Stacey Titus • May 1, 2023
The University of Colorado Hospital – Aurora, CO

The University of Colorado is one of our newest HCMA Recognized Centers of Excellence. The UCHealth Team is honored to be recognized and work in partnership with the HCMA to genuinely provide the highest standard of care for patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. The mission of the University of Colorado’s HCM Program is to improve the lives of patients with HCM by providing first-class medical care to patients and their families, by educating others and increasing the awareness of HCM, and by participating in innovative research to advance the field. The UC Health Team provides multidisciplinary care across the spectrum of the disease, with all adult specialists in a single location and pediatric specialists on an adjacent campus. The program’s values are patients first, integrity, and excellence.

The University of Colorado team consists of the following members:

David Raymer MD and Edward Gill MD as Co-directors

Electrophysiology: Alexis Tumolo MD

Pediatrics/Pediatric Electrophysiology: Stephanie Nakano MD

CT Surgery: Joseph Cleveland, MD

Genetics: Matthew Taylor MD/ Louis Mestroni MD

Heart Failure/Transplant: David Raymer MD

Imaging (MRI) Danie Groves MD

Imaging (advanced Echo) Edward Gill MD

Nursing Support:  Kristy Gama NP/Cassy Wilkins RN

Co-Director Edward Gill says, “With regard to scientific advancements, we anticipate participating in a number of clinical trials regarding HCM drugs in patients.

The breakthrough myosin inhibitor, Mavacamten, was developed at the University of Colorado at the Cardiovascular Institute at CU Boulder under Leslie Leinwand, Ph.D. Also, Dr. Mestroni has just recently learned of funding of her NIH RO1 grant that deals specifically with cardiac genetics.”

Please join HCMA as we feature The University of Colorado HCM team for our next virtual stop of the Bighearted Warriors Unite tour on May 23 at 8:30 PM EST. Highlights are as follows:  Introductions to the UCHealth team, Comprehensive HCM Center Care, HCM Echocardiography: A Primer for Patients, Kids are Not Little Adults: Unique Issues Affecting Children with HCM, & A Look into the Future: Artificial Intelligence & Gene Therapy for HCM. Register here for this free event:  https://4hcm.org/inspire_events/bighearted-warriors-unite-featuring-university-of-colorado-hospital/

Please visit for more information about The University of Colorado Hospital – HCM program in Aurora, CO, please visit:  https://4hcm.org/university-of-colorado-hospital/

Stacey Titus, Center of Excellence Coordinator

For more information on all HCMA Recognized Centers of Excellence, please visit  https://4hcm.org/center-of-excellence/.

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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