What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Enlarged heart - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy means disease of the heart muscle. Hypertrophy means enlargement. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease where the heart muscle is enlarged, and were in some cases lead to symptoms due to impaired cardiac function.

Typically, an enlarged heart due to underlying disease such as congenital valvular abnormalities or high blood pressure. However, the condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is no such underlying disease. The disease is hereditary and is due to changes in genes (mutations) that can be transmitted to new generations.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs in approximately. 1 of 500-1000 adults. The disease is present from childhood, but rarely produces symptoms until puberty. Often it is discovered wounded in youth or adulthood. The condition is the most frequent cause of sudden cardiac death among young people and athletes.