ehealthyland.com

If you are diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, your health care provider may recommend that your close blood relatives (family members) be screened for the condition.

Some patients with mild forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are only diagnosed by screening echocardiograms because of their known family history.If you have high blood pressure, make sure you take your medication and follow your doctor’s recommendations.

Because hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is inherited, it can’t be prevented. However, doctors and scientists are learning more about the genetic mutations that cause the disorder. Though the condition itself can’t be prevented, it’s important to identify this condition as early as possible to guide treatment and prevent complications.

Preventing sudden death
The use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator has been shown to help prevent sudden cardiac death, which occurs rarely in those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Unfortunately, because many people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy don’t realize they have it, there are instances where the first sign of a problem is sudden cardiac death. These cases can happen in seemingly healthy young people, including high school athletes and other young, active adults. News of these types of deaths generates understandable attention because they’re so unexpected, but parents should be aware these deaths are quite rare.

Still, experts in heart abnormalities generally recommend that those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy not participate in most competitive sports, with the possible exception of some low-intensity sports. You should talk with your cardiologist about specific recommendations. The use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator should not be viewed as a substitute for these recommendations.

Screening of all first-degree family members with echocardiography, ECG, and clinical follow-up is required. All patients with HCM should:

1.Undergo serial testing with echocardiogram, Holter monitor, exercise testing, and clinical evaluation to determine their risk level for sudden cardiac death (SCD); implantable cardioverter-defibrilators (ICDs) are indicated for prevention of SCD in selected individuals at higher risk.
2.Refrain from high-intensity athletics.
3..Be referred for surgical coronary unroofing if they develop ischaemia due to myocardial bridging.
4.Be considered for anticoagulation for stroke prevention if they develop atrial fibrillation.