Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Treatment

This Blog is intended for anyone interested in learning more about the heart condition Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( HCM ). It has been produced in consultation with doctors and those with the condition. I was also suffering from HCM obstructive type and had Alcohol Septal Ablation and now my Gradient is Normal. If you have any queries about the HCM Obstructive type treatment lets freely discuss here, I will be glad to answer your all queries with the help of expert doctors.

What is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) ?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes thick. The thickening makes it harder for blood to leave the heart, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is often asymmetrical, meaning one part of the heart is thicker than the other parts. The condition is usually passed down through families (inherited). It is believed to be a result of several problems (defects) with the genes that control heart muscle growth.

Symptoms of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM ):
Chest pain.
Dizziness.
Fainting, especially during exercise.
Heart failure (in some patients).
High blood pressure (hypertension).
Light-headedness, especially after activity or exercise.
Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations).
Shortness of breath.

Other symptoms of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy that may occur are :
Fatigue, reduced activity tolerance.
Shortness of breath when lying down.
Some patients have no symptoms. They may not even realize they have the condition until it is found during a routine medical exam.

How common is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( HCM )?
Recent studies have suggested that HCM is more common than previously reported. It is now estimated that approximately 1 in 500 of the UK population suffers from the disease.

What is the Cause of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( HCM )?
In the majority of cases the condition is inherited, although in other cases there is either no evidence of inheritance or there is insufficient information about the individual’s family to assess inheritance. In affected families the condition may pass from one generation to the next. The pattern of inheritance is called autosomnal dominant and the condition may be passed on from affected males and females. The disease does not skip generations. However, in some people its manifestation may be very mild. If a parent has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( HCM ), his or her child child will have a 50% chance of inheriting the condition.
Occasionally excessive thickening of the heart muscle occurs as part of other diseases, such as mitochondrial disorders or Fabry’s disease. These conditions are rare and sometimes treatable.

How is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) diagnosed ?
In general, the echocardiogram is the best method of diagnosing HCM. The echocardiogram allows accurate measurement of the thickness of the ventricular walls, and can detect abnormal heart valve function as well. The electrocardiogram (ECG) also can give important clues as to the presence of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( HCM ). Both an ECG and echocardiogram should be performed in close relatives of a patient diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( HCM , and an echocardiogram should be performed in any person in whom the ECG or the physical examination suggests ventricular hypertrophy.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) Treatment .
The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and prevent complications. Some patients may need to stay in the hospital until the condition is under control (stabilized).If you have symptoms, you may need medication to help the heart contract and relax correctly. Drugs include beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. These medicines reduce chest pain and pain during exercise. Medications will often relieve symptoms so patients do not need more invasive treatments.Some people with arrhythmias may need anti-arrhythmic medications. If the arrhythmia is due to atrial fibrillation, blood thinners will also be used to reduce the risk of blood clots. Some patients may have a permanent pacemaker placed. However, pacemakers are used less often today than they were in the past.When blood flow out of the heart is severely blocked, an operation called surgical myectomy is done. This procedure cuts and removes the thickened part of the heart. Patients who have this procedure often show significant improvement. If the heart's mitral valve is leaking, surgery may be done to repair or replace the valve.In some cases, patients may be given an injection of alcohol into the arteries that feed the thickened part of the heart (alcohol septal ablation).


ALCOHOL SEPTAL ABLATION :
Alcohol septal ablation is performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, and should only be performed by interventional cardiologists with specific training in the procedure. As such, it is only available in a few institutions. The technique is similar to coronary angioplasty, and utilizes similar equipment. Using wires and balloons to localize the septal artery feeding the diseased muscle, a small amount of absolute alcohol is infused into the artery to produce a small heart attack. Patients typically experience mild chest discomfort during the procedure, which takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Analgesics and mild sedatives are administered as needed. Patients typically are maintained in the hospital for three to four days to monitor for any complications, including need for permanent pacemaker in 5-10%.

Both of these procedures carry a risk and are, therefore, reserved for patients with severe symptoms from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) with obstruction.

If you, your relative or any friend is suffering from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) obstructive type please feel to discuss the conditions, treatment here. we may be helpful to you and your suggestion may also be helpful to us and this blog readers.

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