What Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic condition in which the muscle of the heart is abnormally large and abnormally thick. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can make it harder for blood to leave the heart, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood.
HCM will worsen without intervention. Left untreated, it can result in heart failure.
Symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may occur at any stage in a person's life, even though the condition may have been present for some time. Each patient may experience symptoms differently, and some patients experience no symptoms at all. Some common symptoms are:
- Chest pain
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Shortness of breath
Learn more about symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
What causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is typically an inherited disorder, caused by inherited gene mutations. In some cases, it is an acquired disorder, which is a disoder that results from other conditions such as high blood pressure or aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aorta).
Learn more about causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Other conditions associated with patients who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include:
Who does hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affect?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can affect men and women of all ages. Symptoms can first appear in childhood or adulthood. It is estimated that one out of 500 people has the gene for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Diagnostic options for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
In addition to a heart exam, cardiologists have several diagnostic tools they use to recognize hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in patients:
Because hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is typically in inherited disease, all first-degree relatives of a patient diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy should also be screened. This includes:
- Parents
- Siblings
- Children
- Grandchildren
Learn more about diagnosing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Some patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy do not require treatment other than careful monitoring by their doctor. A cardiologist will work with each patient to determine an individualized plan. Some common treatments include:
Learn more about treatment options for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
