About Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

HCM is a condition that affects the structure of the heart and how it works.Cardiomyopathy UK, (2022). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Factsheet. Available at: https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/... . Last accessed May 2024. Learn who may be at risk and what causes the symptoms of HCM.

Tired? - Short of breath? - Rapid Heartbeat? - Chest pain? - Dizzy

Who is at risk of HCM?

HCM can affect people of any age, gender, or ethnicity.

HCM is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 500 people in the UK.Cardiomyopathy UK, (2022). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Factsheet. Available at: https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/... . Last accessed May 2024.
As the most common inherited heart condition, HCM can be passed through families. If a close family member has HCM, there's an increased chance of you being affected too.Cardiomyopathy UK, (2022). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Factsheet. Available at: https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/... . Last accessed May 2024. British Heart Foundation, (2021). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiomyopathy/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy . Last Accessed April 2024.
Many individuals with HCM do not show noticeable symptoms, making it common for cases to go undiagnosed.Heart.org, (2022). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiomyopathy/... . Last accessed May 2024.

What causes the symptoms of HCM?

The heart is a muscle that pumps oxygen around the body by contracting and relaxing. In HCM, the heart muscle becomes thickened and stiff. Depending on where and how much the heart muscle thickens, it can reduce the amount of oxygen-rich blood that is pumped out to the rest of the body, resulting in symptoms of HCM.Cardiomyopathy UK, (2022). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Factsheet. Available at: https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/... . Last accessed May 2024.

Click the tabs below to see what happens to the heart:

The heart is a muscle that pumps blood around the body by contracting and relaxing.

The heart with HCM may have difficulty pumping blood around the body. As a result, those with HCM can experience a lack of energy, a fast heartbeat, chest pain, or other symptoms.

The heart is a muscle that pumps blood around the body by contracting and relaxing.

The heart with HCM may have difficulty pumping blood around the body. As a result, those with HCM can experience a lack of energy, a fast heartbeat, chest pain, or other symptoms.

The heart is a muscle that pumps blood around the body by contracting and relaxing.

The heart with HCM may have difficulty pumping blood around the body. As a result, those with HCM can experience a lack of energy, a fast heartbeat, chest pain, or other symptoms.

The heart is a muscle that pumps blood around the body by contracting and relaxing.

The heart with HCM may have difficulty pumping blood around the body. As a result, those with HCM can experience a lack of energy, a fast heartbeat, chest pain, or other symptoms.

*Image represents non-obstructive HCM.Cardiomyopathy UK, (2022). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Factsheet. Available at: https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/... . Last accessed May 2024. British Heart Foundation, (2021). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cardiomyopathy/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy . Last accessed May 2024.

Understanding the different types of HCM

There are two main types of HCM - non-obstructive HCM and obstructive HCM:

Non-obstructive HCM - the heart muscle thickens, but it doesn't affect the flow of blood out of the heart.Cardiomyopathy UK, (2022). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Factsheet. Available at: https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/... . Last accessed May 2024.
Obstructive HCM - the thickened heart muscle makes it harder to pump blood around the body.Cardiomyopathy UK, (2022). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Factsheet. Available at: https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/... . Last accessed May 2024. It is estimated that obstructive HCM accounts for roughly 70% of all HCM cases.NHS England, (2013). 2013/14 NHS Standard Contract for Cardiology: Inherited Cardiac Conditions (all ages). Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cardiology-inherited-cardiac-conditions.pdf . Last accessed May 2024.

Select a tab to see the difference.Heart.org, (2022). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiomyopathy/... . Last accessed May 2024.

Non-obstructive HCM
Obstructive HCM

HCM can have a serious health impact

People with HCM are more likely to develop abnormal heart rhythms (such as atrial fibrillation, which can lead to blood clots), heart failure, stroke, and in rare cases, sudden cardiac death (SCD).Cardiomyopathy UK, (2022). Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Factsheet. Available at: https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/... . Last accessed May 2024.

Whilst HCM can develop at any age, in some people, the first sign of it can be through SCD, particularly during teenage years or early adulthood.Prinz C, et al., (2011). The Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 108(13): 209–215. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3078548/ . Last accessed May 2024.

Learn about HCM signs and symptoms

The provided list of symptoms may not be complete and experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily indicate that you have HCM. Only a qualified medical professional can offer an accurate diagnosis.

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CV-GB-2400087
Date of Preparation: May 2024