Max Whittington was born with a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM. The disease causes an enlargement of the heart muscle affecting the heart’s normal function. It can produce irregular heartbeats and lead to cardiac arrest. People with the condition often show no symptoms until they experience a sudden attack. HCM is a significant cause of sudden death in young athletes who appear otherwise healthy. The Whittington family openly share their gratitude for Dr. William Hammill and his team at Novant Health Pediatric Cardiology . Because of early detection and prevention, Max is expected to lead a full and normal life.