Hypertrophiccardiomyopathy - HCM - is a genetic disease of the heart muscle, characterised by hypertrophy of mainly the left ventricular muscle. It is one of the causes of death in young people, especially athletes. It occurs just as frequently in women as in men. There is a familial predisposition to HCM so people at risk should be diagnosed for the disease.
Symptoms and course hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
The clinical course can vary and symptoms can manifest at any age. However, not all people with a genetic defect will develop them.
The most common symptom of HCM is:
- exertional dyspnoea,
- sometimes chest pain,
- palpitations,
- dizziness,
- fainting.
Sometimes the first symptom can be atrial fibrillation, other arrhythmias, or sudden death - often at a young age, especially in people involved in competitive sport.
When to go to the doctor and treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Everyone with the condition should be under regular medical supervision. In some people, medication is used to prevent heart failure, arrhythmias, deaths and improve quality of life (e.g. beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, etc.)
Treatment hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
HCM may be indicated by sudden deaths from cardiac causes in the family - especially in people at a young age. If there is a family history of HCM, one should undergo screening for the syndrome, including DNA testing, ECG and echocardiography, and be under regular follow-up by a cardiologist.
