My Life is Vital™ - Heart Problems and Sports: What Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

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Heart Problems and Sports: What Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Vital Healthcare Group

You may have heard about athletes that have died from heart trouble. Recently, Gaines Adams (age 26) and Jeron Lewis (age 21) died from heart problems likely caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a serious, and sometimes deadly, heart condition. About 1 in 500 Americans have HCM. About half the people who die from this heart problem are African-American.

People with HCM that are physically active need to make sure they are treated by a doctor, since HCM and exercise can be a lethal combination.

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disease. Genetic conditions are problems with health that you inherit from your parents when you are born. If a relative of yours has a genetic illness, you may be more likely to have this disease.

With hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, certain cells within the heart cause it to grow too big. The wall between the lower chambers of the heart starts to thicken, causing the heart to enlarge.

As the heart thickens, the heartbeat and blood flow become abnormal. The heart must work harder to pump the blood, causing it to strain.

Do young people get hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the main cause of sudden death in young people, but people of all ages can have problems with HCM.

Older people get HCM. Sometimes it’s caused by high blood pressure.

Still, if you are young and play sports, you should know about HCM. About half of the people who die from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have just completed strenuous physical activity.

What are the symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

People with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may never have symptoms of the disease. Others may have symptoms of HCM with strenuous exercise, when eating or when lying down. Symptoms of HCM may include:

Fatigue
Chest pain
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Having trouble breathing
Fainting
Heart palpitations

Many people live normal lives with HCM, as long as they are treated and under the care of their doctor.

How can my doctor test for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

If you someone in your immediate family has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, you should get tested for it soon.

If your parents, grandparents, or siblings have this disease, there is a good chance that you and others in your family have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, too.

If you go to your doctor, he or she may want to run one or more of these tests to diagnose HCM and see if you have any symptoms. Here’s what to expect when your doctor screens for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:

Physical exam - Your doctor will check your pulse and listen to your heart and lungs
Genetic testing – This genetic screening can help diagnose HCM for treatment
Echocardiography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – This helps your doctor see detailed images of the heart
Electrocardiogram (EKG) - This test can check activity of the heart and detect abnormalities
Wearing a Holter monitor - This device is worn for 24-48 hours to observe your heart rhythm

Can this heart condition be treated?

Yes, there is treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Remember, the best way to prevent serious problems with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is to get screened early for this disease. Early diagnosis can prevent serious problems in the future.

Unfortunately, if you are into sports and are diagnosed with HCM, you may have to cut back on strenuous physical activity. You may also be treated with medications to treat HCM. These drugs can help to regulate your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, prevent blood clots and reduce inflammation.

Some of drugs used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include:

Beta-blockers
Calcium channel blockers
Anti-arrhythmic drugs
Blood thinners
Corticosteroids

For severe cases of HCM, you may need to be hospitalized. Surgery is also used to help people with HCM, as it can repair a thickened septum or faulty valve. Pacemakers are less common these days but are still used to regulate the heart. Defibrillators are usually used in severe cases of HCM to control abnormalities of the heart. Heart transplants are also used in severe HCM cases.

Don’t play around with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

While some people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy never show signs or symptoms of the disease, others like athletes Gaines Adams and Jeron Lewis have died from HCM.

We urge you to talk to your parents, coach or doctor about HCM. Make sure you are screened for this potentially deadly disease. Don’t let this heart condition slow you down!