IMR Press / RCM / Volume 24 / Issue 6 / DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2406166
Open Access Review
Exercise in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Recent Conceptual Changes and Recommendations for Pre-Exercise Tests
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1 Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 06273 Seoul, Republic of Korea
*Correspondence: sejoong@yuhs.ac (Se-Joong Rim)
Rev. Cardiovasc. Med. 2023, 24(6), 166; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.rcm2406166
Submitted: 31 March 2023 | Revised: 4 May 2023 | Accepted: 11 May 2023 | Published: 6 June 2023
Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Traditionally, individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have been advised not to participate in more than low-intensity exercises. HCM was originally described in the context of sudden death, and early literature from the registry showed that HCM was the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Therefore, there has long been a concern that exercise could trigger ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Although a few patients with HCM may progress along deteriorating disease pathways, many have no clinically significant symptoms or adverse events, no need for major treatment, and a normal life expectancy. Therefore, the routine restriction of any exercise intensity in this large group deprives them of the multiple benefits of exercise and may have detrimental effects on long-term clinical outcomes. However, it has been reported that light to moderate exercise is acceptable for many patients with HCM, and recent evidence suggests that vigorous exercise does not increase the risk of sudden death in this population. Thus, we reviewed previous literature regarding the effects of exercise in patients with HCM and provided cutting-edge information on the safety and concerns of exercise. In addition, based on our experience and previous research, we reviewed the conditions that should be met before starting exercise and the tests required to confirm them.

Keywords
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
exercise
sudden cardiac arrest
exercise stress echocardiography
Figures
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