Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a rare, often inherited condition that occurs when the muscle mass of the left ventricle of the heart is larger than normal, or the wall between the two ventricles (septum) becomes enlarged and obstructs the blood flow from the left ventricle. Because it prevents the heart from properly relaxing between beats, it fills with less blood, which limits the amount of blood pumped by the heart with each beat. Your physician may even detect a heart murmur.
- Symptoms can appear in men and women of all ages
- Symptoms include shortness of breath on exertion, dizziness, fainting and angina pectoris.
- Some people experience cardiac arrhythmias that may lead to sudden death.
Your Inova cardiac surgeon may perform surgery known as a septal myectomy if medications are not effective.
