Patient experiences

Alphonse, 69 years old

Alphonse has always faced life with optimism, yet for as long as he could remember, something didn't quite feel right. At the age of 25, doctors detected a heart murmur, but Alphonse continued living his life with few changes.
However, even simple tasks gradually became difficult over the years, and Alphonse grew increasingly worried about the future. When he finally received his diagnosis of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM)—more than forty years after his first symptoms—he felt relief. With the proper treatment, his quality of life improved significantly, allowing him to look ahead with renewed hope.
Alphonse’s story is not an isolated case. HCM remains underdiagnosed and often misunderstood.

Discover Alphonse’s story

Johan, 66 years old

For Johan, 66, shortness of breath and increased sweating were only minor inconveniences, which he quickly dismissed or attributed to external factors. It was only by chance that he discovered during a routine check-up that he had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). His journey illustrates how easily this often inherited heart disease can go unnoticed and emphasises the importance of early diagnosis.

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Willem, 38 years old

Willem, 38, had a very active childhood and a passion for football until a routine check-up changed everything. A doctor discovered a heart murmur and further tests confirmed a diagnosis of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM). Willem was forced to give up sports entirely, which was a challenging adjustment at first. Yet, with medical support, he learned to adapt and embrace a different but still active lifestyle. Willem’s story reminds us of the importance of early detection and access to appropriate care.

Listen to Willem’s story.

Mother & daughter

A few years ago, this 21-year-old patient began experiencing heart palpitations, black spots in her vision, and a loss of strength often at the end of a workday or when climbing stairs. She quickly realized something was wrong and consulted a doctor, who detected a heart murmur. Further tests later confirmed the diagnosis of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
The diagnosis also shed light on her family history: years earlier, her grandfather had died from a heart condition that was never clearly identified. Only with her diagnosis did the family understand what had been affecting them across generations.

Discover her journey and learn why awareness and family genetic screening can make all the difference.

Stephanie, patient

Discover her journey and learn why awareness and family genetic screening can make all the difference.
Discover the inspiring story of Stephanie, who was affected by HCM and managed to regain her joy of life.  
Her touching testimony offers an authentic look at her journey with the disease and her resilience. How to cope with the diagnosis? How to live with the disease? And also, how to forget it?