HCMA plans annual patient meeting, 5K and 30th anniversary events in New Jersey

The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association will host its annual patient meeting Oct. 10, 2026, in Morristown, New Jersey, bringing together HCM experts, patients and families for education, support and community. The weekend also includes a mental health continuing education program, a 30th anniversary celebration and a Bighearted 5K as HCM care continues to evolve.

Why it matters: - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects about 1 in 250 people worldwide and is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young people. - The HCMA meeting is designed to help patients and families better understand new diagnostics, therapies and care options. - The event also gives attendees a place to connect with a community that can support them beyond the weekend.

What happened: - The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association will hold its annual patient meeting on Oct. 10, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Morristown, New Jersey. - The meeting will bring leading clinical voices in the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ecosystem together with patients, families and supporters. - The HCMA is also marking 30 years of the organization with related weekend events.

The details: - The HCMA says the meeting will help attendees learn about the latest HCM research, emerging treatments and medical advancements. - The program is meant to help patients share experiences, build support networks and gain advocacy tools for heart-health decisions. - A Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, continuing education program will launch the HCMA’s Hearts & Minds Initiative for mental health professionals. - That Friday session will focus on cardiac psychology and care for conditions like HCM. - Samuel F. Sears, a professor of cardiac psychology at East Carolina University, and Lisa Salberg, HCMA founder and CEO, will facilitate the program. - The Saturday patient meeting will cover pediatric HCM, family screening, the future of cardiac surgery, evolving therapies, mental health for HCM and the generic drug crisis. - Speakers include Dr. Martin Maron of Beth Israel Lahey Health, Dr. Milind Desai of Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Rachel Lambert of Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Daniele Massera of NYU Langone Health, Dr. Jeffrey Bennett of Cleveland Clinic Children’s and Adaya Wesissler-Snir of Morristown Medical Center. - Saturday evening will feature a celebration of the HCMA’s 30th anniversary. - A Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, Bighearted 5K will offer in-person and virtual options, timed or untimed. - The 5K will include a bounce house for children, food trucks and an HCM memory walk at the HCMA headquarters at 66 Ford Road in Denville, New Jersey. - Registration links are provided for the meeting and the run. - Media inquiries go to Claudine D’Angelo-Dotzman, communications manager at HCMA, at claudine@4hcm.org or 973-983-7429 ext. 415.

Between the lines: - The HCMA is pairing education with community-building, which suggests the organization sees patient support as more than a one-day clinical event. - The addition of a mental health training track reflects broader recognition that cardiac disease affects both physical and psychological well-being. - The 30-year milestone gives HCMA a chance to reinforce its role as a patient advocate, not just an event host.

What's next: - Patients, families and supporters can register for the Oct. 10 patient meeting and the Bighearted 5K. - The weekend will give attendees access to experts, education and peer support as HCM treatment continues to advance. - The HCMA will continue its anniversary programming through the event weekend and into its broader advocacy work.

The bottom line: - The HCMA is using its 30th anniversary weekend to combine medical education, mental health support and community connection for people affected by HCM.