Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

By Sally Robertson, B.Sc.Reviewed by Dr. Liji Thomas, MD

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively due to the thickening (hypertrophy) of the heart muscle which becomes stiff as a result. The condition is very common and affects around one in 500 men and women in the UK. It can affect people at any age and, among young people, it is a common cause of sudden cardiac death.

Heart disease: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Image Credit: ellepigrafica / Shutterstock

Pathology

The condition affects the muscular wall of the lower heart chambers (ventricles). Usually, only the left ventricle is affected, but sometimes both the ventricles thicken. The ventricular stiffness may reduce the heart’s filling capacity and therefore the amount of blood that can be pumped around the body with each heartbeat. The thickening of the heart walls may also block blood flow from the heart, a condition which is sometimes called obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the damaged heart muscle can also disrupt the heart’s electrical signaling system, which may lead to arrhythmia and increase the risk of heart attack and cardiac arrest.

Cause

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a hereditary condition caused by one or more genes that affect proteins in heart muscle cells. The cells become disorganized and enlarged and the muscle often becomes scarred. Each child born to a parent with this condition is at a 50% risk of also developing it.

Symptoms

Most people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy do not experience symptoms and can lead a normal life despite the condition. This lack of symptoms also means that the condition often goes undiagnosed. However, a small proportion of people do experience symptoms, which range in severity, depending on which parts of the heart muscle are affected and how thick and stiff the muscle has become. People who do experience significant symptoms are at an increased risk of cardiac arrest and sudden death. When symptoms do develop, they commonly include one or more of the following:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain (angina)
• Light-headedness and fainting
• Palpitations
• Heart murmur (which a doctor may detect)

Diagnosis

Some of the tests that may be carried out to diagnose this condition include the following:

Echocardiogram: This test shows how the heart is pumping. By carrying out an echocardiogram, a doctor can tell whether the heart muscle has thickened and whether blood flow has become impeded.

Electrocardiogram: Here, electrodes are placed on the skin to measure and record the electrical signaling in the heart and detect enlargement of the heart chambers and arrhythmias if present.

Exercise test: A patient walks on a treadmill while an ECG is performed, along with breathing and blood pressure measurements, to check how well the heart is functioning during activity.

MRI scan: A cardiac MRI scan is often also performed to allow detailed assessment of the heart. The scan generates detailed images of the heart using magnetic fields and radio waves.

Genetic testing: If a patient has a first-degree relative with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, genetic screening may be offered to determine whether they are carrying some mutations that are associated with the condition.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for this condition, but certain treatments can be offered to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. The treatment choice depends on how damaged the heart muscle is and the symptoms a person is experiencing. Examples of treatment approaches include:

• The use of medications to maintain a healthy blood pressure and control arrhythmia
• The use of a pacemaker to maintain a steady heart rate
• The use of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator when a patient is at risk of dangerous arrhythmias

Studies have shown that with proper management and therapy, people who have developed symptoms due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can lead a normal life.

References

• https://www.bhf.org.uk/
• https://www.cardiomyopathy.org/
• https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/Cardiomyopathy/Hypertrophic-Cardiomyopathy_UCM_444317_Article.jsp
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/home/ovc-20122102

Further Reading

• All Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Content
• Diagnostic Tests for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Screening
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Symptoms and Causes
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treatments