admin • November 2, 2023
George Dooley Memorial

It’s been 24 years – and we will never forget. Twenty-four years without my brother, George, who was also a son, husband, father, teacher, coach and so much more than the roles he played.

George died at the young age of 41 from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), leaving behind a wife, 2 small children, and family and friends who loved him dearly. It was an incredible shock to everyone. After all, he seemed healthy, was a high school teacher, a coach of several sports, and a young active person. But as we learned, HCM can impact anyone and often go undetected or misdiagnosed.


The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA) has taught us a great deal. This is why we donate a percentage of the profits from our golf outing hosted by The George Dooley Memorial Foundation. George was an avid golfer, and the golf outing is a way to keep George’s legacy alive, raise awareness of HCM, and raise funds for a variety of causes.

How wonderful it was this year to hear that the golf outing was SOLD OUT and we unfortunately had to turn people away. But what an outstanding show of support for George, his family, and for the cause. Now of course we know golfers also come because they love the sport, the event is a lot of fun, and there is food, drink, and great raffle prizes!

So not only do we want to thank the many golfers, sponsors, donors, and volunteers, but we also want to thank HCMA for the important work they do every day. And we know that George, being quite the joker, was looking down upon us all, thinking, “I could have made that shot!” And then – he smiles. -Linda Dooley

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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