Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or commonly referred to as HCM, is a condition in which the muscles of the heart become thick.

As these muscles become thicker, it is harder for blood to leave the heart and forces the heart to work even harder to pump blood. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is often asymmetrical, meaning that only one part of the heart is thicker than the others. It is believed to be a condition that is inherited and passed down through families, as a result of defects and/ or problems with the genes that control heart muscle growth. Younger people are more likely to have severe forms of HCM, but it can also be seen in people of all ages. Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy may not have any symptoms and may not realize they have this condition until it has been found during a medical checkup. The first symptom of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in many young people is a sudden collapse and possible death caused by arrhythmias, very abnormal heart rhythms. Symptoms of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy include chest pain and dizziness, fainting during exercise, heart failure in most patients, high blood pressure, light-headedness after any activity, feeling the heart beat (palpitatitions) and shortness of breath. Symptoms also include fatigue and reduced tolerance in activities and shortness of breath when lying down. This is the major cause of death for many young athletes with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy who go through rigorous exercise. One famous person with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is Jesse Marunde. Jesse Marunde was born on September 14, 1979 and was an American strongman athlete who placed second in the 2005 Worlds Strongest Man competition. Originally from Alaska, he moved to Sequim, Washington. In his high school years, he played many sports, including Olympic lifting. Because of his athleticism, he received a scholarship to Montana State University, where he played football. At age 18, he had lifted the No.3 Captains of Crush Gripper, which 280 pounds. He had

become the youngest person to achieve the Captains of Crush title. At age 22, Marunde became the youngest man ever to qualify for the Worlds Strongest Man competition. His second-place finish in 2005 made him the first American to place top two since 1990. On July 25, 2007 Jesse Marunde died after a workout in Sequim, Washington. He had trouble breathing and his trainer administered CPR. When the ambulance came, he was given the defibrillator for an hour and shots of adrenaline, but they could not revive him. The cause of his death was Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.