Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Cats: All You Need to Know

Did you know that HCM is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats?
HCM or Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a cardiac condition that causes the muscular walls of the heart to enlarge or excessively thicken. In a cat with HCM, the left ventricle is thickened, leading to a decrease in the volume of the heart chamber. This can lead to an abnormal relaxation of the heart muscle. The heart may beat rapidly to compensate, causing increased oxygen consumption and possible oxygen starvation of the heart muscle. This oxygen starvation can cause heart cells to die off, significantly worsening heart function and leading to the development of arrhythmias (in which the heart beats too rapidly, too slowly, or with an irregular rhythm). HCM is a serious condition that too often goes undiagnosed. As an emergency clinic, we have seen an unfortunate number of critical emergencies arising from HCM-related complications, as there is little to no awareness about this disease. As cat parents ourselves, we’re hoping to change that.
🔸 Why is regular screening so important?
HCM is an acquired disease. Because it can develop over a period of time, a negative screen at one exam doesn't mean a cat may not develop HCM in the future. The risks of HCM developing go up with age: approximately 15% of cats can have HCM, and in older cats, this can go up to 33% or more.
Another major cause for concern is that many patients in early- to mid-stages of the disease might not show any typical signs of illness. This is especially true for cats as they tend to be such sedentary animals, great at hiding when they don’t feel well. Unfortunately, this also means most owners miss the signs until their cat is in congestive heart failure.
This is why regular checkups are essential: only through experienced and skilled echocardiographic exams with high quality imaging can the muscular walls of the heart be properly visualised and diagnosed correctly. We recommend comprehensive annual cardiac screening for cats of all ages and breeds. At your annual exam, your vet will auscult (listen to the heartbeat with a stethoscope) to detect general signs of cardiac arrhythmia, followed by a full screening. There are also many diseases that mimic HCM and come under the HCM phenotype, and these conditions must be ruled out prior to diagnosing HCM. Screening visits are also a great way to clarify queries about your pet's health and ensure their long-term wellbeing!
🔸 HCM SCREENING CAMP 📢 15 June 2024
If you live in Pune, please consider having your cat examined at our dedicated annual HCM screening camp on the 15th of June (Saturday). Register here: www.tinyurl.com/hcmcamp
Dog parents, fret not -- we will be introducing a series of screening camps for all major cardiac diseases soon! In the meantime, please ensure you follow a regular checkup schedule as outlined by your primary vet.
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🎵 Music: 'Embrace' by Sappheiros