Patient education: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in adults (The Basics)

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? — 

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or "HCM," is a condition that makes the muscle in the heart get too thick (figure 1). When this happens, the heart can have trouble pumping blood as well as it should. This can lead to symptoms.

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

What are the symptoms of HCM? — 

Some people have no 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 you have HCM, they will probably order tests. These usually include:

●Echocardiogram (also called an "echo") – This uses sound waves to create images 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 measures the electrical activity in the heart (figure 3). It can show if the 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 have no health problems because of HCM. 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 their symptoms and how severe their condition is.

Treatments can include:

●Medicines to relieve chest pain or trouble breathing

●Medicines to control the heart's rhythm

●Medicines to help the heart pump more easily

●Surgery to implant 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 can I do on my own to feel better? — 

You should:

●Ask your doctor or nurse how much water and salt to have – For some people with HCM, not getting enough fluids can cause problems, such as fainting. Other people with HCM need to be careful to not have too much salt and water.

●Take all your medicines – Your doctor might prescribe medicines to help with chest pain, trouble breathing, or your heart's rhythm.

●Follow your doctor's instructions about physical activity – In many cases, people with HCM need to avoid some kinds of activity. Ask your doctor what level of exercise is right for you.

●Make healthy lifestyle changes – These include:

•Eating a healthy diet

•Not smoking

•Avoiding or limiting alcohol

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.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you have symptoms of a stroke, which might include:

●Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on 1 side of the body

●Confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding

●Trouble seeing in 1 or both eyes

●Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination

●Severe headache with no known cause

Call your doctor or nurse for advice if:

●You feel tired or weak.

●You feel lightheaded or dizzy.

●You have trouble breathing – For some people, this leads them to be less active or need extra pillows at night to sleep.

●Your heartbeat races (even while resting), skips beats, or beats out of sync.

●You have swelling in your feet, ankles, and legs, or in your belly.

●You have chest pain.

More on this topic

Patient education: Heart failure (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: Overview of heart arrhythmias (The Basics)
Patient education: Stroke (The Basics)
Patient education: Sudden cardiac arrest (The Basics)

Patient education: Heart failure (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Stroke symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics)