As young women navigating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, we’ve been able to bring fresh perspectives on what living with this condition means.
To our own experiences, we add those of the 11,000+ people who make up our HeartCharged community, the hub of which is @heartcharged on Instagram.
This section contains some of the informational messaging we’ve been asked to create on the topic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM.
It also includes select collaborations, podcasts, and articles we’ve done addressing HCM.
Much more on HCM can be found on our Instagram account, as well as in our ‘Featured In’, ‘Collaborations’, and ‘Films’ sections, as HCM affects us every day and we speak to it and its effects continually.
By Hannah Keime for the American Heart HCM Patient Support Network
“I share my story often and freely because when I looked up my heart condition online after being diagnosed as a teenager, all I found were headlines with dead kids. Ten years later, I can say that you can look up my condition and find a community of those alive and those honoring the legacy of those who passed, and you can find all that on my Instagram account.”
Warning Signs That Should Make People Think Cardiomyopathy
Hannah speaks about the warning signs of HCM, including fainting, in this reel prepared for American Heart in conjunction with WomenHeart. She implores people to Think Cardiomyopathy.
Basketball player Hannah Keime could have died on the court. Instead, a chance conversation about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy saved her life.
Dancing With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: The Inspiring Story Of Bethany Keime
By Abigail Seaberg. For SurvivorNet Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy HCM Resource Page.
How To Talk To Your Doctor About … Medications
Part of the series, How to Talk to Your Doctor About …Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Bethany discusses how medication of HCM is not one-size-fits-all. She helps explain how to raise concerns with your doctor so that you feel comfortable talking about your meds.
How To Talk To Your Doctor About … Switching Medications
Part of the series, How to Talk to Your Doctor About …Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Hannah discusses how she has had to switch medications throughout her 11-year diagnosed with HCM. She helps explain how to raise concerns with your doctor about medications and when changes are appropriate.
How To Talk To Your Doctor About … Physical Activity
Part of the series, How to Talk to Your Doctor About …Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Bethany & Hannah discuss the big question with HCM, what level of activity is OK for your level of HCM?
How To Talk To Your Doctor About … Urgent Concerns
Part of the series, How to Talk to Your Doctor About …Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Hannah discusses how she felt like she was walking on eggshells with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy until she received an implantable defibrillator (ICD) - but there are still instances that cause her to touch base with her doctors ASAP. She shares ways to build a plan ahead of time on how to do that when symptoms seem scary.
How To Talk To Your Doctor About … Getting Clarity on Your Treatment Plan
Part of the series, How to Talk to Your Doctor About …Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Bethany and Hannah discuss tips to set up good communication with your doctor to manage your HCM. If you’ve ever walked away from an appointment unsure of whether you got down all your treatment information right, you’re not alone. But it doesn’t have to be that way if you employ these strategies to insure you understand—and remember—your doctor’s advice.
How To Talk To Your Doctor About … HCM Progression
Part of the series, How to Talk to Your Doctor About …Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Bethany shares tips to discuss your treatment outlook, including whether an implantable defibrillator or other surgery is in your future. She shares her experience with getting an implantable defibrillator as her hypertrophic cardiomyopathy progressed and gives insights into how to have the conversation with your doctor about what to expect.
How To Talk To Your Doctor About … Self-Care
Part of the series, How to Talk to Your Doctor About …Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Hannah & Bethany share tips to get your doctor’s advice on lifestyle modifications that can help you manage your hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. They share how they found the self-care routines that suit their varying degrees of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—and give insight on how you can work with your doctor to determine best daily practices for living with your condition.
How To Talk To Your Doctor About … Symptoms
Part of the series, How to Talk to Your Doctor About …Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Hannah discusses how to help your doctor understand your symptoms so the two of you can work together to address them faster. Hannah has experienced a range of symptoms. She gives tips for some details to bring up to your doctor for a more effective check-in about your treatment.
How To Talk To Your Doctor About … Imaging and Testing
Part of the series, How to Talk to Your Doctor About …Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Keeping tabs on your heart condition is key for peace of mind. Bethany discusses going in for evaluations to check on whether her condition has progressed. She shares what to expect with imaging and testing and gives tips for how to approach your doctor about what monitoring is right for you.
How To Talk To Your Doctor About … Genetics
Part of the series, How to Talk to Your Doctor About …Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
It’s understandable to be concerned about what this inherited heart condition means for your family members. Try these tips to talk next steps about getting them tested. When their aunt was first diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Hannah and Bethany got tested for the genetic condition along with their siblings. They give an inside look at how you can work with your doctor to have family members screened.
These are select collaborations HeartCharged is involved in addressing HCM. Find more in our ‘Collaborations’ section.
ENACT Initiative by WomenHeart and The Mended Hearts Inc., sponsored by Cytokinetics
A Journey with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Hannah Keime.
Collaboration with Dr Hen Says, Instagram Account
On-going, multi-post collaboration covering an unexpected HCM diagnosis, the warning signs, affects on interpersonal relationships, and limitations imposed by HCM.
Global Heart Hub’s Cardiomyopathy Council’s Think Cardiomyopathy Campaign
Inherited Cardiomyopathy Patient Story. Hannah Keime.
Global Heart Hub’s Cardiomyopathy Council’s Think Cardiomyopathy Campaign
Cookies, Cardiomyopathies & Conversations. Original Reel by Hannah Keime.
HCM Patient Ambassador. Hannah Keime. Static Instagram post.
These are select podcasts we have done during which we have addressed HCM. However, we constantly address HCM and what living with it means so we invite you to find more in our ‘Featured In’ section under ‘Podcasts’.
The Podcast. Voices 42 & 43 Bethany & Hannah.
Exclusive Interview with Bethany & Hannah Keime, ‘HeartCharged’.
Hidden Disabilities The Sunflower Conversations
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) with Bethany and Hannah Keime.
Bethany & Hannah Keime - Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Survivors.
These are select articles written about us where HCM and its affects are heavily addressed. However, many more articles can be found in our ‘Featured In’ section under ‘Articles’.
“Two sisters, one ‘heart-charged’ cardiac diagnosis”. By Carolyn Thomas. At HeartSisters. Part of the “Dear Carolyn” series of personal patient perspectives.
Issue 2 Cover Story. This Type of Bionic is Its Own Kind of Beautiful.