WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease of your heart muscle that causes your ventricles to become thick and stiff. The ventricles are the 2 lower chambers of your heart. They pump blood to your lungs and the rest of your body. When the ventricles are thick or stiff, your heart cannot fill with enough blood. This decreases the blood and oxygen supply to the rest of your body. HCM may be a genetic disease that you are born with. What are the signs and symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? You may have no signs or symptoms or you may have the following: - Chest pain or trouble breathing
- Feeling dizzy or faint when you stand up quickly or exercise
- Fatigue and weakness
- Strong, rapid, or irregular heartbeats that feel like pounding in your chest
- Swollen or bulging neck veins
How is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will listen to your heart and lungs. He may check your abdomen, ankles, and feet for swelling. Tell him if you have other health conditions or family members with heart disease. Tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs. You may need the following tests: - Blood and urine tests: A sample of your blood or urine may be sent to the lab for tests. These may help find the cause of your HCM. They may also tell if your organs, such as your liver and kidneys, are working correctly.
- EKG: This test records the electrical activity of your heart. It may show abnormal heartbeats or signals from changes to the heart muscle.
- Chest x-ray: This is used to check the size of your heart and look for fluid around your heart and lungs.
- An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound. Sound waves are used to show the structure and function of your heart.
- Radionuclide ventriculography: This test uses dye to show the size of your left ventricle. It can also show how much blood is pumped out of your heart with each heartbeat.
- CT scan: This test is also called a CAT scan. An x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your heart. Healthcare providers can check your heart, the size of your ventricles, and see if you have fluid around your heart and lungs. You may be given a dye before the pictures are taken to help healthcare providers see the pictures better. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast dye.
- Cardiac MRI (CMR): This scan uses powerful magnets and a computer to take pictures of your heart. A CMR may show the size of your heart and the thickness of your ventricles. It can also show if you have iron buildup in your heart. You may be given dye to help the pictures show up better. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast dye. Do not enter the CMR room with anything metal. Metal can cause serious injury. Tell the healthcare provider if you have any metal in or on your body.
- Cardiac catheterization is a procedure used to look for or treat a heart condition. A catheter is inserted in your arm, neck, or groin and moved into your heart. Contrast liquid is injected into an artery and x-rays of your blood flow are taken. Tell a healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid.
- Myocardial biopsy: During this test, a small sample of tissue is taken from your heart. It may help healthcare providers learn the cause of your HCM.
What medicines are used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? Treatment of HCM depends on how much the disease has affected your health. The goal of treatment is to stop the problems caused by HCM and keep the disease from getting worse. You may have one or more of the following treatments: - Blood thinners: Blood thinners help prevent blood clots. These include aspirin and warfarin. Take your medicine exactly as directed. Tell your healthcare provider if you forgot to take it or if you took too much. Blood thinners may cause you to bleed or bruise more easily. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric shaver. Wear medical alert jewelry or carry a card that says you take a blood thinner. Tell all healthcare providers, including your dentist, that you take this medicine.
- Heart medicine: This medicine helps strengthen or regulate your heartbeat.
- Blood pressure medicine: This is given to lower your blood pressure. A controlled blood pressure helps protect your organs, such as your heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys. Take your blood pressure medicine exactly as directed.
What treatments are used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? - Pacemaker: This device is placed under your skin to help regulate your heartbeats.
- Implantable cardiac defibrillator: A cardiac defibrillator is placed under your skin to help prevent life-threatening arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats).
- Heart surgery: You may need surgery to remove part of the thickened muscle. You may also need to have a heart valve repaired or replaced so your heart can pump enough blood to your body. Heart valves allow blood flow between the chambers of your heart.
- Septal ablation: This is a procedure where healthcare providers use a cardiac catheter to inject a solution of alcohol into the thickened part of the heart wall (septum). This can help shrink that part of the muscle and increase the amount of blood the heart can pump.
What are the risks of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? You may bleed more than expected or get an infection after surgery. Without treatment, your symptoms may get worse. You may have abnormal heartbeats, trouble breathing, or get a blood clot. The clot may travel to your heart or brain and cause a heart attack or stroke. Fluid may build up in your lungs and body. This may make it hard for you to breathe. Your liver and kidneys may fail. These problems can be life-threatening. How can I manage my symptoms? - Check your weight daily: Weight gain can be a sign of extra fluid in your body. Weigh yourself at the same time every morning. Use the same scale and weigh yourself before you eat and after you urinate. Record your weight and the time you weighed yourself in a diary. Bring your diary to your visits with your healthcare provider.
- Limit your liquids: Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you. Your risk for fluid buildup and swelling increases if you drink too much liquid.
- Manage your health conditions: Health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, may make your symptoms worse and increase your risk for other heart problems.
- Exercise: Ask your healthcare provider about the best exercise plan for you. Exercise may help decrease your symptoms and improve your heart function.
- Eat a variety of healthy foods: Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, and fish. Limit the amount of sodium (salt) you eat. Too much sodium can cause swelling and make your symptoms worse. Ask how much sodium you can have each day. Pay careful attention to sodium content on food labels.
- Do not drink alcohol, smoke, or use drugs: If you smoke it is never too late to quit. Do not take any illegal street drugs. Alcohol, smoking, or illegal drugs can make your heart condition worse. Ask for information if you need help quitting.
When should I contact my healthcare provider? - You gain weight for no known reason.
- You feel weak or more tired than usual.
- You have increased swelling in your legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen.
- Your symptoms return or get worse.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
When should I seek immediate care or call 911? - You feel like your heart is beating faster than normal, fluttering, or jumping in your chest.
- You urinate less than usual or not at all.
- You have chest pain that may be worse when you take a deep breath or cough. You may cough up blood.
- You have a sudden cold sweat, especially with chest discomfort or trouble breathing.
- You feel very lightheaded or dizzy, especially with chest discomfort or trouble breathing.
- You have pain or discomfort in your back, neck, jaw, abdomen, or one or both of your arms.
- You have a severe headache or vision loss.
- You have weakness in an arm or leg.
- You are confused or have difficulty speaking.
- You suddenly have trouble breathing.
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