The Christ Hospital Health Network was recently selected as one of 15 HCM clinics nationally chosen to pilot the American Heart Association’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Registry, powered by Get With the Guidelines®. Ankit Bhatia, MD, Co-Director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, chairs a workgroup for the initiative to develop evidence-based educational materials aimed at enhancing provider knowledge, competence and clinical practice in the diagnosis, management and care coordination of HCM.

“As research, clinical trials and awareness of HCM becomes more prevalent, I continue to be inspired by our providers and team members that work to make our community healthier,” said Ankit Bhatia, MD, FACC, advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist and Co-Director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center. “This award continues to show the dedication of The Christ Hospital Health Network to advancing the care of HCM patients.”

HCM is a relatively common (1 in 300 people) and often inherited disease where the heart muscle thickens and becomes stiff, making it difficult to pump blood. This disease has many symptoms and can take many forms, which makes HCM difficult to diagnose and can often result in a misdiagnosis.

“We are honored by this recognition from the American Heart Association, which acknowledges our teams’ dedication and commitment to providing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with a specialized center for diagnostic expertise and compassionate care,” said Wojciech Mazur, MD, FACC, cardiologist and Co-Director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center. “We continue to be a destination for cardiovascular health and awards like this shine a spotlight on the talented providers of our HCM program.”

1.3 million Americans suffer from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or HCM, the most common genetic heart disease in the United States. In Cincinnati, there could be as many as 13,000 potential HCM patients but according to the National Institutes of Health, only 15% of these individuals are aware they have the condition. This disease affects every age, gender and ethnicity, worsening over time. Individuals may have no initial symptoms while others experience fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, fainting and even sudden cardiac death.

“This recognition highlights the incredible dedication of our clinical team,” said Elisabeth Ashleigh Schwartz, BSN, RN, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy RN Program Coordinator. “Clinical research is the cornerstone that enables patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to access new treatment options, and we are honored to be part of this vital work. Our team’s commitment to advancing research and improving clinical care is what drives our success.”

This comes after The Christ Hospital Health Network was awarded by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA) Center of Excellence for HCM care. The Christ Hospital is one of only two HCM Centers of Excellence in Ohio and one of only 50 in the entire country. If you’re interested in learning more about HCM or would like to schedule an appointment to get tested, click here.

About The Christ Hospital Health Network

The Christ Hospital Health Network consists of an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn, a remote hospital location in Liberty Township, eight ambulatory outpatient centers and dozens of medical offices throughout the region. For 135 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves. Made up of more than 1,300 physicians and more than 7,200 team members, our mission is to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional outcomes in an affordable way. The Network was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 hospital in the Cincinnati Region and named to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals list in 2025.