As HCM is a genetic condition, the goal of treatment is not to cure but to relieve symptoms, treat complications and prevent sudden cardiac arrest for those at high risk.
Majority of patients with no symptoms would not require treatment. In patients suffering from chest pain or breathlessness, medication like beta blocks or calcium channel blockers are usually prescribed. In instances when symptoms are not well controlled with maximal medication, intervention to reduce thickness of a portion of the thickened heart muscle can be carried out; septal ablation reduces the muscle thickness by creating a ‘controlled’ heart attack whereas myectomy is an open heart surgery.
Patients who have family history of sudden cardiac arrest, unexplained fainting spell, severe thickening of heart muscle or dangerous heart rhythm, are considered to be at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator can be life-saving in this group of patients.
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