The HCM Journey

Symptoms

Symptoms from HCM can be difficult to define for some patients as they have lived with an HCM heart typically long before "official diagnosis", therefore "normal" is complicated to understand. There is no particular symptom or complaint which is unique to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but there are typical symptoms patients experience. 


Symptoms may occur at any stage in a person’s life. Even patients who previously had no or minimal symptoms can become more symptomatic for seemingly no reason. It is not usually clear why symptoms appear when they do. 



What causes symptoms in HCM? This is a multifactoral process of the hearts' inability to pump and relax effectively. As HCM is present for years prior to diagnosis; symptoms do not typically begin suddenly. 


The HCMA is committed to promoting education about the symptoms and treatment options for patients, their families, and their medical providers. 

This page will guide you to detailed information on various symptoms. It is however important to understand that some patients may never have any recognizable symptoms, yet still be at high risk for HCM related complications including sudden cardiac arrest.


Explore Symptoms

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is a feeling that one cannot breathe well.
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Palpitations

Palpitation is the feeling that your heartbeat is unusually strong, fast, or irregular.
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Chest Pain/Pressure

Chest pain or pressure (angina) is caused by the lack of oxygen-rich blood getting to the heart muscle.
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Fatigue

Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness or lack of energy, even when sleeping enough.
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Light-headedness

Light-headedness is a feeling as though you might faint.
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Brain Fog

Brain fog, sometimes referred to as fuzzy thinking, is a momentary lapse in mental acuity and alertness.
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Fainting (syncope) and near-syncope

Fainting, also known as syncope, is the temporary and sudden loss of consciousness.
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No symptoms

Some people with heart disease do not know they have it because it may not cause symptoms, especially early on.