Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic (HCMC)

The thickened heart makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood. It can lead to symptoms of exertional chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness. In addition, this disease can disrupt electrical signals within the heart leading to different types of arrhythmias, some of which can be life threatening.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy tests

There are many tests that may be used to help diagnose and monitor your hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. What tests you need will be determined by your health-care provider and based on your specific health condition. Your health-care provider will discuss any tests required with you.

Common tests you may have:

• Cardiac Angiogram (Heart Catheterization)
• Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Cardiac Stress Test
• Chest X-Ray
• Echocardiogram (Echo)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Holter Monitor
• Lab Tests

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy treatments & procedures

There are many treatments and procedures that may be used to treat and manage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. What treatments or procedures you need will be determined in discussion with your health care provider and based on your specific health condition. Some common treatments and procedures that you may have are listed below. 

• Self-Care and Management - Mindfulness + Pause Practice Videos Education Series playlist
  • From the Heart Pause Practice
  • Setting Intentions Pause Practice
  • Receiving Hope + Releasing Fear Mindfulness Practice
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy medication might include (depending on symptoms):
  • Beta Blocker: metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL) or bisoprolol
  • Calcium Channel Blockers: verapamil (Verelan) or diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others)
  • Mavacamten (Camzyos) Camzyos Patient Guide, Camzyos Patient Card
  • Heart rhythm medicines: amiodarone (Pacerone), sotalol or disopyramide (Norpace).
  • Blood thinners: warfarin (Jantoven), dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or apixaban (Eliquis). Blood thinners can help prevent blood clots if you have atrial fibrillation or the apical type of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Implanted heart device
  • Pacemaker
    • Patient Information Booklet: Pacemakers
  • Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
    • Patient Information Booklet: Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
    • Patient Information Booklet: Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
  • Catheter ablation for abnormal heart rhythms
    • Patient Information Booklet: Electrophysiology Studies and Cardiac Ablations   
  • Learn more about implanted heart devices
• Procedures
  • Septal reduction therapy (by catheters or surgically)
    • Alcohol Septal Ablation | University of Ottawa Heart Institute
    • Septal Myectomy