Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, also known as HCM, is the most common hereditary heart condition that affects the structure and function of the heart, causing the walls of the heart muscle to thicken and stiffen, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. to HCM is estimated to affect 1 in 500 he, and that number could reach 1 in 200 for her. *[1],[2]
Researchers like Jill Turdiff, MD, professor of biomedical engineering, medicine, cell and molecular medicine at the University of Arizona School of Medicine and a paid spokesperson for Bristol-Myers Squibb, have studied HCM extensively over the past few years. I’ve been Understand the importance of clearing up common misconceptions.
Myth 1: HCM is easy to diagnose
Approximately 100,000 patients in the United States have been diagnosed with HCM, suggesting that approximately 85% may remain undiagnosed. ^ Part of the reason for this gap in diagnosis?”There are other diseases that have symptoms similar to those of HCM, so it can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis,” he says, Dr. Tardiff. . Symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, and lightheadedness can all be signs of he HCM, but it can also be accompanied by many other health problems, such as anxiety, asthma, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease.
Also, HCM can vary greatly from patient to patient, making diagnosis difficult. Dr. Tardiff explains that symptoms are not always consistent. Some people have no symptoms at all (although they may have been identified by genetic testing if they have the disease in their family), others have moderate disease progression, and others have acute symptoms For all these reasons, HCM can be difficult to diagnose. Helping people understand the disease and when to see a doctor about symptoms is an important first step in identifying HCM.
Myth 2: HCM Primarily Affects Young Male Athletes
HCM often makes headlines when young male athletes suddenly die while playing sports due to undiagnosed HCM. number of HCM patients each year).[3] While these incidents are undoubtedly tragic and understandably stand out in people’s minds, they don’t tell the whole story.
In fact, HCM can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. Dr. Tardiff explains that HCM can appear in late adolescence or early adulthood. “In my practice, I see everyone from men and women, he’s 20 to he’s 85,” Dr. Tardiff says. “It runs the gamut.”
Myth 3: HCM has a high mortality rate
“The first thing I ask my patients is, ‘Have you ever searched on Google?'” says Dr. Tardiff. “If they have [have seen information indicating a high mortality rate]The risk of sudden cardiac death is rare, but I reassure them that they have every expectation that it could be a manageable disease. The overall mortality rate is thought to be as low as 0.5%.†
There are devastating stories of people dying suddenly from HCM, but there are many other examples of people living full lives with HCM. Finding the right professional to oversee the If the disease is caught early and a personalized management plan is outlined by a cardiologist, the disease becomes manageable.
Symptoms most commonly associated with HCM may include sudden fainting, shortness of breath, and chest pain, especially during or shortly after exertion or exercise. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, or if someone in your family has been diagnosed with HCM in her, it’s important to talk to your health care provider to find out more. may represent. Only a healthcare provider can determine if these symptoms indicate her HCM or another condition.
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Myth 4: Diet and exercise can prevent HCM
Proper diet and exercise can go a long way in preventing common conditions and diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke, but they cannot prevent HCM.For those with HCM, consider diet and exercise Sometimes it’s important to discuss the plan that works best for you with your doctor.
Why it’s important to clear up common misconceptions
It’s understandable that there can be misconceptions about HCM, but Dr. Tardiff says it’s important to take the time to dispel them, especially as our knowledge of the disease continues to grow. “Misconceptions about HCM can unnecessarily scare patients,” she says. “Some patients referred to me continue to cancel appointments. [out of fear]” This can delay getting the care you need.
For more information, please visit CoodItBeHCM.com.
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*The CARDIA study (published in 1995) was a US population-based, multicenter echocardiographic study of 4,111 subjects (aged 23–35 years) with prevalence of HCM in the general population of 500 confirmed to be one person. His Semsarian publication in 2015 identified that the prevalence of HCM gene carriers he could be as high as 1:200.
^ Estimates/conclusions based on 2013 ICD-9 claims database analysis (N = 169,089,614): 1. ~600,000 undiagnosed HCM patients (prevalence of 1 in 500 clinically unrecognized cases) 2. Patients diagnosed with ~100,000 HCM (2013 US Census population and 59,009 with HCM claims for a total N stratified by age/sex). patient proportion), and 3. HCM prevalence across the United States of ~700,000.
† To estimate mortality in the US general population from 1999 to 2014, we compared data from the ShaRe Registry (Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry) database with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WONDER database.
[1] Maron BJ, Gardin JM, Flak JM, Gidding SS, Kurosaki TT, and Build DE. Prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the general population of young adults. Echocardiographic analysis of 4111 subjects in the CARDIA study. circulation. 1995;92(4):785-789.
[2] Semsarian C, Ingres J, Marron MS, Marron BJ. A new perspective on the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Jay am Col Cardiol. 2015;65(12):1249-1254.
[3] O’Mahony C, Elliot P, McKenna W. Sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Circulation: arrhythmia and electrophysiology. 2013;6(2):443–451.
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