Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy symptoms & definition: 13-year-old YouTube sensation Caleb LeBlanc died of heart condition; 5 warnings signs to watch out for
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A 13-year-old YouTuber by the name of Caleb "Bratayley" LeBlanc died from an undetected heart condition that makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood.
An update made by the family of LeBlanc how the YouTube star passed away.
A photo posted by Annie Hayley Caleb Bratayley (@officiallybratayley) on Nov 10, 2015 at 9:05am PST
"The doctor confirmed today that Caleb passed away from a heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy that went undetected in his yearly checkups. Caleb didn't have any symptoms so the doctor said there was nothing we could have done differently. The girls' hearts were just recently checked and thankfully look the way they should right now," the post read. "The sadness of losing someone you love is unimaginable. Thank you to everyone who has reached out, your kindness and support continues to help our family. We miss our baked potato every day."
Caleb died last month and a memorial for him was livestreamed on Facebook, ABC News reports. Around 40,000 people joined the hour-long stream which was joined by the boy's family, friends, colleagues and coaches. The outlet reported that the family has a history of the heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
According to Mayo Clinic, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition where the heart muscles become thick which makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood which can lead to a sudden cardiac arrest.
People with HCM rarely exhibit signs and symptoms of the condition that is why it is often undiagnosed. However, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), some people do exhibit severe symptoms. People with HCM usually exhibit the warning signs when they are under a lot of physical stress such as during exercise and other similar activities.
The 5 warning signs to watch out for are the following:
1. Chest pain (esp. during strenuous activities/exercise)
2. Shortness of breath (esp. during strenuous activities/exercise)
3. Fainting (esp. during strenuous activities/exercise)
4. Palpitations or rapid heartbeats (esp. during strenuous activities/exercise)
5. Heart murmur
What causes HCM?
It is caused by abnormal genetic mutations that are inherited. According to AHA, it can also be due to aging and high blood pressure and caused by other conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease.
What are the complications of having HCM?
According to Mayo Clinic, patients with HCM can live life normally. However, some can experience complications including arrhythmias or thickened heart muscles that result in fast or irregular heartbeats. Shortness of breath due to obstructed blood flow. It can also cause problems in other sections of the heart including the valves and the ventricles. The worsening symptoms can lead to heart failure and increased risk of sudden cardiac death.
