In the development of the script, the Producers have worked closely with medical professionals, such as Dr. Robert Bonow, Head of Cardiology at Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Raja Shekar, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Cleveland Clinic. Both have indicated that the story has the strong potential to raise public awareness of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).
(Information provided by the HCMA)
- HCM is a genetic condition that causes the heart walls to thicken without apparent cause. In patients with HCM, premature death can occur with little or no warning at any age. HCM is the most common cause of sudden, unexpected death in healthy young athletes in the U.S.
- Symptoms include: fainting, light headed-ness, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, panic-attacks, and nausea. These symptoms can be misinterpreted and overlooked by physicians who are unfamiliar with HCM. Diagnosis is often not made until a young person afflicted with the condition has an attack or cardiac arrest.
- There is no current, fundamental cure for HCM. However, if it is diagnosed in time, there are many forms of therapy available that may improve the function of the heart and relieve symptoms. Because the disease commonly is inherited, if one person in the immediate family is diagnosed, everyone in the immediate family should be screened.
Through this film, we hope to raise public discussion of this condition, encourage screenings, and, without exaggeration, save lives.
“Increased awareness of the impact of HCM is needed to assist in the detection of individuals with this condition and, more importantly, to provide increased urgency in support of research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of this condition.”
– Dr. Robert Bonow, Head of Cardiology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
“With better funding of research we could identify those at risk and ensure they get proper treatment, and more excitingly with a few more years and better patient identification we may actually be able to eradicate the disease thanks to advances in genetics! We wish you best of luck on your film and do hope that we are able to raise awareness and much needed funding in our fight against HCM.”
– Lisa Salberg, Chief Executive Officer HCMA
Visit the HCMA website to learn more about Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and how you can help.