Preventing Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Although hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disease, lifestyle can affect how the disease will develop. Lifestyle factors you can influence that are known to promote hypertrophy of the heart muscle include:

• High blood pressure--Maintain a healthy blood pressure through proper diet, regular moderate exercise, and when necessary drug therapy.
• Weight lifting--Avoid heavy lifting.
• Overweight--Maintain a healthy body weight.

Approximately 1 percent of the people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are at increased risk for sudden death. The risk for sudden death should be evaluated for each person with HCM by a cardiologist specializing in HCM. Together, the cardiologist and patient can develop a prevention plan, which may include implanting a cardioverter defibrillator.