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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease of the heart muscle. It's abnormal thickening of the heart muscle. HCM is characterized by the hypertrophy, formation of excessive fibrous connective tissue within the heart muscle, and the disarray of muscle cells.

Blood flow from the heart may become reduced or restricted. The thickening typically is involves the septum which protrude into the left ventricle. The left ventricle holds less blood due to the thickened muscle making the inside smaller causing an obstruction. The walls of the ventricle may also toughen. Therefore, the ventricle is less able to fill with blood and relax. Higher blood pressure is needed to make the heart muscle contract and pump the blood out of the heart.

Often times, both ventricles are affected. The thickening may happen at the bottom of the heart affecting the left and right ventricle. This non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, doesn't affect the blood flow out of the heart.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is often an inherited condition. It's caused by a change in some of the genes in heart muscle proteins. HCM in adolescents or young adults can cause sudden death in children and young adult athletes. With chronic high blood pressure or aging, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy could potentially occur. Diabetes or thyroid disease can also cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. At times, the cause of the disease is unknown.

HCM can also disturb the heart's mitral valve, causing blood to flow backward through the valve. The longer cardiomyopathy persists, the weaker the heart gets. In rare cases, the muscle tissue in the heart is replaced with scar tissue.

For most people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, they are asymptomatic throughout life, some present with severe limiting symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, and fainting; some may even die suddenly from cardiac causes. Inherited or genetic types of cardiomyopathy cannot be prevented. Establishing or following a healthier lifestyle can help control symptoms and complications.

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