Archive · 6 Oct 2026
A Healthy Lifestyle Did Not Prevent Her Inherited Heart Condition
Tanvee exercised and ate well, but she still developed a heart condition.
The condition is called obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or oHCM.
It is usually caused by inherited changes that make part of the heart muscle too thick.
That can make it harder for blood to leave the heart.
Tanvee noticed symptoms during everyday activity and later fainted.
Doctors diagnosed her after examining her heart.
The article says many people with oHCM can remain active with medical care and regular checkups.
Exercise advice depends on each person, and close relatives may need screening.
Tanvee, 36, developed breathlessness, chest discomfort, dizziness and a racing heartbeat during mild activity.
After fainting while walking uphill, she was diagnosed with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM).
oHCM is an inherited condition in which thickened heart muscle can obstruct blood leaving the heart.
The article says symptoms can be subtle or absent, and may be mistaken for stress or poor fitness.
Treatment and exercise guidance are individualised; follow-up and screening of close relatives may be recommended.
- Who
- Tanvee, a 36-year-old woman, was diagnosed with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- What
- The article describes her diagnosis and explains oHCM, its symptoms, and approaches to care.
- When
- She experienced symptoms over the past year before seeking medical attention after fainting.
- Where
- The article identifies the author as a cardiac electrophysiologist at AIG Hospitals in Hyderabad; it does not specify where Tanvee was diagnosed.
- Why
- oHCM is caused by inherited genetic mutations affecting heart muscle proteins, which can cause the heart muscle to thicken and obstruct blood flow.
- Patient
- Tanvee, age 36
- Diagnosis
- Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM)
- Symptoms reported
- Breathlessness, occasional chest discomfort, dizziness, racing heartbeat and fainting
- Cause described
- Inherited genetic mutations affecting heart muscle proteins
- Exercise guidance
- Mild-to-moderate exercise is generally encouraged, but recommendations should be individualised
- Care
- Treatment focuses on symptoms, blood flow, obstruction and reducing complications; ongoing follow-up is important
- Family screening
- Screening of close relatives may be recommended