Regular exercise has myriad benefits for our overall health and wellbeing. If you have HCM, you can still enjoy regular exercise and these benefits. You just need to be mindful of what is appropriate for your heart and be respectful of limitations your general practitioner or cardiologist puts in place. For instance, you will need to be proactive in choosing sports and exercise that do not overly strain or put intense pressure on your heart. 

You may also need to take into account the risks presented by certain symptoms. For example, swimming alone may not be the best choice if you have a history of fainting as part of your HCM condition. 

Be sure to consult with your specialist about what is right for you.

People with the condition generally find that it does progress and become worse over time if it is not appropriately treated and managed. However, generally the heart muscle thickens most during your adolescent and young adult years and slows later in life. Although the thickening may not increase much, any level of thickening usually compromises the heart’s function. If left untreated, in the long term this increased stress on the heart muscle can be extremely detrimental.

Therefore, once you have your diagnosis and treatment/management plan, it’s important to regularly check in with your healthcare providers. They can continue to assess your condition, ensuring it has not progressed, and addressing any changes as needed.

HCM is a serious condition as it requires management and treatment to avoid potentially life-threatening symptoms and complications. However, in the hands of a service with expertise in genetic heart conditions like HCM, you can be certain that your symptoms will be addressed early and properly.

Your life expectancy with HCM depends on your individual circumstances and if the condition is appropriately managed and treated. Previously thought to always be a life-threatening condition, now there are many treatment options for individuals with HCM that can effectively relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of dying prematurely. Many patients with HCM live into their 80s with modern cardiac care. 

However, it must be reiterated that unfortunately, for some people, sudden death or a cardiac arrest is the first sign of anything being wrong. Additionally, symptoms occurring at a younger age tend to mean a higher mortality rate. This is why it is imperative that if there is a history of HCM, related symptoms or unexplained deaths in your family, that you talk with your general practitioner. They can help you achieve a correct diagnosis, and put together the appropriate treatment and management plan for the best possible prognosis.