• What Is Hypertrophic Cardiopmyopathy?
• What Are the Symptoms of Hypertrophic Cardiopmyopathy?
• What Causes Hypertrophic Cardiopmyopathy?
• How Is Hypertrophic Cardiopmyopathy Diagnosed?
• How Is Hypertrophic Cardiopmyopathy Treated?
• What Lifestyle Changes Are Recommended to Treat Hypertrophic Cardiopmyopathy?
• What Medications Are Used for Hypertrophic Cardiopmyopathy?
• What Surgical Procedures Are Used to Treat Hypertrophic Cardiopmyopathy?
• How Can I Prevent Endocarditis?

What Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with thickening of the heart muscle, most commonly at the septum below the aortic valve and in the left ventricle. This leads to stiffening of the walls of the heart and abnormal heart valve function, both of which may impede normal blood flow out of the heart.

What Are the Symptoms of HCM?

Many people with HCM have no symptoms or only minor symptoms, and live a normal life. Other people develop symptoms, which progress and worsen as heart function worsens.

Symptoms can occur at any age and may include:

• Chest pain or pressure (occurs usually with exercise or physical activity, but can also occur with rest or after meals).
• Heart failure symptoms (shortness of breath and fatigue).
• Swelling of the lower extremities.
• Fatigue (feeling overly tired).
• Fainting (caused by irregular heart rhythms, abnormal responses of the blood vessels during exercise, or no cause may be found).
• Chest pain or pressure (occurs usually with exercise or physical activity, but can also occur with rest or after meals).
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Fainting (caused by irregular heart rhythms, abnormal responses of the blood vessels during exercise, or no cause may be found).

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