Association of duration and intensity of exercise with phenotypic expression in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

David Dorian; Fernando L Scolari; Manhal Habib; Darshan H Brahmbhatt; Cindy Chow; Beata Bruchal-Garbicz; Sara Hoss; Filio Billia; Raymond Chan; Harry Rakowski; Arnon Adler

doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131253

Association of duration and intensity of exercise with phenotypic expression in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Int J Cardiol. 2023 Dec 1:392:131253. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131253. Epub 2023 Aug 12.

Affiliations

¹ From The Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network and The Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
² From The Division of Cardiology, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network and The Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: arnon.adler@uhn.ca.

PMID: 37579850
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131253

Abstract

Objectives: There is limited data regarding the impact of exercise on phenotypic expression in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We aimed to investigate whether such an association exists in a cohort of genotype-positive HCM patients.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study of genotype-positive HCM families, we used structured questionnaires to obtain data regarding intensity and duration of exercise of participants starting at the age of 10, as well as data regarding exercise recommendations and their impact on quality of life (QOL). The association of cumulative metabolic-equivalent hours of exercise at different ages with different measures of phenotypic expression (maximal wall thickness, left atrial diameter, extent of late gadolinium enhancement) was analyzed.

Results: The study included 109 patients from 55 families, including 43 male (39%) and 90 (83%) phenotype-positive. No association was identified between exercise duration or intensity with any of the phenotypic markers with the exception of greater cumulative exercise associated with younger age at presentation. Similar results were obtained when analysis was limited to exercise until the age of 20, until the age of 30 or only after 30. Among phenotype-positive patients, 89% recalled receiving recommendations regarding exercise restriction, 29% noted reduction in exercise level following such recommendations and 25% noted this having a significant impact on their QOL.

Conclusion: We found no association between exercise intensity or duration and phenotypic expression in genotype-positive HCM patients. These findings are important for physician-patient discussions and support the recent trend towards more permissive exercise restrictions in HCM.

Keywords: Exercise; Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.