“The diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be suspected in young people; particularly those performing stressful athletics if there are certain symptoms, physical exam signs, or ECG abnormalities,” Dr. Unterman explains, “An echocardiogram can confirm the diagnosis.”
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart in which there is thickening (hypertrophy) of a portion of the left ventricle of the heart out of proportion to the others. This can commonly include the muscular septum between the left and right ventricles but rarely can cause the thickening of the apex (tip) of the left ventricle.
Eastside Heart and Vascular Physicians: Dr. Demir Baykal, Dr. Marcus Sims, Dr. Marc Unterman, Dr. Michael Lipsitt, & Dr. Niraj Sharma“In about two-thirds of cases, there is outflow obstruction of the left ventricle, causing decreased blood flow, particularly with exercise. This can be a generalized problem with the entire muscle of the left ventricle in severe cases,” says Dr. Unterman, “This disease is frequently associated with sudden cardiac death by arrhythmias, which are electrical abnormalities.”
Some people who have this disease have severe symptoms and complications while others have no signs or symptoms and are not affected. The question then becomes, how do physicians diagnose this disease?
“Diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is determined by physical exam (a murmur), ECG abnormalities, and by ultrasound of the heart, which is called an echocardiogram. While the majority of patients may never have a problem, symptomatic patients must be treated,” stated Dr. Unterman.
“Treatment for this condition can include medications, implantable defibrillators, surgery on the heart muscle, or even alcohol septal ablation. Alcohol septal ablation consists of alcohol being injected down the septal branches of the coronary to destroy the offending muscle,” Dr. Unterman further explained, “The challenge we face now as a nation is how to screen our large population of athletes.”
If you would like more information on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, other cardiovascular conditions or treatments, you can count on Dr. Marc Unterman and the experienced physicians at Eastside Heart and Vascular for all of your heart care needs. The practice will be open to see patients at their Snellville and Lawrenceville locations as well as satellite offices throughout Gwinnett and Walton County on November 1. The physicians of Eastside Heart and Vascular will include Dr. Marc I. Unterman, Dr. Marcus C. Sims, Dr. Michael A. Lipsitt, Dr. Niraj Sharma, and Dr. Demir Baykal. Dr. Unterman and his colleagues have assembled a team of physicians that will bring the latest expertise and techniques in cardiology to the local community.
