Find Hope for Your Heart
Your frustration is real. Living with a chronic disease like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) isn’t easy, especially with symptoms that can include shortness of breath, chest pressure, heart palpitations, lightheadedness and fainting. That’s why our supportive team of leading cardiology experts is determined to help you live your life to its fullest.
We can help you manage your symptoms, especially if you’re at high risk for serious cardiovascular complications. And we’ll work to empower you to overcome the limitations of this disorder so you can heal in body, mind and spirit.
We’re here to help you find the right physician or a location that’s convenient for you.
What Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common genetic condition impacting the cardiac muscle. Early treatment and diagnosis are critical to best manage symptoms, especially in patients at high risk for serious cardiovascular complications. Our physicians have dedicated experience treating the different clinical profiles of this condition, so you can rest assured that you're in capable and compassionate hands.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Symptoms to Know
-
People who have HCM may experience symptoms like:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pressure
- Heart palpitations
- Lightheadedness or fainting
Some of the clinical profiles of HCM may include:
- Congestive heart failure
- Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
- Sudden cardiac death (in a small subset of patients)
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Potential Causes
-
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is often inherited. Most often diagnosed in middle age, it can affect people at any age. Risk factors include:
- Alcoholism
- Coronary heart disease, heart attack or a viral infection that inflames the heart muscle
- Diabetes and other metabolic diseases
- Diseases that damage the heart, such as hemochromatosis, sarcoidosis or amyloidosis
- Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a family history of cardiomyopathy, heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest)
- High blood pressure
- History of syncope
- Severe obesity
Additionally, HCM may be associated wtih congestive heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Risk factors for congestive heart failure include:
- Obstruction
- Mitral insufficiency
- Diastolic dysfunction
- End-stage burnout
With sudden cardiac death, risk factors include:
- Family history
- A thick ventricle >3 cm
- Recurrent ventricular tachycardia
- History of syncope
- Comprehensive Care for a Complex Condition
-
A diagnosis of HCM can fill you with uncertainty. But you can rest easier knowing you’ll have support with solutions that strengthen your whole health. We want you to feel confident, connected and heard while you’re in our care.
Expert Collaborations
We believe the best way to support you in body, mind and spirit is to work together across our areas of expertise. Our approach is highly coordinated, and as our patient, you’ll have access to:
- Arrhythmia specialists
- Cardiovascular surgeons
- Geneticists
- Imaging specialists
- Interventional cardiologists
- Pediatric cardiologists*
- Transplant surgeons*
We’ll work together to provide effective treatment delivered with compassion.
*This specialty care is currently available in Florida only.
Your Journey to a Healthy Heart
Getting a hypertrophic diagnosis starts with testing, which could include:
- An echocardiogram
- An electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Cardiac MRI
- Electrophysiology testing with and/or without ablation
- Genetic testing
- Stress echocardiogram
Depending on your unique HCM, your doctors may recommend treatments like:
- Ablation: removes extra tissue to reduce thickening and help the heart beat better
- Heart transplant: for severely damaged heart
- Medications: can lower blood pressure, reduce excess fluid and help the heart pump better
- Lifestyle changes: stopping alcohol consumption, monitoring and lowering salt intake
- Surgically implanted devices: to help maintain proper heart rhythm
If the obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle to the body is severe, the thickened heart muscle can be “trimmed” using one of two surgical techniques:
- Alcohol septal ablation: a heart catheterization procedure used to introduce a catheter into one of the small arteries that brings blood to the abnormally thickened septum; alcohol is injected into the artery to reduce the size of the muscle
- Surgical myectomy: open-heart surgery to cut away the portion of the muscle that is thickened, relieving the obstruction to blood flow
Heart Experts You Can Count On
If you’re living with HCM, you deserve a heart specialist who understands the complexities of this diagnosis and, most importantly, how to help you feel whole. Our cardiologists and other heart experts are ready to help you manage HCM with proven treatments and uncommon compassion at every step.
Find Support From People Who Understand
As you navigate your HCM diagnosis and treatment, take comfort knowing you're not the only one walking this path. In our AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute support groups and programs, you can give and receive support and encouragement alongside people who understand your journey.
Expert, Award-Winning Care
HCM Center of Excellence
AdventHealth Orlando is a recognized hypertrophic cardiomyopathy center of excellence — and the only one in Central Florida. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality care for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to every patient we serve.
National Leader in Aortic Valve Surgery
AdventHealth Orlando is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s best hospitals for aortic valve surgery
National Leader in Heart Bypass Surgery
AdventHealth Orlando is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s best hospitals for heart bypass surgery.
Find Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Care Near You
An HCM diagnosis doesn't have to keep you from doing what you love. You can manage it with the right treatments and compassionate care. Explore your options for treatment close to home at our locations.