It’s Emotional Wellness October!

Treating the whole person is essential because your mind, emotional state, and physical symptoms interact. One example is that you can increase an arrhythmia by becoming anxious when it happens. It’s natural to be anxious when your heart does something unusual, but through slow breathing, relaxation, and other coping techniques, you can help yourself feel…

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Septal Reduction September

If you have been experiencing symptoms of obstruction, such as shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, light-headedness, or fainting, despite using medications, it might be time to consider septal reduction. The most appropriate septal reduction therapy for each patient depends on several factors, which you can discuss with your HCM team. If you need assistance understanding…

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July is about COE Care at the HCMA! 

Have you ever wondered what a Center of Excellence (COE) is? A COE is a dream team of specialists who work together to provide top-notch care to patients with specific diseases. They follow the best, most up-to-date practices. Many medical facilities strive to become a COE by forming a dedicated team that focuses on treating…

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The HCMA’s Focus for June is Staying Fit With HCM! 

There needs to be more clarity about exercise for HCM patients. Some doctors say, “don’t do anything physical,” and others say, “do whatever you want.” We can likely agree on one thing – they’re both wrong, and the best advice is somewhere in the middle. Experts agree that exercise is healthy for people with HCM.…

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Medical Management May

Medical Management means using medications and other non-invasive therapies to treat disease and relieve symptoms. It’s exciting and historic that new treatments targeted for HCM are being studied and that the FDA approved Camzyos in 2022!  HCM can cause various symptoms depending on how stiff the heart is, how much scarring (fibrosis) there is, and…

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April’s Topic is Genetic Testing

Who should have genetic testing, why, and when? Suppose you have been clinically (through an EKG, echocardiogram, and a visit with a cardiologist) diagnosed with HCM. In that case, most experts recommend that you have genetic testing to determine the underlying reason your heart is too thick. Why does it matter?   Some hearts look like…

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Arrhythmia is the HCMA topic for March

Arrhythmia is the HCMA topic for March An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. It means that your heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or with an irregular pattern. This can be scary, but many arrhythmias are harmless, and others are very treatable! Some common arrhythmias in HCM are atrial flutter/fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation,…

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February is Heart Month

Here are some HCM basics that everyone should know: Some HCM statistics About 50% of adults with HCM present with symptoms. You can be diagnosed with HCM at any age. It’s common to be diagnosed during the teenage years, but the average age of diagnosis in the HCMA database is 39 years. https://4hcm.org/hcm-development/  70% of those…

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Gratitude

The HCMA theme for December is Gratitude Why practice gratitude? Gratitude has benefits for both mental and physical health as well as our relationships with those around us. When we’re thankful for anything positive in our lives, it leads to a shift in mindset that helps us feel better and take action to stay as…

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