Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

www.nursingcriticalcare.com Mrs. M, 54, was admitted to the ED after a syncopal episode that resulted in a head injury. Based on an ECG and echocardiography findings, she was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). After her head injury was determined non-life-threatening, the treating physician discharged her with instructions to follow up with a cardiologist and consider having family members tested for this genetic disorder. HCM is a common genetically determined heart muscle disease. Worldwide, without discrimination for race, gender, or ethnicity, HCM has a prevalence of approximately 1 out of 200 to 1 out of 300 in the general population. Based on current data, the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association estimates that HCM affects 1 million or more people in the US and 36 million or more worldwide.1 HCM is differentiated from other types of cardiomyopathy by the absence of any known clinical cause. In some instances, its Abstract: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a common congenital heart disease, is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in adolescents, young adults, and athletes. Older adults with HCM are less likely to experience sudden cardiac death, but their quality of life can be impaired. This article discusses diagnostic criteria, treatments, and critical care nursing interventions, including patient teaching, for adults with HCM.