The real impact of HCM

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is a disease that affects the heart muscle and its ability to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. In someone with HCM, the walls of the heart become thicker than they should be. This excessive thickening can cause the heart to become more stiff and leaves less room for blood to fill the heart. HCM can be a debilitating and life-changing disease that can reduce a person’s physical function and overall well-being. In fact, HCM is estimated to affect between 1 in 200 and 1 in 500 people in the general population, yet many people don’t know they have it.*^†

Getting diagnosed early is important because a delayed or missed HCM diagnosis may put a patient’s health at greater risk. HCM can sometimes be described as a “hidden disease’’ because people who have it may not always have symptoms. And when HCM symptoms do appear, they may be difficult for doctors to recognize because they can be similar to other health conditions such as asthma, anxiety, hypertension, or coronary artery disease. Every case of HCM is different, and only a doctor can determine whether symptoms indicate HCM or another condition. If you’re experiencing any new or unexplained symptoms such as those found below, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.