Sabrina Cuddy • November 5, 2024
Holiday Weight Management

At the HCMA, November is when we’re thinking about weight management. We all know that winter months and holiday foods can lead to potential weight gain, and it happens to the best of us. It’s easy to gain weight with all the less healthy options in front of us – face it, we all love yummy treats! Those of us with HCM do better if we stay as close to our ideal weight as possible, so having an eating strategy over the holidays can help. 

Here are some tips to think about:

  • Drink plenty of water (you can add a splash of juice or a squeeze of lemon).
  • Pay attention to how much you’re eating and drinking.
  • Slow down and really taste the treat – you’ll feel satisfied with less.
  • Limit alcoholic drinks, juices, eggnog, and cocoa (yes, you’ll still have fun!).
  • Identify the healthiest option on the table: the veggie plate over the bowl of chips.
  • At festive meals, load half your plate with vegetables, a quarter with proteins, and minimize the carbs – using a smaller plate may help, too.
  • Consider having fruit or limiting sweet treats to a small portion for dessert.
  • Everything in moderation, and enjoy yourself!

Some people with HCM report that they don’t feel well or have worse symptoms after eating meals, particularly large ones or those with their “trigger foods” – researchers haven’t formally studied this, so pay attention to signs that your body reacts badly to carbs, large meals, or alcohol. Those with atrial fibrillation may find that alcohol, chocolate, cheese, and other foods may trigger them into an episode of afib.

Your symptoms are a good guide! You may feel better eating smaller amounts of food at each meal. 

If you’re like most people, telling yourself you can’t have a particular food can frustrate you. That’s why having a plan is essential. It may stop you from making poor choices that will hinder your enjoyment of the holiday season. Your plan can include a favorite treat or two. Creating a plan isn’t always a guarantee for success, but not having a plan may lead to feeling poorly and having to bow out of social activities – and that’s no fun.  

Another way to avoid gaining holiday pounds is to get some exercise. Make it a family tradition to go for a walk between dinner and dessert! Remember that those with HCM can generally exercise at a level based on THEIR heart. If you still need to discuss an exercise plan with your medical team, please do so! Leading a sedentary lifestyle can add other health problems, which can add to complications of your HCM; you don’t need that. Finally, make sure you stay hydrated, set a plan, and have a wonderful holiday season!

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 .
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