Italy that do these procedures.
There is a Cardiology group in Padova, Italy (Siciliano M, Migliore F, Piovesana P ) who have published a paper on myocardial bridges. You may contact them for further information.
Unfortunately, I cannot advice you unless you come to Stanford.”
I really want to go to Stanford to decide the best treatment with Ingela Schnittger but it takes a lot of money especially since I do not know how it works with US health care system, in Italy the health system is totally different from the US, and I do not know how it works for an Italian person who goes to get treatment at Stanford.
Greetings everyone,
My imperfect-heart goes out to all of you. I have a myocardial bridge, but I don’t have any symptoms. My very long complex story in condensed form:
I had a bilateral pulmonary embolism 7 years ago, we think this put stress on my heart and caused the myocardial bridge to trigger a heart attack (which I was completely unaware of at the time). The heart attack scarred my heart and allowed a blood clot to form in the left ventricle over a two year period. Feeling fully recovered, I was working out one day and the clot broke apart and shot into my arm (not my brain, thank God). I had emergency open heart surgery to remove the blood clot. I’ve been on Lisinopril, Metoprolol and Coumadin for the last 5 years.
I met with Dr Schnittger the first time about 3 years ago. At which time, she diagnosed me with the myocardial bridge, but that was before we were aware of the heart attack (finally found that out about 3 months ago after doing an MRI of my heart), so we didn’t make the connection that the bridge was in any way involved in causing the blood clot.
I just met with her again last week and we finally pieced this whole thing together. It’s been a 7 year adventure. This whole time I haven’t had any symptoms from the bridge, I recovered from the heart surgery and returned to normal activities. I’m a long distance runner, or was a long distance runner, as of a couple weeks ago. Three days before I met with her I ran a 50 mile ultra marathon in the mountains north of San Francisco. It was the third time I tried to finish this race, finally everything came together and I had the best race of my life. It was slow, but I finished and could not be happier. When I met with her, she gave me the news that I should not try that sort of distance again. I should also not play team sports anymore. I love playing ice hockey and that’s something I won’t be able to play any more. At least on teams, in a competitive way. I’ve been pretty bummed about this, I love doing what my wife calls “crazy things”, and I’m still coming to grips that if I want to stay alive I’m going to have to change.
Reading everyone’s comments here has really helped me out. I have it good and I should be thankful to be alive. I should be thankful that I can still go run at all.
Anyways, now that I’ve introduce myself. A few things:
• A few people stated that they take Diltiazem. For what it’s worth, Dr Schnittger wants me to take Metoprolol, Lisinopril and baby Aspirin daily.
• Alessio, the link you shared was very interesting. I hadn’t read that before. I really hope you’re able to see Dr Schnittger. I have no idea how your insurance would work with a US hospital. Costs are astronomical here if you do not have insurance. I do know there are a ton of funds and charities you can apply for though. Maybe the first step is to contact your insurance to find out how you could see a specialist in the US. Also talk to your doctors about any charity funds you may be eligible for. I’d even ask Dr Schnittger if she was able to meet you remotely, like over Skype or something? That could at least save you a plane ticket. Also maybe your doctors could talk with her and she could educate them or at least point them in the right direction for addressing your issues.
• Charlotte, it sounds like you did a stress test but your doctors didn’t find anything out of the norm. This is so crazy to me! My experience was similar in that, it seems like most cardiologists are not aware of Dr Schnittger’s research and techniques. She was able to diagnose my bridge through a stress test. When I spoke with her, she completely agreed that most doctors don’t know any better. She was of the opinion that the best way to spread that awareness is through patients like us. We need to tell our doctors about this research so they can further their own education.
• Stephanie, I haven’t been able to find any support groups or websites either. This thread is pretty much the best thing I found. Which I’m guessing, since it’s so long, most of us found it the same way. There’s just not much out there…
Which brings me to my final thought. I think we need to change this. I’m a web developer, I’ve been creating websites for close to 20 years. I’m thinking it would be valuable to make a website that will bring awareness to the research and give us a place to share our stories. Nothing is worse than getting a diagnosis and thinking you’re the only one. I’ll be checking in here frequently and will let you know when I have something up.
