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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at HCA HEALTHCARE UK
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When you choose HCA UK, you’ll be looked after by the UK’s no.1 for private cardiovascular care. You’ll have personalised support delivered by skilled cardiac specialists that have cared for 110,000 patients in the last three years alone.
We’re expert in every aspect of diagnosis and treatment, which is why 99% of our clinical outcomes are successful. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and technologies and a choice of 250 cardiac consultants working across our network of hospitals, your heart will be in safe hands.
We’re expert in every aspect of diagnosis and treatment, which is why 99% of our clinical outcomes are successful. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and technologies and a choice of 250 cardiac consultants working across our network of hospitals, your heart will be in safe hands.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic cardiac condition passed on from your parents, affecting roughly 1 in 250 people. It causes a thickening of your heart muscle wall.
Many people with HCM don't have any serious symptoms. However, for some people, the thickening of the muscle can cause the heart to become bulky, making it harder to pump blood effectively around your body. That’s why it’s sometimes known as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
Occasionally the condition can lead to fast and, at times, dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Many people with HCM don't have any serious symptoms. However, for some people, the thickening of the muscle can cause the heart to become bulky, making it harder to pump blood effectively around your body. That’s why it’s sometimes known as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
Occasionally the condition can lead to fast and, at times, dangerous heart rhythm problems.
If you have HCM, you may not experience any serious problems or symptoms. However, you may start to notice more symptoms later in life as the condition develops and these may include:
- Chest pain
- Palpitations or an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting (syncope)
The hypertrophic cardiomyopathy symptoms you experience will be affected by how thick your heart muscle becomes, whether the blood leaving your heart is obstructed (called a left ventricular outflow tract obstruction) and whether you have heart rhythm abnormalities.
It’s good idea to get any worrying symptoms checked by an expert as soon as possible to rule out anything serious.
If your consultant thinks you may have HCM, they’ll start by asking you about any family history of heart disease and discussing your symptoms with you. They’re also likely to recommend that you have some imaging such as a cardiac MRI or echocardiogram which will help them determine the best hypertrophic cardiomyopathy treatment.
They may also recommend cardiac genetic testing. This can help to pinpoint the faulty gene and it might be a good idea for other members of your family to get screened and tested too.
They may also recommend cardiac genetic testing. This can help to pinpoint the faulty gene and it might be a good idea for other members of your family to get screened and tested too.
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HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
The fast, accurate diagnosis you need
As HCM is a hereditary condition, your consultant will usually start their diagnosis by asking you about any family history of heart disease and discussing your symptoms with you. They’re likely to recommend that you have some imaging tests, supported by HCA UK’s experienced cardiologists. This will help them form a clear diagnosis and you’ll have results back within 48 hours.
They may also talk to you about genetic testing. This can help to locate the faulty gene causing the condition and they’re likely to suggest that other family members get tested and screened too.
The imaging tests and screening they may recommend include:
HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
Specialist support and care
If you're diagnosed with HCM, your specialist consultant will let you know whether they simply want to monitor your condition, or whether you may need treatment.
If you do need treatment, that might include taking regular medication. Sometimes, your specialist may recommend that you have an implantable cardiac device (ICD) fitted, called a defibrillator. This can help to treat dangerous and abnormal heartbeats and reduce the risk of cardiac arrest.
It’s likely that you’ll be given advice about the levels of physical activity that you’re allowed.
- Medication
- ICD implantation
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy FAQs
No, but regular exercise and a balanced diet, as well as not smoking are excellent ways of keeping your heart healthy.
It depends. The thickening of the heart muscle wall may not cause any serious problems for many patients that we see with HCM.
For others, this thickening can cause the heart to become bulky making it hard to pump blood effectively around your body and causing heart rhythm problems. These issues may develop as you age and they can become dangerous.
The treatment we recommend may include medication such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, or one of the novel myosin inhibitors, such as Mavacamten, which can be very effective in treating the symptoms of obstruction. If that medication isn’t effective, we may also explore invasive procedures, such as alcohol septal ablation or septal myectomy.
Your specialist consultant can talk to you about your own specific condition and advise you on the best course of action for you.
For others, this thickening can cause the heart to become bulky making it hard to pump blood effectively around your body and causing heart rhythm problems. These issues may develop as you age and they can become dangerous.
The treatment we recommend may include medication such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, or one of the novel myosin inhibitors, such as Mavacamten, which can be very effective in treating the symptoms of obstruction. If that medication isn’t effective, we may also explore invasive procedures, such as alcohol septal ablation or septal myectomy.
Your specialist consultant can talk to you about your own specific condition and advise you on the best course of action for you.
Your device will be implanted in a specially designed cardiac catheterisation laboratory. You’ll either be given a general anaesthetic, or a local anaesthetic to numb your upper chest, and sedation to make you sleepy.
Your defibrillator will be placed under your skin. Depending on the type of defibrillator (a transvenous or subcutaneous ICD) there may be additional wires fed through a vein and fixed into your heart, or a single wire may be inserted entirely under your skin along your breastbone.
Your specialist consultant will advise which type of device is appropriate for you. The whole procedure usually takes one to two hours.
Your defibrillator will be placed under your skin. Depending on the type of defibrillator (a transvenous or subcutaneous ICD) there may be additional wires fed through a vein and fixed into your heart, or a single wire may be inserted entirely under your skin along your breastbone.
Your specialist consultant will advise which type of device is appropriate for you. The whole procedure usually takes one to two hours.
All surgical procedures carry some potential risks, and you may experience some side effects. Your consultant will explain these to you and answer any questions you have.
Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a rare, non-obstructive form of this genetic heart condition. It causes the heart muscle near the bottom (apex) of your left ventricle to thicken which makes it harder for your heart to pump blood.
As with other forms of HCM, it can lead to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and fainting. Similarly, there’s also an increased risk of sudden death so it’s vital to get worrying symptoms checked by an expert to make sure appropriate precautions and treatments are put in place.
As with other forms of HCM, it can lead to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and fainting. Similarly, there’s also an increased risk of sudden death so it’s vital to get worrying symptoms checked by an expert to make sure appropriate precautions and treatments are put in place.
Our patients’ stories
David’s story: Recognising the need for urgent acute care
David is an energetic, friendly, 78 year old man with a smile that lights up a room. You’d never guess he’s managing two ongoing heart conditions – aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation – and has recently recovered from acute pulmonary oedema, a condition that required a 10-day hospital stay.
“A great experience. In fact had to visit last year and chose to go back to the same consultant based on last year's experience.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.