Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition or disease where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick. The heart muscle that is made thickened due to the HCM can make it harder for the heart to pump blood . Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can also affect the heart's electrical system.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can go undiagnosed, because many of those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy don't have any signs, until it's too late.  Many symptoms can be shortness of breath, and problems in the "electical system" of your heart - causing abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) that can take your life.

Illustrations of a normal heart (left) and a heart with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Note that the heart walls (muscle) are much thicker (hypertrophied) in the HCM heart.    Source - Mayo Clinic

Most times - these heart conditions can be detected by a simple heart screening. You won't get this heart screening during a physical for school or average check up, not will insurance cover this type of heart screening. Attend the Living for Zachary Educational  Forum on Friday, February 20, 2015 from 6-9PM at the The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano in Plano, TX.

2015 HeartBeats Gala is Approaching

The Living for Zachary HeartBeats Gala is a two-day annual event in Dallas, TX held during February, American Heart Month. Proceeds from the HeartBeats Gala benefits Living for Zachary (L4Z) whose mission is to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in youth. In three short years, the HeartBeats Gala has attracted more than 2,500 attendees, 50 corporate/private sponsors and has raised more than $1 million.

The first event is the Education Forum which is a free event offered to the general public to learn more about their heart health. Each year the Education Forum offers free Living for Zachary Heart Screenings for youth ages 12-22 – includes an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram and blood pressure check, free health tests to determine your personal health numbers, free medical advice from a board of nationally-recognized physicians, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) awareness demonstrations, booths hosted by world-renowned medical manufacturers and wellness companies and heart healthy cooking presentation and tasting with free food and drinks. In 2013, Living for Zachary received a proclamation from the Dallas Mayor, Michael Rawlings, stating that Friday, February 15, 2013 is ‘Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Day’.

The second event is the HeartBeats Gala which is a black tie affair offering cocktails, fine dining, live and silent auction, and live music.  In 2013, a wine pull was added to the night’s events to provide attendees the opportunity to purchase fine wines donated from the cellars of top wine connoisseurs. Every year, the HeartBeats Gala hosts approximately 1,000 business and community leaders, physicians and members of the medical community and strong L4Z supporters.

 Do you know the difference between SCA and a heart attack? It is imperative that all people these days know that there truly is a difference. 



SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) is much different than a heart attack in that their root problems that lead to the malfunction are different. Heart attacks occur when there is a blockage in either one or many arteries to the heart, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching the heart.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is an electrical malfunction leading to an irregularly fast heartbeat. Often times, the blood flow to the brain is reduced leading to a loss of consciousness almost immediately. In short, sudden cardiac arrest can happen during a heart attack but it is not a heart attack.

While there are some symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, often times it strikes with little or no alert. In fact - with Zachary Schrah, there were no symptoms, there were no warning signs.

If you or someone you know begins to feel dizzy or their heart begins racing and it alerts them—take them immediately to a emergency facility or call 911.

If you or someone you know has had a previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, practices coronary-risking behavior such as smoking, unhealthy eating habits or recreational drug abuse, advise them of the dangers and help grow awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). It is vital to share this information with your doctor so that you can both assess ways to lower your risk of this potentially-fatal condition.

More information can be found here - http://www.sca-aware.org/blog/scafoundation/sca-and-heart-attack-understanding-the-difference.