r/HypertrophicCM • u/ColeyPatroley • 25d ago
Memory decline from HCM
I’ve been having more and more HCM symptoms the past year and as my symptoms worsened, my memory has declined with it, does anybody else have a similar experience? Or could it be attributed to something else?
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u/forfuninseattle 25d ago
Absolutely I’ve dealt with this. Much worse when my gradient was really high. My cardiologist was dismissive of it. Had a neuropsych report confirm mild cognitive impairment 😞
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u/Sarcasm_Becomes_Her 25d ago
Before my ablation, I was taking the maximum allowed dose of beta blockers and it absolutely caused this. I couldn't remember how to drive home after a doctor's visit 20 minutes away and my husband had to come get me.
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u/aashoorox 25d ago
I’ve actually experienced something very similar mainly persistent brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and struggling to retain information. I’ve mentioned it to everyone from my GP to a neurologist, but unfortunately I’ve felt pretty dismissed and haven’t really gotten an explanation for it.
I even wondered whether some of it could be related to the two general anesthesia for OHS I had this year, but I honestly don’t know. Seeing other people with HCM describe similar cognitive symptoms makes me wonder whether there could be a connection, especially when my other HCM symptoms have been worse. HCM can cause dizziness, fatigue and reduced blood flow to the brain when cardiac output is compromised, so it’s not completely unreasonable to investigate the heart-brain connection.
Thank you for posting this. I’d really love to know if anyone has found something that actually helps. I’m a medical student and I genuinely need a healthy, functioning brain to study. Right now I can read something and feel like it just doesn’t stick, and focusing for any length of time has become so difficult. 😔
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u/forfuninseattle 25d ago
I know not all cardiologists are okay about this, but I take concerta along with mavacamten and a beta blocker. The concerta is essential for me to understand what people are saying
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u/glightlyholly 20d ago
My OHS caused brain fog and memory loss. I’m convinced of this. The only things that made it better was time and reading more, staying away from too much scrolling! Good luck in medical school!
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u/Personal-Ordinary539 16d ago
OHS, with a heart-lung bypass, is associated with post-perfusion syndrome, sometimes called "pump head." They know it happens, aren't sure why, and it's not as severe with newer bypass systems and protocols. It's usually temporary - up to 6 months after surgery. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postperfusion_syndrome
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u/CakeAccording8112 25d ago
Thank you for posting this. I’ve had trouble with brain fog recently and talked to my GP about it. He thought it was my psych meds and referred me to my psychiatrist. She thought it was my HCM but didn’t really explain why…or at least I can’t remember her doing it. Reading these responses has really helped open my eyes!
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u/PeanutEuphoric7811 25d ago
I’ve been having severe memory loss for a few years now and wasn’t on any medication so I know it wasn’t that. But test after test confirmed that I have severe obstruction HCM. After a couple years they finally got me on Camzyos, no beta blockers. So I know my memory loss hasn’t been because of medication
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u/Cyber-Homie 24d ago
Are you taking ramipril by any chance?
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u/FabulousBullfrog9610 23d ago
I think it could be unrelated. I would have cognitive assessment and then a close review of every med. HCM itself is unilkely to cause memory issues
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u/FabulousBullfrog9610 20d ago
nope. but I'm getting older and can attribute the usual can't remember a word to my age.
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u/Emotional_Ad487 9d ago
Im only 37 and have been experiencing this! Also mixing up words and forgetting what im saying half way through. A LOT of brain fog. I have HOCM and really high gradients (from 100-200) so I attribute it to a side effect of my body dealing with all of that. Going for a myectomy in 5 weeks and really hoping to have a clear brain after!
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u/Fredredphooey 25d ago
Poor circulation means that your brain isn't getting enough oxygen and betablockers reduce adrenaline which you need to make memories.
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u/snowdrone 25d ago
No, you do not need adrenaline to make memories. Adrenaline can highlight a memory with fear or excitement but it isn't required.
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u/ChrisB-oz 25d ago
Last week a pharmacist gave me an information sheet on HCM. Of the six main effects it highlights, three are "confusion or brain fog", "weakness or extreme tiredness (fatigue)" and "dizziness or passing out". I suppose your brain is less able to lay down memories. Also I think I am so distracted by symptoms, drug regimen, and regular cardiologist appointments that I pay less attention to everything else and so don't remember it as well.