Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy also referred to as HCM is a disease of the heart muscle. It is also known as Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis or IHSS.
This heart disease is listed as a 'rare' disease because it affects less than 200,000 people in the US population. Cardiomyopathy is a pretty general term affecting the heart muscle itself, while 'hypertrophic cardiomyopathy' refers to a specific and genetic condition which usually shows a familial pattern. In short, it is a heart muscle disease that is inherited. The heart muscle becomes too thick to function properly. The thickening of the heart muscle in some circustances causes an obstruction to the blood flow out of the heart.
This disease has also been called 'Athlete's Heart'.
It has caused 'sudden death' among athletes who engage in strenuous sports such as basketball and football. It causes half of the sudden death cases involving athletes under the age of 35.
However, this disease is not solely attributed to athletes. It affects people of all ages, including young children. If a parent is diagnosed with HCM it is crucial that the children also be checked. How? A simple Echocardiogram which uses sound waves to provide a two dimensional image of the heart.
There is no cure for HOCM. Symptoms can be regulated with medications and in some cases pacemakers can improve the condition. When the symptoms become worse (symptomatic) there are surgical options to consider. Myectomy, is an invasive procedure, where a portion of the obstructive heart muscle known as the septum is excised to increase the blood outflow from the heart. Septal Ablation, an uninvasive procedure is a new technique in which an alcohol solution is injected into an artery supplying the part of the heart that causes the obstruction. The result is a localized heart attack of this region of the muscle and will decrease the degree of obstruction.
I was diagnosed with HOCM when I was 48 years old. At the age of 54 my symptoms were getting worse ( shortness of breath, couldn't sleep lying down, dizziness) and my cardiologist recommended a Myectomy. I had the surgery done in February 2007. It's been nearly a year since my surgery and I feel wonderful. I also had a pacemaker/ICD unit implanted as a precaution.
I have three children between the ages of 34 and 26 and they have each had an echocardiogram to determine if they have inherited my heart disease. Their echos were all normal but they will need to repeat them every five years, as HOCM can show up at any age.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has HOCM I highly recommend that you visit the HCMA's (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association) website at http://www.4hcm.org/WCMS/index.php for more information. They also have a forum where you can ask questions and receive moral support. Every member there has had experience with this disease.
