Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited heart condition that causes the muscle fibers of the heart — mainly in the left ventricle — to thicken. It often affects the heart's ability to pump blood.
UPMC provides personalized care for HCM and is recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association.
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HCM is a genetic heart disease that causes the muscle fibers of the heart — mainly in the left ventricle — to thicken. It often affects the heart's ability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common type of inherited heart disease in the U.S., affecting about 1 in 500 adults.
The septum — a wall of tissue inside the heart — divides the heart's left and right lower chambers.
In HCM, the heart muscle in the septum or elsewhere in the heart's left side thickens. This thickening may affect how blood flows.
There are two types of HCM:
People with HCM often inherit the condition, meaning their parents passed the gene mutation to them. This mutation affects how the genes make the proteins that tell the heart muscle how to grow and how to contract to pump blood.
You might be at risk for HCM if someone in your family has the condition. But some people are the first in their family to have it.
Many people with genetic HCM don't have symptoms or are able to manage any symptoms they have. But HCM can cause complications, such as:
If you have HCM, it's crucial to routinely see your provider to track your condition.
If left untreated, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can cause complications, including sudden cardiac death. It’s essential to see your provider if you have a family member who has been diagnosed with HCM. If you are diagnosed with HCM, it’s important to follow all treatment recommendations.
People with inherited HCM don't always have symptoms.
But some people have:
Sometimes, people with HCM can die suddenly. HCM is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people.
HCM can be diagnosed at any time, but the average age for diagnosis is around 39. Most people who develop HCM have a normal heart at birth and develop symptoms later in life.
If someone in your family has HCM, tell your provider. You might need to have a screening test to see if you have it, too.
If you have symptoms of HCM, schedule an appointment with your provider as soon as possible. If your symptoms are sudden and severe, dial 911 or visit the nearest hospital emergency room.
If your family has a history of HCM or you feel symptoms, your provider will screen you for the condition.
During your physical exam, your provider will:
Your provider may order further tests if they suspect you may have HCM or if you are having symptoms.
Providers use different tests to diagnose HCM, including:
Sometimes, providers order genetic testing for people with a family history of HCM. Using a blood sample, providers look for gene changes that cause the condition.
Early diagnosis and proper treatment of HCM can reduce your risk of developing life-threatening complications. Your provider will discuss your condition and prognosis with you.
Most patients with HCM have an average life expectancy. However, developing HCM at an earlier age is associated with more severe symptoms and an increased risk of complications.
People with HCM should follow their provider’s recommendations for diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits, including:
Your care team at UPMC will design an HCM treatment plan that's right for you.
Goals of HCM care are to:
Providers treat inherited HCM in several ways:
When you have HCM, you should:
Providers use drugs that help control blood flow and regulate heartbeats to manage HCM symptoms. These include:
Providers sometimes suggest surgery when HCM causes decreased blood flow. These procedures include:
Sometimes people who have HCM surgery need an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). This is a small device placed in the chest to help regulate or stop dangerous heartbeats. UPMC is one of the only centers in the region that offers these surgeries to people with HCM.
Your provider will work closely with you to develop an effective treatment plan that controls your symptoms and your risk of complications.
UPMC is one of the only centers in the region that offers a full range of surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for people with HCM. When you choose UPMC for your HCM care, you will benefit from:
Medically Reviewed by Elissa Castor, PA-C on 2024-10-02.
