A recent study by Korean researchers found that HCM is associated with mental health disorders, especially during the first year after a HCM diagnosis.
This study only scratches the surface of the topic, but it does bring up an important point which we hope that medical providers will take to heart: the mental health of HCM patients is just as important as their physical health and sometimes, mental health referrals and/or medications may be a necessary part of the HCM treatment plan.
A recent Chinese study found that patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who also suffered from clinical depression had a higher risk of sudden cardiac death and/or heart failure.
The researchers behind this study hypothesize that psychological treatment for depression could improve clinical outcomes in these patients and they suggest that further research is warranted.
This article by Dr. Stephen Heitner of Oregon Health & Science University covers some simple lifestyle changes that can help HCM patients feel much better. In particular, Dr. Heitner mentions:
The above lifestyle changes, combined with appropriate medical treatment, will keep HCM patients feeling their best.
This highly informative blog article from Carolyn Thomas of Heart Sisters , while targeted toward people with coronary artery disease, contains much useful information which can be applied to heart patients with other conditions as well. This particular article offers many useful suggestions of ways to help combat depression which could just as easily be implemented by those with HCM.
An added bonus is that most of these suggestions do not involve ingesting anything at all!
One caveat she mentions, which bears repeating, is that you should ALWAYS discuss any type of dietary supplement with your cardiologist before you begin taking it.
HCM Beat 