Heart transplant survivor raises HCM awareness in Ohio

By Farah Siddiqi

February is American Heart Month and a heart transplant recipient is urging Ohioans to learn more about a frequently misdiagnosed genetic heart condition.

Lisa Salberg, founder and CEO of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, which educates families about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, explained the condition causes the heart muscle to thicken, limiting blood flow and forcing the heart to work harder.

Salberg said many people mistake symptoms for other conditions.

"They might think they have athletically induced asthma," Salberg outlined. "They might have been told they just have an innocent heart murmur. They might just think they're short of breath because they're getting older, or that palpitation was a little too much caffeine."

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is believed to affect between one in 200 and one in 500 Americans and Salberg pointed out only 15% to 20% of people with the condition know they have it. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Salberg noted advances in research have improved diagnosis and treatment options in recent years. She encouraged people diagnosed with thickened heart muscle disorders to consider genetic testing.

"You should go ahead and get a genetic test to see if you can find an identified marker," Salberg urged. "If you can, that information can be used to identify other people in your family."

Salberg founded the nonprofit after her sister died unexpectedly from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She was diagnosed at age 12 and is now marking nine years since her heart transplant.