admin • May 17, 2023
Lifestyle and Exercise in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (LIVE-HCM) Results Released

Vigorous Exercise in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – JAMA Cardiology | Original Investigation

Exercise has well-established physical and mental health benefits and is an integral part of life for millions of people worldwide. However, for individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the possibility that physical activity may heighten the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) has led to exercise restriction and disqualification from competitive sports.

HCM is defined by unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and has a worldwide prevalence of approximately 1 in 500 individuals.1 It is the most common genetic cardiomyopathy and is inherited as a mendelian trait in approximately 50% of patients, predominantly due to pathogenic variants in genes that encode sarcomeric proteins. In others, it is expressed as a complex trait with contributions from both polygenic and acquired factors. Some patients with HCM may experience symptoms of heart failure and atrial and/or ventricular arrhythmias, whereas others have normal longevity and good quality of life.

Results of this cohort study suggest that among individuals with HCM or those who are genotype positive/phenotype negative and are treated in experienced centers, those exercising vigorously did not experience a higher rate of death or life-threatening arrhythmias than those exercising moderately or those who were sedentary. These data may inform discussion between the patient and their expert clinician around exercise participation.

Click here to learn more.

Click here to view the recording of LIVE – HCM Study Discussion Webinar

Rachel Lampert, MD; Michael J. Ackerman, MD, PhD; Bradley S. Marino, MD; Matthew Burg, PhD;
Barbara Ainsworth, PhD, MPH; Lisa Salberg; Maria Teresa Tome Esteban, MD, PhD; Carolyn Y. Ho, MD;
Roselle Abraham, MD; Seshadri Balaji, MBBS, PhD; Cheryl Barth, BS; Charles I. Berul, MD; Martijn Bos, MD;
David Cannom, MD; Lubna Choudhury, MD; Maryann Concannon, MSW; Robert Cooper, MD;
Richard J. Czosek, MD; Anne M. Dubin, MD; James Dziura, PhD; Benjamin Eidem, MD; Michael S. Emery, MD;
N. A. Mark Estes, MD; Susan P. Etheridge, MD; Jeffrey B. Geske, MD; Belinda Gray, MBBS, PhD; Kevin Hall, MD;
Kimberly G. Harmon, MD; Cynthia A. James, PhD; Ashwin K. Lal, MD; Ian H. Law, MD; Fangyong Li, MS;
Mark S. Link, MD; William J. McKenna, MD; Silvana Molossi, MD, PhD; Brian Olshansky, MD;
Steven R. Ommen, MD; Elizabeth V. Saarel, MD; Sara Saberi, MD, MS; Laura Simone, MS; Gordon Tomaselli, MD;
James S. Ware, MD; Douglas P. Zipes, MD; Sharlene M. Day, MD; for the LIVE Consortium

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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