Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Because hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects each person differently, there is no "typical patient" and no standard plan of treatment. Furthermore, the treatment rationale for HCM can actually counter the medical rationale used to treat the same suite of symptoms in a patient who does not have HCM. For instance, many HCM patients have chest pain and shortness of breath--a common symptom of coronary artery disease that is treated with nitroglycerin. If a person with HCM were to take nitroglycerin, the symptoms could worsen and the nitroglycerin could even cause a catastrophic deterioration in the person's condition.

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For more information on treatment for HCM, including information on medications to improve functioning of the heart, surgery, and implantable devices, see Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.