Overview

Managing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a team effort. You will likely be seen by several health care providers. It’s important to make sure everyone is on the same page and that your questions are answered.

Be sure to ask your health care team about your concerns, especially the following:

• When you or a parent, sister or brother who has HCM should be screened using either genetic testing or an imaging test
• Safe exercises and activities that should be avoided
• What signs and symptoms they would want to know about right away
• When to see a heart doctor with special training in HCM
• Finding support

Here are some other questions you might consider asking:

• How will having HCM affect my life?
• Can I still exercise?
• Is the thickening of my heart muscle affecting how my heart functions now?
• Mavacamten is now available for certain people with obstructive HCM. Is it an option for me? How does it work?
• Are there any medications that I should stop taking?
• How often will I have tests to see if my heart is OK?
• What cardiologist or center is expert in treating this condition?
• If I have a procedure done to remove part of the thickened heart muscle, will it grow back?
• When should I talk with my children or other family members about genetic testing or screening?
• What are the signs of worsening I should watch out for to suggest I need an adjustment in the treatment plan?