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…
Read MoreVolunteer!
Share Your Story (SYS) Volunteer! Welcome Spring! Our volunteers plant seeds of hope and positive change for the HCM community that blossom year-round. Spring is a time to look around and within and reflect on all that has passed and all that is yet to come. Last month, with Heart Month & HCM Awareness Day,…
Read MoreVanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute– Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute is among the best heart programs in the nation and the top-ranked program in Tennessee. The Genetic Cardiomyopathy Program and the multidisciplinary care team deliver expert care for HCM in adults and children and provide genetic counseling for their families. The Vanderbilt Team has additional board certifications in advanced heart…
Read MoreHCMAs first Hill Day
Hill Day, February 15th, 2024 This year’s Hill Day Event during Heart Month was a success by all measures. It was our first year participating, and while it was a success, we’ve already come up with ideas on how to make it even better next year. This is what the HCM Community does – make…
Read MoreArrhythmia 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,…
Read MoreYale New Haven Hospital Heart and Vascular Center – New Haven, CT
Yale New Haven Hospital Heart and Vascular Center offer multidisciplinary services from the latest imaging techniques and genetic profiling of HCM to advanced diagnostic testing, treatment options, and clinical trials – all with an emphasis on compassion and communication. Yale New Haven’s well-established HCM center provides specialized, expert physicians and staff specially trained to manage…
Read MoreVolunteer!
Share Your Story (SYS) Happy Heart Month! February is going to be a busy month for the HCMA but, with the help of our volunteers, it truly makes the load a lot lighter! To learn more about HCMA volunteer opportunities and get involved, contact julie@4hcm.org or click HERE. HCMA Theme of the Month Stories The…
Read MoreFebruary 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…
Read MoreCorewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) HCM Program – Grand Rapids, Michigan
The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program at Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was founded in 2013 and recognized as an HCMA Center of Excellence in 2017. The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program at Corewell Health offers a “comprehensive patient-centered approach to diagnosis, education, and treatment, bringing our resources around our patients wherever possible. We facilitate…
Read MoreBeware of “Alternative” Funding Programs When Choosing your Health Plan
By: Lisa Salberg, Founder and CEO Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association A new health insurance workaround could endanger the health of patients, particularly those with chronic illnesses like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This “new” concept is done in an attempt to cut costs for employers. This scheme is dubbed as the “alternative funding program.” In the context of hypertrophic…
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