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Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Dr. Alrich L. Gray // Central Montana Heart & Vascular Institute

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a type of heart disease that causes thickening of the heart’s muscle wall.

Signs and symptoms of HCM include:

  • Chest pain, especially with physical exertion
  • Shortness of breath, especially with physical exertion
  • Fatigue
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Fainting (syncope)
  • Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen and veins in the neck

Your doctor may prescribe you medications to help your heart pump blood more effectively and reduce the workload on your heart. These medications may reduce your blood pressure, prevent blood clots, reduce inflammation, and prevent water retention. Your doctor may also implant a device into your chest to help it beat properly, including a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).