10: Ricky Kapoor | Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy | Taking control

We are delighted to welcome Ricky Kapoor onto the podcast for our very first interview. Ricky has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic condition that affects the heart muscle and makes the walls of the heart chambers thicken. 



For most people HCM doesn’t have a big impact on life. Some don’t have symptoms. Ricky is one of a small number for whom it is more serious. He is at risk of developing life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms and therefore has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). 



The diagnosis was not easy for Ricky. At the age of 6 years, he lost his father to HCM. Growing up, he was a keen sportsman and when he was diagnosed, he had to give up the activities he loved. On this podcast we discuss how he navigated that process and not only learnt to live with HCM, but to thrive. 



If you have been affected by this topic, help is at hand. Please click on the links below for organisations that provide information and support. 

https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/ 

https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/ 

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiomyopathy/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiomyopathy/



For more information about the Fresh Heart Project visit our website www.freshheartproject.com. If you have any suggestions or if you would like to share your own personal story please do get in touch @freshheartproject on Instagram, @freshheartproj on Twitter or via the website. 



Remember, be kind to yourself and small, sustainable steps lead to great change.