Diagnosis
Your doctor may suspect HCM after listening to your heart and hearing a specific type of murmur. He may also see changes in you EKG which are indicative of HCM. Ultimately, HCM can be diagnosed with a simple non-invasive test called an echocardiogram. During this test, a technician will move a sonogram probe across your left chest and take moving video pictures of your heart. Sometimes further testing is required to rule out other causes of your symptoms. Your doctor may order a transesophageal echo in which a small probe will be passed down your esophagus in order to view your heart from a better angle. After you have been diagnosed, your doctor may do additional tests to evaluate your condition. These tests may include an MRI, exercise stress test, Oxygen consumption test, and a Holter monitor.