Take care everyone,
-Ben
PS. Sorry for the long windedness of this…
Ben
OMG Ben you’re a God send. I’ve felt so alone with this damn thing. You are so lucky to have Dr. Ingela. Most people have never heard of a myorcardial bridge. I would love to share my experience with others. We could help each other. I hope you stay well. I couldn’t dream of running but I can walk so Thank God for that.
Alessio
Thank you so much for your great response. Have you checked out the cardiologist’s Dr. Ingela mentioned in Italy? I wish you well.
I hope that you all have a lovely Christmas.xx
Hi All
Check out http://www.inspire.com – hope this helps x
Greetings,
If I could run 3 km without any symptoms and don’t have any resting symptoms, I won’t bother about the myocardial bridging. There are millions of people with myocardial bridging and live happily.
Last time, I was reading too much and was somatized. When I thought I got the bridge, whenever any resting chest or back pain, I thought it was from myocardial bridging.
At last, I went for unnecessary surgeries and made things much much worst. Before surgery, I could walk quite far and brisk walk. Not much of symptoms after eating and etc.
FYI, I didn’t have any elevated troponin before the surgery. Not at all.
Before surgeries, I did contact most doctors around the world and even send my angiograms, MRI and etc. I have researched many articles. Only thing I was wrong was my previous symptoms were not from myocardial bridging. The doctors around the world did reply me last time.
I guess last time I should trust those cardiologists that seen me. It was not from the bridge for my case.
I know few people. Even after they did the surgery, they still got the symptoms. Then the doctors told them they have MVD and spasm. I found it very ridiculous but I myself also did the surgery. Worst was I got complications.
Imagine those people did the surgeries still got symptoms despite the myocardial bridging had been unroofed. So???????????
I don’t want to answer anything.
Last time I was based on hope. When I had symptoms. I was looking for hope. Just too bad, kept on looking for hope led me to super wrong decision.
I had to say people including myself like to hear something positive or hopeful.
But for me now, I mean now, I think it is good to hear something realistic.
Had I didn’t research so much, I wouldn’t ended up like this state. I would be happily with my family.
Heartbreaking David – so sad ❤
I had the same thing and had the surgery done 2 years ago Jan 2017 call me and i will tell you my DR. name. I live in WA state 253-335-2006
Hi Christine
Was surgery successful? Who carried out surgery for you? Was it Dr Ingela?
Kidney Donors online, Kidney Donors List, Kidney Donation, Kidney Transplant and kidney Donor match for Kidney Patients and all about Kidney Diseases. Get A Kidney Now!
Hi Charlotte,
I was diagnosed with a heart bridge this week and my doctor doesn’t seem concerned. She put me on a beta blocker which doesn’t seem to be doing much. Have you started taking beta blockers? It’s so funny how much of your post that I can relate to. Thank you for sharing your story.
It’s very difficult living with a myocardial bridge 😣I’m so happy that I’ve found a little support group after searching for one for the past seven months. It has only 21 members but it’s a start.😊
Hi All,
Last week I have been diagnosed with a myocardial bridge. I am 31 years old and was an avid runner. I live in South Africa.
I am having terrible pain, especially when i wake up and my doctor has put me on some beta-blocker tablet. It does not seem to ease the pain too much.
Ever since this diagnosis, I feel the world around me has collapsed and am very skeptical about what the future holds for me.
I am so grateful to have found this blog and the community of people commenting here. It was quite frustrating to note that there is so little literature on the net for this condition.
I have been wondering about how the medication helps in this condition (since this is a structural problem) or is it just a temporary fix? Would be great if someone could throw light on this matter.
Richard
Hi Richard if the tablets are not working for you, keep going back to the doctor and ask him to try others. I’m on medication- it doesn’t work all the time. Join the support group on FB. Type in myocardial bridge. It has 21 members. Hope it helps 😊
thank you so much . i have the exact same symptoms . i was diagnosed with a myocardial bridge. i cannot seem to get any answers and like you my bp is already low and i do not want to take meds. i really don’t want to give up running but it sounds like that might be the answer. i keep trying to ignore it but i don’t think that is good either. it was nice to hear someone else out there found some answers. thank you again