Maryland - The heart of the matter
the hcm act will help identify Cardiac Health issues in patients with a spectrum of Diseases including Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a sudden, unexpected death caused by loss of heart function (sudden cardiac arrest). Sudden cardiac death is the largest cause of natural death in the United States, causing about 325,000 adult deaths in the United States each year.
Multiple conditions and risks can make children prone to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or sudden cardiac death (SCD) as well as other complications of heart disease. To date, the focus has mainly been only on screening student-athletes.
By the numbers:
One of the disorders in the spectrum is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy which is often misdiagnosed or worse yet - overlooked until it is too late.
But with more attention focused on this problem, we can improve the diagnosis delay.
There are close to 4,200 Maryland State constituents potentially affected with cardiac disorders per EACH State Senator’s District, with up to 650 being Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy*.
The HCMA has many members from Maryland. They share a deep understanding of the benefits of childhood screening and early diagnosis.
Hear from a Maryland State constituent - Help save us now:
Ashley Fisher is an attorney and mom of two. She grew up fairly active and was diagnosed at 20 years old when her nurse picked up a substantial heart murmur during a routine checkup. Ashley soon followed up with a cardiologist who made her HCM diagnosis. A few years later, her symptoms progressed enough to warrant an ICD. She got it placed just one month before she started law school. 3 years later, her ICD shocked her 6 times while dancing at her wedding. Though the paramedics arrived and strapped her to an EKG, her rhythm returned to normal before then.
Over the years, her HCM had progressed to advanced heart failure with an ejection fraction of between 30-40% (normal for HCM is approximately 65%). She was referred to a heart failure doctor and has recently received a heart transplant. Ashley joins the 5% of HCM patients who follow this path.
Like Ashley and her family, there are up to 1,400 constituents potentially affected with cardiac disorders per EACH House Delegate in Maryland with up to 215 being Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
To view the full report on the prevalence of cardiac disorders in the state of Maryland: Click here
Please, listen to our patient stories, and take action to support the HCM Act. Draft legislation is available for review: https://4hcm.org/health-cardiac-monitoring-act/