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🩺Medical Monday: 🩺Exercise Restrictions for Patients with HCM

A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member asked a question 💭
Roswell, GA

Dr. Kathryn Larson, with a focus on athletes and structural heart disease, as well as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, provides some exercise advice and restrictions for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.🩺

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlNAqy0pzys

December 15, 2025
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Reactions
A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member

Thanks so much, Tisha! I appreciate you so much. I just try to offer good content so we can all learn something!

December 15, 2025
A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member

@CrynWebb Interesting article, thank you for sharing.

December 16, 2025
A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member

Thank you CarynWebb, you always share, such great information. We appreciate your consistency and dedication. Thank you💖🙏🏾

December 15, 2025 (edited)
MyHeartDiseaseTeam

What are the exercise recommendations and restrictions for people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Exercise guidance for HCM has evolved significantly. Doctors no longer recommend avoiding physical activity altogether. Instead, they encourage working with your cardiologist to create an individualized exercise plan based Show Full Answer

What are the exercise recommendations and restrictions for people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Exercise guidance for HCM has evolved significantly. Doctors no longer recommend avoiding physical activity altogether. Instead, they encourage working with your cardiologist to create an individualized exercise plan based on your specific needs and risk factors.

Safe exercise approaches include:

* Mild- to moderate-intensity activities like walking and biking to build endurance
* Warming up gradually before exercise
* Starting with shorter activity periods and slowly increasing duration
* Avoiding breath-holding during weightlifting
* Choosing consistent movement over fast bursts of intense activity
* Taking time to cool down after workouts

Important precautions:

Your doctor may recommend avoiding heavy weightlifting, competitive sports, and other intense workouts. Some people with HCM can handle vigorous exercise, but only with medical approval after comprehensive risk evaluation.

Stop exercising immediately and seek medical help if you experience irregular heart rhythm, racing heart, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness during activity.

Monitoring and safety:

Work with your cardiologist to determine your target heart rate range. Consider exercising with a partner or in group settings where help is available. Choose facilities with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and trained staff.

Regular physical activity actually helps reduce heart disease risks associated with sedentary lifestyles, including high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol.

December 15, 2025

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