The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association Congratulates Virginia On Becoming The 1st State To Pass The Children’s Cardiac Safety Act

March 27, 2025

Virginia children now have better protections to identify genetic heart muscle disorders and causes of sudden cardiac arrest. The HCMA thanks Virginia Senator Lamont Bagby who sponsored SB1320, Governor Glenn Youngkin, lobbyist Noah Reandeau, Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia Health Dr. Christopher Kramer, and Kitty Broermann and Eric Broermann who spoke at our VA Legislative Briefing webinar last month. Thank you to HCMA ambassadors and volunteers and Virginia residents who helped make this possible! 

The Children’s Cardiac Safety Act will:

Include cardiac questions to be added to the “Well Child” examination for all children under the age of 19.

Improve student-athlete pre-participation physicals and athlete education about signs and symptoms that are linked to cardiac conditions.

Improve the ability of the healthcare providers to identify children and families at risk for cardiac disorders both genetic and congenital.

Learn more about the Children’s Cardiac Safety Act.

Help your state pass the Children’s Cardiac Safety Act.

1.3 million Americans— more than 35, 000 Virginians —suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common genetic heart disease in the US. This mainly inherited condition causes the heart muscle to thicken and become stiff, which makes it very difficult to pump blood and leads to heart rhythm abnormalities. Yet, according to the National Institutes of Health, only 15% of affected individuals are even aware they have this condition. 

HCM affects every age, gender, and ethnicity; some individuals have no initial symptoms, while others experience fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, fainting, and even sudden cardiac death. These varying symptoms make HCM difficult to diagnose and often result in a misdiagnosis. Effective testing is an important first step in identifying HCM, and the best place to seek expert care is at the HCM Center of Excellence (COE). 

About the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association:

The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, HCMA, was founded in 1996 as an international resource for patients, families, and the medical community on matters of importance. HCM is a genetic heart muscle disorder affecting 1 in 250 people worldwide. The HCMA provides services to enhance understanding, provide support, foster research, ensure high-quality health care, and support public policies of importance. The HCMA is a 501c(3) with offices in Denville, NJ, and online at www.4hcm.org.