Lisa • March 9, 2023
In Her Own Words: Lisa Salberg advocates with a heart.

Between 1 in 250 to 1 in 500 people are impacted by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a genetic heart condition that took the life of Lisa Salberg’s sister. Lisa, her daughter and many other family members live with this condition. That’s why she’s dedicated her life to advocacy.

“Heart disease has always been a heavy weight on my shoulders, but I never anticipated the role I would play in supporting others who were also affected. As the founder of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA), I’ve dedicated my life to spreading awareness of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the heart muscle disease that causes the muscle to become thick and unable to pump blood normally. It’s the most common of all genetic heart conditions, but throughout my life, I saw the lack of education and resources surrounding the disease firsthand. That’s why I knew I needed to make a change.

At age 12, I was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy when little to no information was available surrounding this disease. Several of my family members struggled with heart-related issues; others were also diagnosed with HCM. With constant hospital visits, medical treatments, and a stroke at 21, I struggled to find control over this disease for the majority of my life.

My life took a turn in 1995 when my sister, Lori Anne Flanigan-Munson, passed away at 36 from medical errors and complications related to HCM and overall mismanagement of the disease. Her death was something that should have never happened and could have been prevented with the right guidance and information.

Because of the untimely passing of my sister, I decided to take control of my condition and help others in similar positions. After the losses I experienced, I felt called to do something so others wouldn’t have to go through the same. I decided to start a website that could provide information to others with much-needed information, support and advocacy.

HCMA Blog

Medical Management May

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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