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Collin

So.. I was one of the most athletic guys in my class (in the basketball team) and never had any problems or symtoms of the heartcondition known as HCM, before I, and some other fellows on my basketball team, were scheduled for an obligatory heart test. The reason for this was, that we were under heavy training for the upcoming season, and so since my dad had had some heart problems in the past, I needed to get this test.

Very throughout test, including an ECG and ultrasound of the heart, diagnosed me with "HCM" (Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).

Here is some info about it:

http://www.uchc.edu/ocomm/features/s...gathletes.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HCM
http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/car...athy/a/HCM.htm

well, at first I was really scared - and of course, I was told I had to give up basketball for good, which was very difficut for me since I used to play more or less 2 hours / 4 times a week.

I have never had any symptoms of this at all, and the doc said its very hard to determine how bad this condition is in the individual.

And here is where the marijuana comes in to play. I have been smoking now for a couple of months ocasionally with friends (i.e. once/twice a week) - should I stop it completely? Can it affect my heart? The only happiness I really have now is actually smoking with my friends those 2 times a week, because what mattered most in my life has kindah been taken from me

Though what really freaks me out is this "sudden death" thing, which is an almost inevitable risk you have when having HCM.. you know, you just die suddenly..

Do I really have to stop it completely?

I asked the doctor sort of indirectly if you can "smoke" when having this problem, and he said its not a big risk factor to smoke, but if I smoke of course would be a good idea to stop.

Seriously though, now I cant even enjoy my "highs" anymore because I am afraid I might die suddenly.. Plus this sudden death thing, you cant really do anything about it. The heart stops suddenly, so one can only be saved if the ambulance people are there and do defibrillation within 2-3 minutes (and come on, how likely is that?)

Anyone who knows anything about this? What the hell should I do?

 

nerphroll

As hard as this may sound, you should stop smoking or using marijuana in any way.
It is known that marijuana speeds up heart rate, and also in very rare circumstances, it can trigger ventricular arrhythmias. Again, this is RARE, but in someone with underlying structural heart disease as yourself, you already are at risk for cardiac arrhythmias, sometimes minor, and yes, sometimes culminating in "sudden cardiac death".
MArijuana could potentially lower your own heart's threshold for experiencing a deadly arrhythmia.
I assume you've visited with a cardiologist by this point. Make sure you discuss the option of having an AICD (automated implantable cardio defibrillator) placed, so that if one day you do suffer a potentially fatal arrhythmia, you can be shocked out of it.
Sorry for the bad news about the pot, it's just the safer thing to do to avoid it. I'm sure your friends will understand, and don't let it stop you from spending time with them.
I'm sorry aboutyour diagnosis, but it is not "inevitable" that it will kill you. Talk to your doctor about the utility of an AICD for yourself.
Good luck.

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nerphroll

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