Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Prevention: Diet Tips

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The heart is made up of strong muscles. This allows it to pump blood carrying oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart condition that causes the muscles in the wall of the left ventricle to become thicker than normal. This means that there’s less space for blood to flow through. Thicker muscle is also less flexible. With HCM, the heart may be less able to pump blood efficiently through the body.

If you have a family member with HCM, it’s important to have regular screening for the condition. When diagnosed early, treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent long-term effects.

If untreated, HCM may lead to heart failure. This happens when the heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. HCM can also cause an irregular heart rate. This may increase the risk of a blood clot when blood pools in the heart chambers.

Along with routine screening, following a heart-healthy lifestyle is recommended for people at risk of HCM. That includes things like:

That also includes eating a heart-healthy diet. There’s no specific diet to prevent or manage HCM, but eating habits may play a role.