HCM, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Hypertrophic (hai-per-trow-fik) cardiomyopathy (car-dee-ow-mai-op-athy), or HCM, is a condition where the muscle in the walls of the left heart chamber (ventricle) work harder and become thicker than normal.
As the walls thicken, they can sometimes block (obstruct) the passage out of the heart, making it more difficult for blood to be pumped around the body with each heartbeat. This type of HCM is known as obstructive HCM, sometimes referred to as oHCM, HCM with obstruction, or HOCM.
Approximately 1 in 500 people in the UK have obstructive HCM
Symptoms and complications of obstructive HCM
Obstructive HCM makes it difficult for your heart muscle to relax, so your heart must work harder and use more energy to pump blood out of the heart
Potential symptoms of obstructive HCM
Shortness of breath
(particularly when exercising
or walking on an incline)
Abnormal heart rhythms
Chest pain
Dizziness / feeling lightheaded
Fainting / syncope
Tiredness
People with obstructive HCM may experience additional symptoms that are not listed here. Please talk to your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing.
Obstructive HCM is a chronic disease that may worsen over time. As it progresses, it can lead to other health issues, including:
- Heart failure
- Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat that often causes the heart to beat too quickly)
- Stroke
- Sudden cardiac death (occurs rarely in under 1% of people with obstructive HCM)
HCM can run in families
HCM can sometimes be caused by genetics, which means that one of your relatives could have it as well
Talk to your doctor if you are worried about anyone in your family having the condition. They may be able to refer you to a counsellor, genetic counsellor, or psychologist in your local area, who can help you to understand your condition and share advice for how to talk to your family about obstructive HCM