Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Treated in Baltimore

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which part or all of the heart muscle becomes thick or stiff. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood and rest between heartbeats. A number of conditions can lead to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:

• Coronary artery disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Some infections

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can run in families and can affect people of all ages.

Some people have no symptoms and don’t realize they have this condition. In others, it can develop quickly and symptoms are severe. Symptoms may include:

• Chest pain
• Fainting
• High blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness
• Heart palpitations
• Swelling in ankles, feet, legs, abdomen or neck veins

Diagnostic tests may for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include:

• Physical exam and family medical history
• Holter monitor
• Chest  X-ray
• EKG
• Echocardiography
• MRI of heart
• Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)
• Cardiac catheterization
• Blood tests

If blood testing is positive for the gene that causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the immediate family should also be tested.  Undetected hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common cause of sudden death in young people.

Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms, condition complications, patient age and overall health. Treatment options include:

• Symptom control using medications such as anti-arrhythmics, blood thinners, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers
• Surgery
• Pacemaker or defibrillator
• Alcohol septal ablation

Some patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have few symptoms and don’t require extensive treatment, but it is important to have a thorough evaluation and ongoing care by a fully qualified cardiologist.