Lisa • January 10, 2023
A Man Called Otto

A true MUST-see for the HCM Community.

Today I should be calling my sister and signing… “when I’m 64”, but instead, I will remember the beautiful soul we lost when she was only 36.

Yesterday I went to see the new movie “A Man called Otto”, in this movie, Tom Hanks character Otto has HCM. I haven’t been to the movies much, but I needed to see how the subject was addressed. I did this on the eve of what should have been my sister’s birthday.

I have had HCM since 12 and lost 5 close relatives or more to HCM, and I found Tom Hanks performance 100% accurate, authentic, and raw reality.

At the end of the movie, which I purposely went to alone, I sat in a dark theater as the credits ran and cried (I’m not a crier). Not only was the depiction of HCM so real, but it also reminded me of the countless number of HCM warriors I’ve had the honor and privilege of knowing, supporting, advocating for, and loving since we lost Lori. The movie was the first time I had seen my family (bio and community) so accurately depicted. It touched my soul. Thank you, Mr. Hanks for being remarkable at your craft.

HCMA Blog

April 30, 2025
Medical Management means using medicines and other non-invasive therapies to relieve symptoms. It's exciting that new treatments for HCM are being studied and that the FDA approved Camzyos in 2022! HCM can cause various symptoms depending on how stiff the heart is, how much scarring (fibrosis) there is, and whether there is obstruction. Some people have no noticeable symptoms. Common symptoms are chest pain/pressure, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fatigue, palpitations, and brain fog. Syncope (fainting) is dramatic but not as common as the other symptoms. Medications are the first-line treatment for symptoms of HCM. If patients can't take one class of medication, they can try a medication from a different class. Here are some medications used to treat HCM and what they're for: Beta Blockers - make your heart beat slower and relax better. They allow the heart to fill more completely between beats. They can lower blood pressure and relieve symptoms. Calcium Channel Blockers - used to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. May reduce symptoms from obstruction in HCM. Myosin Inhibitors - cause the heart to beat with less force. They may reduce obstruction and septal thickness in some patients. Camzyos (mavacamten) is the first of this class of medication. For more information, click HERE . Antiarrhythmics - help to restore normal rhythm in the heart. Blood Thinners - anticoagulants and anti-platelets make it harder for blood to clot. They are prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke. This risk is higher in patients with afib, aflutter, and artificial heart valves. Diuretics , or "water pills," help the kidneys get rid of extra water and salt, reducing swelling in the body. Sodium Channel Blockers - may reduce gradient in obstructive HCM and can treat chest pain. Some also act as antiarrhythmics. Antibiotics - treat or prevent bacterial infections. In HCM, they may be given before dental work to prevent infective endocarditis. To learn more and see the side effects of these medications, click HERE .
On a green background, a line drawing of a head that has complicated arrows pointing outwards
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