2019 AWARDED GRANT

Jennifer L. Conway, MD, FRCPC

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Profile in Children with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Stollery Children's Hospital, Alberta, Canada
Jennifer L. Conway, MD, FRCPC – $45,356

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited cardiomyopathy with the hallmark feature of left ventricular hypertrophy primarily involving the ventricular septum. It is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Little is known about the cardiovascular disease risk profile and healthy lifestyle behaviors of pediatric patients with HCM. Given the significant emphasis placed on what physical activities patients with HCM should avoid, physicians may not be effectively communicating the importance of maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle. This may explain the high levels of inactivity and obesity seen among adult patients with HCM. It is unknown if this phenomenon begins in childhood and if there are other cardiovascular risk factors present in the pediatric population. This study will describe the cardiovascular disease risk behaviors and cardiovascular disease risk profile of children with HCM, determine if children with HCM are at a greater risk for acquired cardiovascular disease compared to the general population, identify barriers to a heart-healthy lifestyle, and, identify both the children's and families' perception of a heart-healthy lifestyle. This information will be used as a foundation for the development of a targeted comprehensive intervention to promote a heart healthy lifestyle in this pediatric population.