Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
AN INHERITED CARDIAC CONDITION
HCM is a thickening of the heart muscle wall (myocardium), making it harder to pump blood throughout your body
About HCM
HCM is a relatively common genetic condition passed on from your parents. Many people with HCM don't have any serious symptoms. However, for some people, the thickening of the muscle can cause your heart to become bulky, making it harder to pump blood through your body effectively. Occasionally the condition can lead to fast and, at times, dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Need to know
If you have HCM, you may not experience any serious problems or symptoms. The disease develops over time, so you may find that symptoms become more noticeable later in life. Symptoms can sometimes include:
- chest pain
- palpitations or an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- shortness of breath
- dizziness or fainting (syncope)
The symptoms you have will depend on how thick your heart muscle becomes, whether there is obstruction to the blood leaving the heart (left ventricular outflow tract obstruction) and whether there are heart rhythm abnormalities.
If your consultant thinks you may have HCM, the most common way to confirm a diagnosis is through a cardiac MRI or echocardiogram. Your consultant will also speak to you about any family history of heart disease. They'll discuss your symptoms with you and determine the best approach with the help of our experienced cardiologists and electrophysiologists.
If you're diagnosed with HCM, your consultant will let you know whether you may need treatment. Potential options may include medication, or having an implantable cardiac device fitted to help control your heart beat. You may need to avoid intense physical activity.
They will also talk to you about screening other family members through tests such as an ECG and echocardiogram or with genetic testing where you try and find the faulty gene causing the condition.
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.