Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Overview

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited disease of the heart muscle. HCM can cause the wall of the heart muscle to thicken. When the walls get too thick, the heart muscle functions inefficiently, causing some patients to have obstruction to blood flow from the heart. HCM is also associated with abnormal heart rhythms, which can sometimes be life threatening.

Our approach to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Over the past decades, UCSF has helped pioneer breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of genetic heart disorders such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Patients have access to world-class care at our cardiovascular genetics program – the first such program in Northern California and one of a select few across the country. Specialists in inherited heart conditions offer evaluations, genetic testing and counseling, customized treatment plans and help in addressing the complex psychological and familial issues that can accompany a genetic disorder such as HCM.

Treatment for HCM depends on the patient's symptoms, heart function and other factors, and may include medications or surgery. In cases where the disorder is causing irregular heartbeats, we may perform a catheter ablation, a procedure that destroys the portion of heart tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. Other options include surgically implanting a pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator, devices that use electrical impulses to regulate the heart's rhythm. Our patients may also have access to the latest experimental treatments being evaluated in clinical trials.

Awards & recognition

Among the top hospitals in the nation
One of the nation's best for heart & vascular surgery

Signs & symptoms

People with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can have the following symptoms

Shortness of breath
Chest pain or discomfort
Fainting
Palpitations or the sensation of feeling the heart beat
Dizziness

A minority of people with HCM will suffer from the most serious complications, which include sudden death, heart failure and stroke. It is important to note that HCM has a wide range of severity. Some people may not experience symptoms and may have normal heart evaluations well into adulthood. Others may have serious complications at a young age, including heart failure or sudden cardiac death. It is difficult to predict whether an individual will have a mild form of HCM or a more severe form. HCM can be a major cause of death in young athletes who appear healthy but die during intense exercise.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) requires a thorough cardiology and genetics evaluation. A complete medical history including a family medical history will be taken. Then a physical examination will be done. This includes listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope to check for any abnormal heart sounds or murmurs. The pulse in both your arms and neck will be checked and the doctor may feel for an abnormal heart beat in the chest.

Additional tests to diagnose cardiomyopathy typically include echocardiography and electrocardiogram (ECG). Further testing may also be needed, including genetic testing, cardiac MRI, exercise stress testing, monitoring for abnormal heart rhythms and cardiac catheterization. In addition to making a precise diagnosis, these tests are invaluable in determining severity and guiding disease management.

The family connection

If a patient is diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), it is important that their immediate family members be screened for the condition as well, since HCM can run in families. They should be evaluated and then followed and re-checked every few years by a cardiologist.

HCM is caused by changes in genes that help build the muscle of the heart. Genetic testing can help determine if family members will develop HCM. Once genetic testing has identified the genetic mutation causing HCM in a family, other family members can be tested for that same genetic mutation to see if they also inherited it.

If genetic testing shows that they do carry the genetic mutation that causes HCM in the family then they are at increased risk for developing the symptoms and changes in the heart that are associated with HCM. This knowledge can help them make choices to preserve their health, such as avoiding strenuous exercise, which can make HCM worse, and seeking regular care with a cardiologist, who may prescribe specific medications or arrange for a pacemaker or defibrillator to be implanted.

If a relative of a person with a cardiomyopathy has genetic testing and is found not to carry the genetic mutation for HCM, then that relative need not be followed by a cardiologist. This can relieve a lot of stress and worry.

Treatments

Treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) depends on the presence and severity of a patient's symptoms, how a patient's heart is functioning, if a patient is suffering from abnormal heart rhythms and a patient's age and activity level. Treatment ranges from medications to surgery or ablation. Treatment of abnormal heart rhythms may include surgically implanting a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator into the patient. In rare cases of severe heart failure, a heart transplant may be needed.

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.