Piedmont’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program Recognized as an HCMA Center of Excellence
April 18, 2025
Piedmont Heart has been recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association.
Piedmont’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program offers complete multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, from medical to surgical treatment options. "Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) often goes undiagnosed despite its relatively high prevalence in the general population. This is because many people with HCM have minor or even no symptoms. However, there are several common signs and symptoms to be aware of in this population."
Because hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is inherited, it can't be prevented. However, it is important to identify the condition as early as possible to guide
treatment and prevent complications. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through weight, diet modification, and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise will help with symptoms and overall energy levels.
Specific treatment for HCM will be determined based on:
- Age, overall health, and medical history
- Extent of the disease
- Presence/Absence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction
- Functional capacity
- Perceived risk for sudden cardiac death
- Tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the disease
- Patient's opinion or preference
HCM is a genetic condition that causes a person’s heart muscle to thicken and block or reduce blood flow out of the heart. Over time, if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including stroke or sudden cardiac death. It is estimated that 1 in every 250 people worldwide have HCM, and it is the number one cause of sudden cardiac death in people under the age of 40. Diagnosing HCM can be challenging as many patients experience mild or no symptoms, which is one of the reasons it’s important to be seen by a comprehensive and specialized team.
About Piedmont
Piedmont is empowering Georgians by changing health care. We continue to fuel Georgia’s growth through safe, high-quality care close to home through an integrated health care system that provides a hassle-free, unified experience. We are a private, not-for-profit organization with more than 12,000 donors
annually that for centuries has sought to make a positive difference in every life we touch in the communities we serve. Across our 1,755 physical locations we care for more than 4 million patients and serve communities that comprise 85 percent of Georgia’s population. This includes 26 hospitals, 75
Piedmont Urgent Care centers, 25 QuickCare locations, 1,875 Piedmont Clinic physician practices and nearly 3,600 Piedmont Clinic members. Our patients conveniently engage with Piedmont online, as the scheduled more than 612,000 online appointments and over 163,000 virtual visits. With more than 47,000
care givers we are the largest Georgia-based private employer of Georgians, who all came for the job, but stayed for the people. In 2024 and 2023, Piedmont has earned recognition from Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and also as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for
Women. In 2022, Forbes ranked Piedmont on its list of the Best Large Employers in the United States. In addition, Piedmont provided nearly $390 million in community benefit programming and uncompensated care in Fiscal Year 2023.
For more information about Piedmont, visit https://www.4hcm.org/coe/piedmont.
About the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association
The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, HCMA, was founded in 1996 as an international resource for patients, families, and the medical community on matters of importance to the HCM spectrum community. HCM is a genetic heart muscle disorder affecting 1 in 250 people worldwide. The HCMA provides services to enhance understanding, provide support, foster research, ensure high-quality health care, and support public policies of importance to the entire bighearted community.
The HCMA is a 501c(3) with offices in Denville, NJ, and online at www.4hcm.org for more information, contact us at 973-983-7429.
For more information on all HCMA Recognized Centers of Excellence, please visit
https://4hcm.org/center-of-excellence/.