Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Our team includes cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and cardiac radiologists who are experts in diagnosing and treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) as well as expert nurses, advanced practice providers, sonographers, and genetic counselors. We also offer pediatric cardiology at Golisano Children’s Hospital.

We will review your history, your family history, perform a physical exam, and review the cardiac testing that has already been completed. We follow a shared decision-making model involving the patient in the decision-making process for testing and treatment. Together, we balance risks and outcomes with your preferences and values.

Diagnostics at our integrated HCM Center include:

• Evaluation by a cardiologist who specializes in HCM
• Echocardiogram/ultrasound of your heart
• Holter monitor, using temporary monitors to watch your heart rhythm
• Comprehensive discussion of treatment options
• Transesophageal Echocardiogram
• As needed:
  • blood work
  • stress test
  • heart MRI
  • heart catheterization

Treatments include:

• Medications, including Camzyos, the first of its kind that targets the source of symptomatic obstructive HCM
• Cardiac device therapy such as pacemaker, implantable cardiovert defibrillator, or implantable loop recorder
• Minimally invasive alcohol septal ablation, a nonsurgical procedure using alcohol to shrink the enlarged area
• Septal myectomy, a surgical solution to remove a part of the heart to increase blood flow
• Referral to our Advanced Heart Failure Clinic if needed

Genetic Counseling

HCM is a genetic disease. Genetic testing is offered to all patients with a diagnosis of HCM. Test results are confidential. If a genetic cause of HCM is found with testing, then screening for that specific gene mutation can be offered to other family members to better understand their risk. Our program includes a medical geneticist and board-certified genetic counselors. We will discuss genetic testing during your office visits.