Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic condition that features the thickened muscle wall of the heart. This disorder develops when the heart muscular wall known as myocardium causes the heart muscle to become stiff. As a result of this, the heart is unable to effectively pump blood throughout the body. This condition does not always present any symptom and is estimated to affect 1 in 500 individuals in the United Kingdom.
Causes
This is generally an inherited condition that is associated with the genetic mutation that results in the unusual thickening of the heart muscle wall. Individuals with this problem also tend to present another condition known as myofiber disarray which is the abnormality of the heart muscle cells that creates arrhythmia, the unusual heart rhythm. Some of the affected individuals also present additional condition known as obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy where the blood flow out of the heart becomes interrupted.
Symptoms
Some of the common symptoms associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include the shortness of breath, chest pain, heart murmur, fainting and palpitations which are the sensation of rapid heartbeats. As heart condition usually requires medical attention for an early detection of any abnormalities, it is particularly essential to seek help when the symptoms such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat and difficulty with breathing persist more than few minutes.
Diagnosis
The physician may conduct a physical examination that seeks to identify abnormalities of the lungs and the heart by listening to signs using stethoscope which can include abnormal heart sound (murmur) and blood pressure. If the individual is suspected of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the echocardiogram may be required to determine the abnormalities of the heart muscle, obstruction of blood flow and the movement of the heart valves. Other tests can include electrocardiogram to detect abnormal heartbeats, treadmill stress test to evaluate if any abnormal heart condition develops when provoked with exercise and a cardiac MRI to study the images of the heart. In addition, the cardiac catheterization may be necessary to monitor the pressure of the heart and to observe the blood vessels. Genetic tests can confirm the presence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy particularly if evident in a first-degree relative such as the parent or sibling.
Treatment
There is no cure for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms and to prevent the development of complications. The type of treatment is based on the extent the heart is affected and the symptoms that are evident. The treatment options can include medications to relax the heart muscle, to control blood pressure, to slow the heart rate and to reduce the risk of developing blood clots. A pacemaker may be inserted to treat the abnormal heart rhythms or the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be implanted if suspected of life-threatening heart rhythm disorders which monitor the heartbeat.
References
https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/cardiomyopathy/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000192.htm
