Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Defective cells in the heart muscle, possibly as a result of a congenital (present at birth) abnormality, may cause the heart muscle to weaken. To compensate for the weakened heart muscle, the walls of the heart may thicken. In severe cases, the thickened walls can interfere with blood flow into and out of the heart.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations (heartbeats that you’re aware of).

Treatments

There is no cure for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but symptoms can be relieved with heart disease medications such as beta blockers, which help slow the heart rate, and diuretics, which help eliminate excess fluid from the body. Calcium channel blockers help the heart fill with blood more efficiently. If symptoms become severe, especially if blood flow from the heart is obstructed, surgery to remove some of the excess heart muscle can significantly improve symptoms. Some people who have heart failure as a result of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy will need a heart transplant.