Patient education: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in adults (The Basics)

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? — Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ("HCM") is a condition that causes the muscle in the heart to get too bulky (figure 1). When this happens, the heart can have trouble pumping blood as well as it should. This can lead to symptoms, such as trouble breathing, chest pain, and fainting.

HCM is caused by a genetic problem that runs in families.

What are the symptoms of HCM? — People with HCM might or might not have symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they can start during childhood, the teen years, or adulthood.

Symptoms can include:

●Trouble breathing, especially during exercise

●Feeling tired

●Chest pain, which sometimes gets worse with activity

●Fainting, or feeling like you might faint

●Feeling as though your heart is beating very fast or skipping beats

Is there a test for HCM? — Yes. If your doctor or nurse suspects that you have HCM, they will probably order tests. These usually include:

●Echocardiogram (also called an "echo") – This test uses sound waves to create an image of the heart (figure 2). This lets doctors measure the thickness of the walls of the heart, measure the size of the spaces or "chambers" inside the heart, and see how the heart pumps.

●Electrocardiogram ("ECG") – This test measures the electrical activity in your heart (figure 3). It can show if your heart beats in a normal pattern and rhythm.

Depending on your situation, you might need other tests, too.

Since HCM runs in families, your doctor or nurse might also suggest testing your family members for the disorder.

What problems can HCM cause? — Some people with this condition have no health problems because of it. But others can have:

●Heart failure, a condition in which the heart does not pump as well as it should

●Heart rhythm disorders

●Stroke

●Infection of a heart valve

●Sudden death

How is HCM treated? — People with HCM should see a cardiologist. This is a doctor who specializes in the heart.

Some people might not need treatment, but many do. For people who need treatment, the type of treatment depends on what symptoms they have and how severe their condition is.

Treatments can include:

●Medicines to relieve chest pain or trouble breathing

●Medicines to control the heart's rhythm

●Surgery to implant a device called an "implantable cardioverter-defibrillator" ("ICD"). This device can get the heart beating normally again if it goes out of rhythm.

●Surgery or other treatments to remove parts of the heart muscle. This is done only when medicines do not work.

What if I want to get pregnant? — Talk to your doctor before you start trying to get pregnant. Most people with HCM can have normal pregnancies. But it's important to see a cardiologist during pregnancy. Some people need to change their medicines before they start trying to have a baby.

Is there anything I can do on my own to protect my heart and my health? — Yes. You should be careful to always drink enough water. People with HCM sometimes have problems, such as fainting, when they do not get enough fluids. But some people with HCM have to be careful if they have too much salt and water. Ask your doctor about how much salt is OK to have in your diet.

You should also ask your doctor what types of physical activity are safe for you. In many cases, people with HCM need to avoid some kinds of activity.

More on this topic

Patient education: Heart failure (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Atrial fibrillation (The Basics)
Patient education: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (The Basics)
Patient education: Echocardiogram (The Basics)
Patient education: ECG and stress test (The Basics)

Patient education: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Beyond the Basics)