an article in this month's Journal of American College of Cardiology looks at severe (>3 CM) hypertrophy in some 70 HCM people over 6+ years of observation and found that regression (thinning) of the septum (heart wall) occured significantly (>0.5 cm) in almost 60% of the individuals. The idea that the heart remodels and is so dynamic is somewhat novel to cardiology, especially that HCM can regress in its severest form. this might help explain why late onset HCM generally has a much better prognosis than early onset. This issue of growth and regression raises some really interesting questions; FIRST, what causes the enlargement and more importantly, what causes it to shrink? We must understand these issues if there is ever to be a cure.
I'd love to hear from anyone who has had regression and anyone who has ideas about what might make it regress? ACE inhibitors, fish oil, statins, genetics, good luck?? Maybe some people have an idea about what accelerates the growth of the heart wall? Alcohol, age, coffeee, stress? Let me hear from you.
I'd love to hear from anyone who has had regression and anyone who has ideas about what might make it regress? ACE inhibitors, fish oil, statins, genetics, good luck?? Maybe some people have an idea about what accelerates the growth of the heart wall? Alcohol, age, coffeee, stress? Let me hear from you.
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