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Watch Out for These Symptoms of Common Heart Condition, HCM

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​​​​​​There are so many things that happen in February. We have birthdays for my dad and sister, the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day—and we can’t forget that it’s also American Heart Month. I like that we dedicate an entire month to heart health. It’s a great time to learn about ways to keep our heart healthy but also a time to get informed on some heart conditions that we may not know that much about. One of those heart conditions is HCM. I must admit going into this interview with The Christ Hospital Cardiologist, Ankit Bhatia, I didn’t really know anything about it but found out that it could be a little more common than you think

What is HCM?

HCM stands for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. According to Dr. Bhatia, “It is the most common inherited heart condition affecting around 1 in 300 people. It is characterized by an abnormal heart thickening.”

Dr. Bhatia is Co-Medical Director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center at The Christ Hospital – the region’s first, dedicated HCM Center, as well as the first to be designated by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association as an HCM Center of Excellence.

The most common symptoms include shortness of breath with exertion, dizziness/lightheadedness/fainting and chest pain. If you have HCM, it can often become difficult to breathe while you’re exercising. Dr. Bhatia explained, “Many people with HCM are often relatively healthy with high baseline functional status—it takes more significant exertion for these people to manifest their symptoms.”

Family history

If you have a family history of HCM, it is important for you to pay attention to your body and think about your children, too. Dr. Bhatia said, “HCM remains relatively uncommon in children, but should be considered, especially if there is a family history of HCM, early heart failure or sudden death. Ve​ry rarely, this condition can present as sudden death, especially in young athletes.”

If you or a loved one think you have some symptoms of HCM, it is best to check in with your Primary Care Physician (PCP). Your PCP will run some tests and could refer you to a cardiologist.

For more information on Dr. Ankit Bhatia, click here​.

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Q102's Jennifer Fritsch
​​Jennifer Fritsch is part of the Jeff and Jenn Mo​rning Show on Q102, which airs on weekdays from 5:30-10 a.m. She is also a co-host on Q102’s Hot List, weekdays at 10 a.m. When she isn't working, Fritsch enjoys traveling, visiting new places and of course, being a mom! She has a daughter named Penelope, and thoroughly enjoys trying new things together as a mother/daughter duo.  As a paid partner of The Christ Hospital Health Network, Fritsch is eager to share all experiences through Healthspirations.​
Watch Out for These Symptoms of Common Heart Condition, HCM Q102’s Jennifer Fritsch met with Ankit Bhatia, MD, from The Christ Hospital Health Network to learn more about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM - a common inherited heart condition affecting round 1 in 300 people.
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​​​​​​There are so many things that happen in February. We have birthdays for my dad and sister, the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day—and we can’t forget that it’s also American Heart Month. I like that we dedicate an entire month to heart health. It’s a great time to learn about ways to keep our heart healthy but also a time to get informed on some heart conditions that we may not know that much about. One of those heart conditions is HCM. I must admit going into this interview with The Christ Hospital Cardiologist, Ankit Bhatia, I didn’t really know anything about it but found out that it could be a little more common than you think

What is HCM?

HCM stands for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. According to Dr. Bhatia, “It is the most common inherited heart condition affecting around 1 in 300 people. It is characterized by an abnormal heart thickening.”

Dr. Bhatia is Co-Medical Director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center at The Christ Hospital – the region’s first, dedicated HCM Center, as well as the first to be designated by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association as an HCM Center of Excellence.

The most common symptoms include shortness of breath with exertion, dizziness/lightheadedness/fainting and chest pain. If you have HCM, it can often become difficult to breathe while you’re exercising. Dr. Bhatia explained, “Many people with HCM are often relatively healthy with high baseline functional status—it takes more significant exertion for these people to manifest their symptoms.”

Family history

If you have a family history of HCM, it is important for you to pay attention to your body and think about your children, too. Dr. Bhatia said, “HCM remains relatively uncommon in children, but should be considered, especially if there is a family history of HCM, early heart failure or sudden death. Ve​ry rarely, this condition can present as sudden death, especially in young athletes.”

If you or a loved one think you have some symptoms of HCM, it is best to check in with your Primary Care Physician (PCP). Your PCP will run some tests and could refer you to a cardiologist.

For more information on Dr. Ankit Bhatia, click here​.

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