According to this recent article in the European Heart Journal, traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes are associated with more severe forms of HCM. Therefore, the authors suggest that these additional risk factors should be aggressively managed so as to limit their impact on HCM.
In particular, the authors made the following recommendations:
Exercise: Recreational exercise should be encouraged in HCM patients.
This recommendation was largely based on the findings of the recent RESET-HCM study which found that moderate exercise, specifically tailored to each individual patient’s capacity, was beneficial to the patient’s general health and well being. **For an in-depth look at the RESET-HCM study, check out this recent HCMBeat interview with the authors of the study, Drs. Sara Saberi and Sharlene Day.
Eating and Drinking:
Patients should avoid large meals and should not exercise immediately after eating.
Care should be taken to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Alcohol should only be consumed in moderation.
Healthy weight should be maintained.
Hypertension should be treated aggressively, though treatment may be challenging, especially in obstructive HCM.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which may exist in as many as 70% of HCM patients, should be treated to minimize potential for arrhythmia and to improve blood flow.
HCM Beat 