If you’re living with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), healthy lifestyle changes can help protect your heart. This genetic heart disease, which affects 1 in 500 U.S. adults, causes the walls of the heart’s main pumping chamber — the left ventricle — to grow thicker and become stiff. HCM makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood.

Common symptoms of HCM include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some people also develop arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), including a type called atrial fibrillation, when the heart’s upper chambers beat out of sync. Other symptoms may include dizziness and fainting. Without proper care, HCM can raise the risk of heart failure, cardiac arrest, heart attack, and stroke.

Most people with HCM have a normal life expectancy, especially with the right treatment plan and support. That includes working closely with a healthcare professional and making lifestyle changes that support a healthy heart. Here are seven tips to help you manage HCM and feel your best.

1. Exercise Carefully

People living with HCM may worry that exercise isn’t safe and avoid being active. However, lack of exercise can actually increase your risk of heart problems. The key is to find the right activity level to help you stay fit.

Mild- to moderate-intensity activities like walking and biking are good ways to slowly build up your endurance. Some people with HCM can handle more vigorous workouts, but it’s important to get the OK from your healthcare provider before starting or changing your routine. Your doctor may recommend that you avoid heavy weightlifting, competitive sports, and other intense workouts.

Speak with your doctor about what forms of exercise are safest and most beneficial for you. If you feel worsening HCM symptoms — such as an irregular heart rhythm, a racing heart, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness — during physical activity, stop immediately and get medical help. Also, ask your doctor if any part of your job might strain your heart or trigger symptoms, especially if your work involves physical exertion.

Speak with your doctor about what exercises are safest and best for you. If your HCM symptoms get worse during physical activity, stop immediately and get medical help.

2. Modify Your Diet

Generally, people living with HCM are advised to eat a heart-healthy diet filled with whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Your food choices should also aim to lower your risks of hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, and diabetes, so make sure to limit your intake of sodium, saturated fat, and sugar. Overall, try to focus on natural, unprocessed ingredients and portion control. Talk with your doctor to find out what diet is best for you.

You may need to limit alcohol use if you’re living with HCM. For some people with heart conditions, drinking alcohol can trigger irregular heart rhythms and further reduce blood flow. Ask your medical provider if it’s safe for you to drink alcohol in moderation.

If you’re concerned that drinking too many fluids can put extra strain on your heart, talk with your healthcare provider — but don’t try to limit fluids on your own. Your doctor can help you understand how much fluid is right for your body and your condition.

3. Quit Smoking and Recreational Drug Use

Tobacco, as well as cocaine and other recreational drugs, are known to cause stenosis (narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart). Having both stenosis and HCM can greatly increase your risk of serious heart problems.

If you smoke, ask your doctor about safe and effective ways to quit. Your local hospital may offer programs, and your doctor may be able to prescribe medications or recommend other tools to support you.

4. Maintain Dental Hygiene

Brushing your teeth properly might not be the first heart health tip that comes to mind, but oral and cardiac health are strongly linked. Infections in your mouth, like gum disease or untreated cavities, can lead to endocarditis. This condition happens when bacteria from an infection anywhere in your body, including the teeth and gums, travel through your bloodstream to your heart and cause dangerous inflammation. Endocarditis can be life-threatening for people with enlarged heart muscles caused by HCM.

Brushing your teeth properly might not be the first heart health tip that comes to mind, but oral and cardiac health are strongly linked.

To lower your risk, brush and floss your teeth every day, rinse with antiseptic mouthwash, and see your dentist twice a year to identify cavities early. Talk with your cardiologist (heart doctor) and dentist about additional precautions you should take.

5. Manage Stress and Treat Mental Health Concerns

Your physical health is tied to your mental health, especially if you’re living with HCM. Reducing ongoing stress is important for supporting both your heart and overall health. This may involve taking medication, getting outdoors, journaling, spending time with friends, or talking with a therapist.

Anxiety and depression have been shown to worsen HCM and other forms of heart disease, so don’t hesitate to seek support for mental health. Treatment for depression or anxiety may not only reduce your cardiac risk but also improve your quality of life.

Anxiety and depression have been shown to worsen HCM and other forms of heart disease, so don’t hesitate to seek support for mental health.

6. Monitor Blood Pressure

High blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart and circulatory system, which is especially dangerous for people with HCM. Your doctor will check your blood pressure at each appointment, but you can also ask about using an at-home monitor to track your numbers between visits — especially if you have a personal or family history of hypertension.

Rarely, some blood pressure medications can worsen symptoms in certain people living with HCM. Always take your medications exactly as prescribed, and let your doctor know if you notice new or worsening HCM symptoms.

7. Prioritize Regular Care

HCM is a chronic (lifelong) condition, but with regular care, it can be managed effectively. It’s important to develop a strong relationship with your medical team by attending regular follow-up appointments, not just telling your doctor when there’s a problem.

Your cardiologist may order tests like echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and cardiac stress tests to understand how your condition changes as time goes on. At these visits, you can discuss lifestyle changes and talk about continuing or starting new treatment. You should also see your primary care provider regularly to monitor for other health conditions that may worsen your condition.

Being diagnosed with HCM may feel overwhelming at first, but with the right care plan and daily habits focused on both mental and physical wellness, you can live well with this condition.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyHeartDiseaseTeam, the social network for people with heart disease and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with different kinds of heart disease.

Are you living with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? How do you manage your health with lifestyle changes? Share your tips and experiences in a comment below or on your Activities page.