Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes thickened which makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the body with each heartbeat. Many sufferers of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy exhibit few, if any, symptoms, which makes it common for the condition to go misdiagnosed. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is primarily passed down through families and is brought on by a change or mutation in one or more genes. A child has a 50% risk of inheriting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from a parent who has it.
Most hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients are symptom-free and experience stability throughout their lives. Others, though, do exhibit symptoms. Some people discover that as they age, their symptoms get worse. This might be a result of their heart muscle gradually stiffening and becoming more difficult to pump. Common symptoms include:
Chest pain, especially with exercise
Shortness of breath, especially with exercise
Fatigue
abnormal heart rhythms
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, and abdomen
If you experience any of the following symptoms for longer than a few minutes, call your local emergency number: irregular or fast heartbeat, chest pain, difficulty breathing.
The main cause is gene mutations that result in the thickening of the heart muscle.
Typically, families pass on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (inherited). Fifty percent of people who have one parent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy will also have the disease's genetic mutation.
Ask your doctor about screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy if you have siblings or parents who have the condition.
Adding to the medical and family history and the physical examination, the cardiologist may request the following tests to diagnose hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:
Echocardiogram to assess the thickness of the heart muscle and the heart's blood flow.
Electrocardiogram to examine the electrical activity of the heart and to show any irregular heart rhythm.
Exercise/stress test to examine how the heart works when it is more active.
Cardiac MRI to provide information about how the heart and its valves work
Treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy aims to reduce symptoms and prevent sudden cardiac death in high-risk patients. Treatment is based on how severe the symptoms are. The best course of action for your condition will be discussed by you and your healthcare professional. Following a healthy lifestyle in terms of exercising, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a normal weight, and limiting alcohol and smoking can decrease the risk of complications related to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Medications
Beta blockers such as metoprolol, propranolol, atenolol
Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil or diltiazem
Heart rhythm drugs such as amiodarone, disopyramide
Blood thinners such as warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban to prevent blood clots
Surgeries
Septal myectomy: if the symptoms do not get better after taking medicine, this open-heart surgery might be suggested. It includes removing a portion of the thickened septum, a wall between the heart chambers.
Septal ablation: alcohol is used in this treatment to dissolve the swollen heart muscle.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD): a tiny device to track the heartbeat continuously. Like a pacemaker, it is inserted in the chest.
Pacemaker: to control the heart rate.
Heart transplant: may be considered in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with advanced end-stage disease.
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