What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)?

A disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) causes the heart muscle to become abnormally enlarged. In medical language, this condition is known as hypertrophied. The large muscle of the heart obstructs the flow of blood while pumping.

Most people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy lead normal lives without any serious complications. But it can be difficult for some people. Left untreated, over time it can cause serious complications such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or disruption of the heart’s electrical system, which can lead to arrhythmias and sudden death. In Prior consult with Best Heart Specialist in Basavanagudi.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – A disease that makes heart muscles thick

Symptoms Of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

The symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are often mild and people ignore them as a result of fatigue or weakness. However, if it is ignored and untreated for a long time, it can lead to serious complications.

Common visible symptoms include:-

• Abnormal heartbeat

• Shortness of breath during physical activity

• Chest pain and discomfort

• Fainting during or after exercise

• Heart murmur

What are the health risks associated with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

For your information, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disease. If your parents have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, you have a 50% chance of developing the disease.

So if someone in your genetic relation has this disease, then without taking any risk and avoiding health complications in future, you can contact Dr Ameet Oswal, the best cardiologist in Bangalore.

As mentioned above, most people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can lead a normal life. Most people do not face serious discomfort due to this. But it has some health risks which are given below –

• Atrial fibrillation

Abnormal functioning of the heart’s electrical system can cause an irregular or rapid heartbeat, which also increases the risk of blood clots that can lead to stroke.

• Blocked blood flow

Thick heart muscles can cause blockage or reduced blood flow, which can cause severe chest pain, shortness of breath, etc.

• Dilated cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy sometimes causes enlargement of the ventricles, which weakens the heart’s pumping ability and can lead to serious health complications.

• Heart failure

The constricted muscles cause the heart to not be able to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to different parts of the body, which causes heart failure.

• Cardiac arrest

However, in rare cases, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes heart-related death. Most people are not aware of HCM until serious health complications occur.

Treatment Of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

• Being a hereditary disease, there is no prevention for HCM. But it is possible to prevent its complications through treatment by identifying it in the early stages. If you have a family history of heart disease or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, you may undergo genetic testing to diagnose HCM. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can cause serious health complications.

• First aid can be done with medicines. While in some cases a procedure called alcohol septal ablation may be required to treat the patients. In this procedure, a catheter is inserted through a blood vessel into the artery that carries blood to your septum. After this, alcohol is injected so that the muscles of the heart become thinner and the flow of blood starts smoothly again.

Conclusion

Ignoring hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can put your life at risk. So consult your doctor if you have any family history. If you would like more information about heart conditions, contact  Best Cardiologist in Basvanagudi