Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick (hypertrophied). This thickening can make it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively.
🫀 What happens in HCM?
- The walls of the heart (especially the left ventricle) become thick.
- The thick muscle may block or reduce blood flow out of the heart.
- The heart can also become stiff, affecting how it fills with blood.
⚠️ Symptoms
Some people have no symptoms, but others may experience:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath (especially during exercise)
- Fainting (syncope)
- Heart palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
- Fatigue
🧬 Causes
- Most commonly genetic (runs in families)
- Caused by mutations affecting heart muscle proteins
🚨 Complications
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- Heart failure
- Increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest (especially in young athletes)
🧪 Diagnosis
Doctors may use:
- Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart)
- ECG (electrocardiogram)
- MRI of the heart
- Genetic testing (in some cases)
💊 Treatment
Treatment depends on severity:
- Medications (to reduce symptoms and improve heart function)
- Lifestyle changes (avoid intense exertion in some cases)
- Implantable devices (like defibrillators for high-risk patients)
- Surgery or procedures (to remove thickened muscle in severe cases)
🧠 Important to know
- Many people with HCM live normal lives with proper care.
- Early diagnosis is key, especially if there is a family history.