Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Overview

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heart disease in which part of the heart muscle thickens without an obvious cause. When it obstructs blood flow it may be called hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). The most commonly affected areas are the interventricular septum and ventricles, so the heart cannot pump blood effectively. The most common cause is genetic, inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Symptoms

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• Syncope
• Fatigue

Treatment

Use beta-blockers or non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers to relieve symptoms. Septal myectomy or alcohol ablation may be performed for severe obstruction, and an ICD is implanted in high-risk patients to prevent sudden death.

Dietary advice

Avoid overeating and heavy drinking, stay well hydrated, and eat a low-salt, light diet.