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Finding Hope for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Living with a chronic disease like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be frustrating. But with the supportive care of leading cardiology experts, you’ll be empowered to continue living the life you love.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: What To Know

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), pronounced hyper-tro-fic cardio-my-opathy, is a common cardiac disorder that causes abnormal heart muscle thickening. As many as 1 in 200 people may have HCM. The symptoms of HCM resemble those of several other conditions, making it more difficult to diagnose. It sometimes mimics cardiac amyloidosis, metabolic disorders like Fabry disease and some of the features of an athlete’s heart. People with HCM may experience mild to severe symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, chest, jaw and neck pain, heart racing or palpitations, lightheadedness and fainting.

HCM is an inheritable condition with many clinical profiles. Most commonly, the disease results from cardiac protein abnormalities that regulate the heart's contractility. These are usually the result of genetic variants that cause abnormal gene expression, which affects the heart’s normal function. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment are critical to best managing symptoms, especially in people who have a high risk of serious cardiovascular complications.

As the only HCM Center of Excellence in Central Florida, our physicians have a wealth of experience treating the different clinical profiles of this condition, which may include congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in a small subset of patients. For more information or to speak with a nurse navigator, please call 407-303-1648 or email CFD.CVHealth&WellnessFax@AdventHealth.com.

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Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Overview

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common disorder of cardiac muscle. Patients with HCM may experience symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pressure, palpitations, lightheadedness and fainting. 

HCM is a genetic condition.  Early treatment and diagnosis is critical in order to best manage symptoms, especially in patients at high risk for serious cardiovascular complications. As the only HCM Center of Excellence in Central Florida, our physicians have experience treating the different clinical profiles of this condition, which may include congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in a small subset of patients. 

For more information or to speak with a nurse navigator, please call 407-303-1648.

Comprehensive Care for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of HCM can range from mild to severe, and may include:

  • Chest, jaw and neck pain
  • Fainting
  • Fatigue
  • Heart racing or palpitations
  • Lightheadedness
  • Shortness of breath
Diagnosis

To diagnose HCM, your provider may perform a physical exam, as well as tests like:

  • 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Cardiopulmonary stress test
  • Echocardiogram
  • Genetic testing
  • Holter monitor and event monitoring
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Stress echocardiography
Complications

Some complications that can come with HCM include:

Arrhythmias

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

  • Risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest include family history, an enlarged heart, abnormal heart rhythm (known as ventricular tach), a history of fainting (especially following exertion), extensive fibrosis on cardiac MRI, reduced heart function and apical aneurysm.

Heart Failure

  • Risks for heart failure can include cardiac obstruction, mitral insufficiency, diastolic dysfunction and end-stage burnout.

Endocarditis

Treatment

Treatments for HCM can include:

Medications

  • Medications for HCM can address lower left ventricular outflow tract gradient, and can help your heart pump better, reduce excess fluid and help control the heart’s rhythm.

Participating in a Clinical Trial

  • Through clinical trials, our researchers pioneer new and innovative treatments that aren’t widely available. Our team may offer clinical trials specific to HCM and may be able to offer myosin inhibitors, medications that help the heart beat less forcefully.

Lifestyle Changes

  • Making healthy changes can help reduce HCM symptoms. Lifestyle changes can include monitoring salt intake, stopping alcohol use and exercising (after appropriate expert evaluation).

Ablation Procedures

  • Cardiac ablation is a procedure that can treat HCM. It can help regulate the heart’s rhythm and improve its overall performance.

Implantable Devices

  • Tiny medical devices implanted in the heart can help it maintain a proper rhythm and, when appropriate, can help synchronize the heart.
Surgical Options

If the obstruction of outflow of blood from the left ventricle to the body is extremely severe and medical therapy isn’t helping, the thickened heart muscle can be “trimmed” surgically through percutaneous intervention.

Surgical options to treat HCM can include:

Septal Reduction Therapies

Alcohol Septal Ablation

  • This heart catheterization procedure is used to introduce a catheter into one of the small arteries that brings blood to the abnormally thickened septum. Alcohol is injected into the artery to reduce the size of the muscle.

Surgical Myectomy

  • This open-heart surgery is performed to cut away the portion of the muscle that is thickened, relieving the obstruction to blood flow. 

Transplantation

  • A heart transplant is an effective solution for people who have end-stage congestive heart failure.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Experts Our Team of

Marcos Hazday, MD, FACC
Director of HCM Center of Excellence
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Naveen Bellam, MD, MPH
Co-Director of HCM Center of Excellence, Transplant Cardiologist
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Dr. Kevin Accola, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
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Dr. George Monir, MD
Electrophysiologist
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Dr. Patricia Guerrero, MD
Electrophysiologist
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Cesar Bonilla, MD, FACC
Cardiology, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
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Dr. Chandra Bomma, MD
Electrophysiologist
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Phillip R Anderson, MD
Cardiologist
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Dr. Rajesh Shah, MD
Interventional Cardiologist
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Dr. Nipun Arora, MD
Interventional Cardiologist
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Jorge A. Garcia, MD, FACC, FASE
Pediatric Cardiologist
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Meet the Team
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An Expert Collaboration

Your whole health is our priority. The best way to support you in body, mind and spirit is to work together across our areas of expertise. That’s why we take a highly coordinated approach with our nurse navigator, who can help you navigate the health care system and support you at every step.

In our comprehensive program, you’ll have access to these teams:

  • Advanced heart failure and transplant experts
  • Arrhythmia specialists
  • Cardiovascular surgeons
  • Genetics and genomics experts
  • Imaging specialists
  • Interventional cardiologists
  • Pediatric cardiologists
  • Radiologists

Together, we can provide the effective treatment you need and the compassionate care you deserve.

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Expert Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Care

AdventHealth Orlando has been identified as an HCM Center of Excellence for our commitment to providing expert treatment to patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. We are the only center of excellence in Central Florida and are here to help patients feel strong, feel connected and feel whole through our quality of care. 

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Support With Every Beat

A strong community encourages a strong heart. From connecting you with others through our cardiac support groups to helping you navigate our financial assistance tools, we’re here to give you the guidance you need to feel whole.

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As integral pieces of the largest heart, lung and vascular institute in Florida, every one of our Central Florida locations contributes to the strength of the AdventHealth Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute network. Explore your options with the guidance of our dedicated team. We’ll help you find the right fit, so you’re in the best setting to get the care you need.

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