In this quantitative analysis, HCM affected patients' lifestyles and physical activity: Japanese adults with HCM who reported lifestyle changes had worse symptom, quality-of-life and depression scores than those without lifestyle changes.
The study analyzed 120 Japanese adults with symptomatic HCM (NYHA class 2/3), evenly split between non-obstructive and obstructive HCM.
Patients with lifestyle changes had a lower median KCCQ Clinical Summary Score than those without lifestyle changes.
Patients with lifestyle changes had higher depression scores on the HADS than those without lifestyle changes.
Patients with lifestyle changes had higher HCMSQ shortness-of-breath scores than those without lifestyle changes.
Median IPAQ physical activity score was numerically lower in patients with lifestyle changes, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Many patients could no longer exercise or exercised less, and physical activity was lower in patients with more severe heart failure symptoms.
Most patients noticed HCM symptoms, and some attributed their symptoms to causes other than HCM.
Most patients disclosed their HCM to others, and primary care physicians were almost universally the main information source.
The authors conclude that HCM affects patients' lifestyles and physical activity and suggest clinicians ask more about physical activity, lifestyle changes and symptoms.
This study surveyed 120 Japanese adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart condition in which the heart muscle thickens, who had noticeable symptoms. Half had the obstructive form and half the non-obstructive form. Participants completed questionnaires on physical activity, heart-related quality of life, symptoms, anxiety and depression, as well as a questionnaire about information and support. Patients who had made lifestyle changes because of HCM scored worse on heart-related quality of life, reported more shortness of breath, and had higher depression scores than those who had not changed their lifestyles. Their physical activity scores were also lower, though that difference was not statistically significant. Most patients noticed HCM symptoms, but some thought those symptoms came from something else. Most had told others about their diagnosis, and nearly all said their primary care physician was their main source of information. Patients also wanted more information about HCM and its symptoms. This research suggests that HCM can affect everyday life, activity levels and mental well-being, and that asking patients about their activity, lifestyle changes and symptoms may help doctors understand their needs. The study was cross-sectional, so it shows associations rather than cause and effect.
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Upload Your LabsKitaoka H, Kubo T, Torigoe M, Ikeda Y, Shimoura K, Suo S, et al.. (2026). Physical activity and quality of life in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Japan: a quantitative study.. Future cardiology. https://doi.org/10.1080/14796678.2026.2745404