Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

What is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heart muscle disease characterized by thickening of the left ventricular (LV) myocardium, with an estimated prevalence of 1/500 affected people in the population worldwide.
• HCM is frequently inherited although there can be other causes for the onset of HCM.
• Most people with HCM rarely show symptoms before puberty.

Symptoms of HCM

• Shortness of breath – especially with exercise or exertion or after eating a large meal
• Palpitations – often described as abnormally fast or strong heartbeats, extra or skipped beats
• Syncope (loss of consciousness, fainting) – often occurring with exercise
• Presyncope (near fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness) – often occurring with exercise
• Chest pain – sometimes described as a discomfort or tightness in the chest especially with exercise or exertion or after eating a large meal

There are many reasons someone can have these symptoms so this list is not specific to HCM.  However, anyone who experiences these symptoms should see their physician and request a referral for a complete cardiac assessment performed in a heart clinic specializing in inherited cardiac conditions.

Treatment/Standard of Care

Additional Resources

Please note: The Canadian SADS Foundation provides links to external websites for informational purposes only. While we regard these as reputable sources of information, please be aware that The Canadian SADS Foundation is not responsible for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links.

Click the button below to view additional information from a number of different institutions from Canada, the UK and the US

Hear from families affected by HCM