HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY Meaning and
Definition
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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal thickening or enlargement (hypertrophy) of the heart muscle (myocardium), specifically affecting the walls of the heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricle) or, less commonly, the right ventricle. This disorder is often inherited and is considered the most common genetic heart disease, affecting people of all ages.
The thickened muscle in HCM makes it harder for the heart to effectively pump blood, causing various symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, and fainting. These symptoms may worsen during physical exertion or exercise, as the heart struggles to accommodate increased demands. In some cases, individuals with HCM may remain asymptomatic or experience very mild symptoms.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be diagnosed through a range of medical imaging and tests, including echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and genetic testing. Treatment options for HCM aim to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events. These may include medications to improve heart function, control heart rate, and prevent blood clots, as well as lifestyle modifications like avoiding strenuous activities and maintaining a healthy weight.
In severe cases, surgical interventions such as septal myectomy (removal of part of the thickened heart muscle) or alcohol septal ablation (destruction of a small portion of the thickened muscle) may be recommended to alleviate symptoms and improve heart function. Regular cardiac monitoring and close collaboration with a medical team are crucial for individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to effectively manage their condition.
Common Misspellings for HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY
- gypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- bypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- nypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- jypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- uypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- yypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- htpertrophic cardiomyopathy
- hgpertrophic cardiomyopathy
- hhpertrophic cardiomyopathy
- hupertrophic cardiomyopathy
- h7pertrophic cardiomyopathy
- h6pertrophic cardiomyopathy
- hyoertrophic cardiomyopathy
- hylertrophic cardiomyopathy
- hy-ertrophic cardiomyopathy
- hy0ertrophic cardiomyopathy
- hypwrtrophic cardiomyopathy
- hypsrtrophic cardiomyopathy
- hypdrtrophic cardiomyopathy
Etymology of HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY
The word "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy" can be broken down into its constituent parts to understand its etymology:
1. "Hyper-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word meaning "excessive" or "above normal".
2. "Trophic" comes from the Greek word "trophē", meaning "nourishment" or "growth".
3. "Cardio-" is a combining form derived from the Greek word "kardia", meaning "heart".
4. "-myo-" is a combining form derived from the Greek word "mys", meaning "muscle".
5. "-pathy" is a suffix derived from the Greek word "pathos", meaning "suffering" or "disease".
So, "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy" can be understood to mean a cardiac condition where there is excessive growth or thickening of the heart muscle, leading to a specific disease or suffering.
