Some people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are at high risk for sudden death. If you are at high risk, you may want to ask your doctor about an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), which can identify life-threatening arrhythmias and successfully restore a normal heartbeat.
Your doctor may suggest an ICD if you are at high risk for sudden death. You are at high risk for sudden death if you:1
- Have had cardiac arrest or ventricular tachycardia in the past.
- Had a family member with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who died suddenly or you have any of the genetic abnormalities associated with sudden death.
- Have fainted (syncope).
- Have had low blood pressure during or after exercise.
- Have extreme left ventricle thickness (more than 30 millimeters).
References
Citations
Epstein AE, et al. (2008). ACC/AHA/HRS 2008 Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy of Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the ACC/AHA/NASPE 2002 Guideline Update for Implantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia Devices): Developed in Collaboration With the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Circulation, 117(21): e350–e408.
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology |
| Last Updated | December 12, 2008 |
