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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), or thickening of heart muscle, is a genetic condition. People with the gene variations that lead to the disease can experience symptoms at any age. While HCM can lead to severe complications without treatment, the right care can keep you healthy.
At the Center for Structural Heart Disease, our renowned doctors provide effective management and treatment to protect your heart.
Our experienced team has provided minimally invasive treatment for HCM for more than two decades. When needed, team members can also provide surgery. We provide the accurate diagnosis and treatment options you need.
HCM occurs when heart muscle thickens. It affects the wall (septum) between the heart’s left and right sides, primarily the bottom section that divides the ventricles. It can also occur in other sections of the heart’s wall, but not as frequently.
HCM typically takes years to develop — when the disease is diagnosed, it’s usually when someone is a teenager or young adult. If symptoms occur, they usually come on gradually, though they can sometimes appear suddenly. Once HCM forms, it grows worse over time and can cause changes in the heart’s function that include:
It’s important to receive proper care for HCM, as the condition can lead to complications such as heart failure. While medications can often treat heart failure, some people end up needing a device to assist their heart or a heart transplant.
In rare cases, arrhythmias from HCM can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, when the heart stops beating without warning. Without immediate treatment, sudden cardiac arrest can prove fatal.
HCM is caused by changes in certain genes — changes that are inherited from a parent. These genetic changes affect the proteins that build heart muscle. But just because you have one of these changes doesn’t mean you’ll develop HCM. Doctors are still learning why some people with genetic changes develop the disease and others don’t.
Additionally, certain factors can make hypertrophic cardiomyopathy worse:
People with HCM may not have any symptoms. Others experience:
Because HCM can cause severe complications, you should see your doctor if you have any symptoms or a family history of the disease. If your doctor refers you to Henry Ford, you can visit us at our main campus, Henry Ford Hospital, Jackson (Henry Ford Allegiance), Clinton Township (Henry Ford Macomb), or West Bloomfield (Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital).
Our team performs a complete evaluation when first meeting with you, including:
Our team works together to review your symptoms, heart function, age, health and needs. Your heart doctor then works with you to develop a customized treatment plan.
You may not need treatment for HCM if you don’t have symptoms. In such cases, we work with your primary care doctor to monitor your heart at scheduled checkups. If you do have symptoms, our doctors offer several treatment options for HCM, including:
Let us help you schedule an appointment.
Know your heart risk in just 5 minutes! Take our Get Heart Smart quiz today and you will get a personalized heart risk report that could help you live healthier and longer.
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