Cardiac diseases of young people. II: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
HCM is an uncommon but serious disease with important implications in the services. It requires extensive evaluation and careful consideration of measures to reduce the risk of sudden death or deterioration to end stage heart failure. This can be achieved only by cardiologists with access to non-invasive and invasive testing facilities and with reference to colleagues with wide experience of the condition. It has been suggested that in those identified to be at high risk of sudden death, appropriate therapeutic measures including drug and pacing therapy may allow a return to strenuous activity. These findings are preliminary, involving small numbers of patients and are unlikely to be acceptable in a service environment. HCM should be a bar to entry into the services but if the diagnosis is made during active service it may be compatible with limited continued service following full evaluation including an assessment of risk of sudden death.
Cowley
M L
ML
Royal Naval District Hospital Unit, Derriford, Plymouth.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors