Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Screening Test

Screening for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Athletes

In recent years more attention has been given to Hypertophic Cardiomyopathy as a cause of sudden death in athletes. At My Concierge MD we are able to thoroughly evaluate high school, college, amateur and professional athletes in Los Angeles for this rare, but fatal disorder at either of our offices located in Century City and Tarzana.

Your HCM Screening rules out Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and other cardiac disorders through:

• A Detailed History and Physical
• Laboratory Testing
• An EKG
• A 2D echo
• A Treadmill Test *
• Consultation with Cardiologist *

* As required per individual patient

What is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or HCM / HOCM is a rare condition that is associated with sudden death in young athletes caused by abnormal thickening of the walls of the heart.

What is the cause of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

The actual cause of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy HOCM / HCM may not yet be clearly understood or known, but it is thought that a genetic predisposition for the disorder may be inherited.

Can anabolic steroids play a role in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Reports have linked steroid use with an increased left ventricular mass, HOCM, and sudden death in athletes. Steroid use has also been linked to increase size of the heart's chambers as well as impaired function.

How common is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

The exact frequency of the disorder still remains unknown, but it is estimated that between 1-in-500 to 1-in-1000 births could be affected by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

What are the complications of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Arrythmias and irregularities of the heart are common complications of HOCM and Heart Block and Sudden death in young, otherwise healthy athletes occurs without warning. Athletes are particularly at risk since physical activity increases the likeliness of triggering the arrhythmias that lead to sudden death.

How many athletes actually die from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

There have been several articles publish that state as many as 100,000 young athletes die each year from cardio-vascular disorders which include Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy as a result of sports participation. Congenital abnormalities of the blood vessels in the heart are the second most common cardiovascular cause of death in young athletes.

How can Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy of the Heart detected?

A thorough physical wiith diagnostic testing by one of our experienced physicians will detect Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Will the normal pre-participation physical performed at the school detect Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

The answer is NO! Sudden Death in athletes at school often happens even though the school performed a physical on the student. Only direct visualization of the heart during a Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Test can rule out HCM.

To learn more about our screening for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM / HCMO) in Los Angeles and how to detect the risk of athlete sudden death, please give us a call directly at 888-909-9747 or Contact Us today!