What is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)?
Cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the muscle of the heart is abnormal in the absence of an apparent cause.
While HCM has typically been recognized by its structure ie., hypertrophy, the electrical function of the heart are also adversely affected.
There are three types of Cardiomyopathy: "hypertrophic", "dilated" and "restrictive".
The main feature of hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is an excessive thickening of the heart muscle (hypertrophy literally means to thicken). Thickening is seen in the ventricular septal measurement (normal range .08-1.2cm), and in weight. In HCM, septal measurements may be in the range of 1.3cm to 6.0+cm. Heart muscle may also thicken in normal individuals as a result of high blood pressure or prolonged athletic training.
Furthermore, there is a fine line between and athletic heart and a heart with HCM.
Easy for them to say.
But really ... 1 of 500 in the USA has HCM! For the most part, it's the kids or adults that don't know they have it, then suddenly die of a "heart defect" as most news reporters put it.
My boys passed physical examinations by physicians and even cardiologists; they had a hard time figuring out why Brody was weak and tired all of the time. In my opinion, at age 13 or even younger, once a year ask the doctor give your child an EKG. They cost approximately $30 ... and make sure a cardiologist reads it! It was the test that ultimately saved Brody's life.
If I didn't visit www.4hcm.org my life would probably be without Brody and even, Zane. I owe them, and I owe it to you to let you know a silent killer could live within anyone of us.
No comments:
Post a Comment