What is feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy & what does it do?
Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease seen in felines. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a term used when there is no known cause, however secondary, is brought about by other conditions such as high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism etc. Cats with secondary hypertrophic cardiomyopathy tend to be older. The main feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is excessive thickening of the left ventricular wall, papillary muscles & septum. This enlargement causes stiffening & prevents the heart from expanding (to receive blood) properly. It may also reduce the ability of the valves to work properly, and in some circumstances obstruct the flow of blood out of the heart. Arrhythmias, irregularities of the heart beat & conduction disturbances are also common complications of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The thickened wall sometimes distorts one leaflet of the mitral valve, causing it to leak. Fluid can leak into the lungs causing heart failure. Blood clots can form i
