Examples of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in patients

The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute Announces New Clinic to Fight Heart Disease

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients Can See Improvement in Life-Expectancy in Early Diagnosis and Treatment

CINCINNATI (September 7, 2022) – The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center is the region’s first, dedicated HCM Center. The Christ Hospital offers comprehensive care for adults with HCM, a heart condition that causes the heart’s walls to thicken and can lead to heart failure.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart muscle and could lead to other serious health conditions. About 1 in 500 people suffer from this disease and it is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. The new clinic will be the only one of its kind in the region

“Our cardiac specialists are experts in all aspects of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy,” Dean Kereiakes, MD, FACC, MSCAI, President of The Heart & Vascular Institute. “At this new clinic, we work together to bring treatments proven best for patients diagnosed with HCM. We focus on everything it takes to control symptoms, lower the risk for sudden cardiac death and help those live a normal life.”

HCM is a chronic condition so early detection and treatment are important to prevent progression. Some people have few or no symptoms. As a result, HCM may sometimes go undiagnosed or be misdiagnosed by doctors with little experience with the condition.

Symptoms can include:

• Chest pain, especially with physical activity

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Fainting

• Fatigue

• Heartbeats that are faster or stronger than usual or irregular

• Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity

“At the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, we personalize your care to focus on your needs and overall health,” said Wojciech Mazur, MD, Medical Director of the HCM Center. “We offer the latest medications and advanced heart procedures. We also provide education, genetic testing and counseling. HCM can impact patients both psychologically and physically and because of this we address the emotional aspects of a diagnosis."

HCM is usually inherited, so it’s important to know if others in your family have been diagnosed with the condition or experienced heart failure or cardiac arrest. To learn more about HCM care at The Christ Hospital and schedule an appointment, please call 513-648-5555 or go to the webiste here.

About The Christ Hospital Health Network

The Christ Hospital Health Network is an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn with a remote hospital location in Liberty Township, five ambulatory outpatient centers and dozens of offices conveniently located throughout the region. More than 1,300 talented physicians and more than 6,000 dedicated team members support the Network. Its mission is to improve the health of the community and to create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes and the finest experiences, all in an affordable way. The Network has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 hospital in the Cincinnati Region and awarded Healthgrades “America’s 50 Best Hospitals” for being in the top 1% in the nation for providing the highest clinical quality year over year. It is also a Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award recipient, which recognizes top-performing healthcare organizations that achieve the 95th percentile or above of performance in patient experience. The Christ Hospital is among a select number of hospitals in the nation to be awarded Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. For more than 130 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves.