Practical advice on managing diet and lifestyle for individuals diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
People with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) are advised to follow a heart-healthy diet to promote heart health and manage symptoms. The recommended dietary changes include a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, similar to the Mediterranean or DASH diets.
The diet emphasizes plants, whole grains, lean proteins (such as skinless poultry, legumes, nuts), low-fat dairy, and low sodium. Processed foods, added sugars, saturated fats, and high sodium intake should be avoided. Maintaining good hydration is also crucial to support blood volume and prevent symptoms like lightheadedness or fainting.
Regarding lifestyle adjustments, regular mild-intensity aerobic exercise like walking or biking for about 30 to 60 minutes daily or around 150 minutes per week is recommended. High-intensity workouts or heavy lifting should be avoided, especially for those at higher risk for arrhythmias or significant obstruction. Yearly evaluations are important to adjust exercise safely according to personal health status.
Stress management, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding dehydration in hot climates or during exercise are also recommended to improve overall quality of life and symptom control. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, deep breathing, journaling may help people with HCM manage their stress.
For those with HCM, achieving a healthy weight and managing stress can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life. It's important to consult a healthcare professional before increasing the amount of physical activity, especially if medication is being taken or symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness are present.
The AHA recommends people with HCM should avoid drinking alcohol, and those who do drink should do so in moderation (1-2 drinks per day for men, and 1 drink per day for women). Nontropical vegetable oils are recommended as alternatives to saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats are present in foods like lamb, beef, pork, poultry with skin, butter, cream, and trans fats are partially hydrogenated oils present in fried food, pizza dough, pastry, cookies, and crackers.
Quitting smoking is beneficial for heart health and for those with HCM, as smoking increases the risk of heart disease by two to four times. The diet involves prioritizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and foods low in saturated fat. Lean and unprocessed poultry or meat can be eaten by those who eat meat or poultry.
It's worth noting that the average American adult consumes more than the recommended daily amount of sodium and sugar. People with HCM may benefit from moderate-intensity activity for at least 150 minutes a week, or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week. A combination of both is also possible.
Collaborating with a cardiologist and possibly a dietitian can help tailor these adjustments effectively to meet individual needs. Sleep disordered breathing, including conditions such as sleep apnea, is a potential comorbidity of HCM, affecting up to 50% of people with HCM. Seeking treatment for this may help a person with HCM sleep better.
References:
[1] American Heart Association. (2021). Diet and lifestyle recommendations for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/treatment-of-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/diet-and-lifestyle-recommendations-for-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy
[2] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). Living with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy
[3] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374088
[5] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16697-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy
- For individuals with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), it's advisable to focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, including skinless poultry, legumes, nuts, and low-fat dairy, to promote heart health and manage symptoms, similar to the Mediterranean or DASH diets.
- To improve overall quality of life and symptom control, individuals with HCM are recommended to avoid processed foods, added sugars, saturated fats, high sodium intake, and alcohol, while maintaining good hydration, achieving a healthy weight, and managing stress.
- Since the average American adult consumes more than the recommended daily amount of sodium and sugar, people with HCM may benefit from consulting with a cardiologist and possibly a dietitian to tailor these adjustments effectively to meet individual needs and avoid potential comorbidities like sleep apnea, affecting up to 50% of people with HCM.
