Guidance on exercising with HCM has evolved. When I was diagnosed, I was a ballerina dancing seven days a week, and my doctors told me I had to completely give it up. But we now know exercise is good for the heart, especially for the HCM heart. Ask your doctor what type of activity is OK for you.

Travel itself is generally safe, but it can require a little bit of planning, especially in airports where I have to go through extra screening for my ICD. One of the medications I take, a diuretic, means having to organize my day around when I know the medication will be active so I'm near a restroom.

Sometimes alcohol can trigger irregular heart rhythms and block blood flow. I don't recommend being a regular drinker, but I also don't think HCM means you have to turn down a glass of champagne at a celebration. Talk to your doctor about what’s safest for you and your condition.

I have a blood pressure monitor and a pulse oximeter that I use, and smartwatches have a function for checking your heart rate. Blood pressure monitors can be helpful when you’re starting a new beta-blocker or something that's going to drop your heart rate.

I was always active, but I had to give up professional dance, which was incredibly difficult. Even something as simple as a slight incline in the sidewalk can bring on symptoms for me. So I've learned to pace myself carefully.

I’ve learned to be cautious in overly hot or cold weather since those extremes can bring on my symptoms.

Your doctor is looking for foods low in salt and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. But they also may want to know about your electrolyte balance. With my diuretics, I have to watch electrolytes very carefully — this includes getting regular blood tests — and make sure I'm drinking enough water.

When I have a big event coming up, I make sure I give myself a day afterward to rest because I know the stress of an overly busy day can exacerbate my symptoms.