Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy 101
What every student-athlete should know
The American Heart Association warns that while you may find it difficult to conceive of the idea of an energetic student-athlete having a cardiac diagnosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common condition responsible for sudden cardiac death in young athletes, accounting for 40% of sudden cardiac death cases.
About 1 in every 500 adults living in the U.S. has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to the American Heart Association, but more than 80% of individuals who experience this condition show no signs or symptoms before sudden cardiac death. While sudden cardiac death is rare, it can occur during exercise or in its aftermath. It is therefore important for student-athletes and their loved ones to learn more about this condition and talk to a doctor about their risk.
With proper knowledge and the support of a skilled care team, it is possible to manage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with heart-healthy actions to prevent complications or worsening cardiovascular conditions like atrial fibrillation (a quivering or irregular heartbeat), stroke, or heart failure.
What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common form of inherited heart disease and can affect people of any age. It’s defined by thickening and stiffening of the walls of the heart. The heart’s chambers cannot fill up or pump blood out adequately, so the heart is unable to function normally. There are different types of this condition. Most people have a form of the disease in which the wall that separates the two bottom chambers of the heart (the septum) becomes enlarged and restricts blood flow out of the heart (obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). However, sometimes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs without significant blocking of blood flow (nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). The heart’s main pumping chamber is still thickened and may become increasingly stiff, reducing the amount of blood taken in then pumped out to the body with each heartbeat.
What are possible symptoms?
Symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain, heart palpitations, and fatigue. Their severity can vary, if you do have symptoms or a family history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death, it is a good idea to speak to your doctor.
For some people, symptoms can worsen, and new symptoms can appear over time, resulting in people harsher effects and a diminished ability to engage in activities, which can be one of the most challenging aspects of the disease. Keeping your health care team aware of any new or changing symptoms helps in developing a plan to manage these symptoms and reduce their impact.
How is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosed?
Medical history, family history, a physical exam, and diagnostic test results all factor into a diagnosis. An echocardiogram assesses the thickness of the heart muscle and observes blood flow from the heart.
If anyone in your family has been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, other heart diseases, or told they had thick heart walls, share that information with your doctor and discuss the need for genetic testing. Because this condition is hereditary, first-degree relatives should be checked. Learn more at heart.org/HCMStudentAthlete.
Article Source: American Heart Association and Family Features