How does HCM affect the heart?

How does HCM affect the heart?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex type of heart disease that affects the heart muscle. It causes thickening of the heart muscle (especially the ventricles, or lower heart chambers), left ventricular stiffness, mitral valve changes and cellular changes.

Where is HCM best heard?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disorder which causes hypertrophy of the interventricular septum of the heart, leading to obstruction of left ventricular outflow during systole. The murmur that is pathognomonic for HCM is a crescendo-decrescendo holosystolic murmur best heard at the left sternal boarder.

Can you reverse HCM?

Exercise Can Prevent and Reverse the Severity of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Is HCM fatal?

Without emergency treatment, sudden cardiac arrest can be fatal. HCM is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in people who are under 30. You might be at higher risk for sudden cardiac death if you have one or more of the following: a family history of sudden cardiac death.

Can you drive with HCM?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) √- May drive and need not notify the DVLA. There must be no other disqualifying condition.

What is the murmur in HCM?

The murmur is a high-pitched, crescendo-decrescendo, midsystolic murmur heard best at the left lower sternal border. The murmur of HOCM does not radiate to the carotids like that of aortic stenosis. The important auscultatory features of HOCM that distinguish it from AS relate to dynamic auscultation.

What causes HCM murmur?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is usually caused by abnormal genes (gene mutations) that cause the heart muscle to grow abnormally thick. In most people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the muscular wall (septum) between the two bottom chambers of the heart (ventricles) becomes thicker than normal.

Can you exercise with HCM?

Current guidelines recommend restricting competitive sports participation for individuals with HCM to low-static/low-dynamic sports such as golf or bowling,1-3 and vigorous recreational exercise has also been recommended against.

What is end stage HCM?

One of the most serious manifestations of HCM, apart from sudden death, is progressive systolic heart failure (HF) often coupled with ventricular dilatation, which for the lack of a better name, is referred to as end-stage HCM.

Are you born with HCM?

People are born with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Most commonly, the heart muscle thickens during the teenage years. However, symptoms of the disease can appear later in life. Many people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy don’t know they have it, and the disease may not cause any symptoms.

Can you drink alcohol with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

NYU Langone doctors recommend that people with this condition limit or avoid alcohol. Alcoholic drinks can worsen obstruction in the heart, which reduce blood flow to the body. Alcohol consumption can also promote weight gain, which can worsen symptoms.