HCM is a chronic, progressive disease^1-3

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a myocardial disorder defined by left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in the absence of other causes^1-3

Hypercontractility and subsequent hypertrophy of the ventricular walls are characteristics of HCM^1,2,4
The thickening of the LV wall cannot be explained by another cardiac or systemic disease⁴
This progressive and adverse cardiac debilitation can occur over many years, leading to chronic and acute health complications that may often be irreversible²

One U.S. study estimated that at least 85% of Americans with HCM are likely undiagnosed^2,5

In the majority of cases, HCM is inherited with a ~50% risk of transmission to offspring^1,2
Sarcomere mutations are the most common genetic basis of HCM¹
- The sarcomere is the basic contractile unit of striated muscle⁶
- Sarcomeres are responsible for contraction and relaxation of all muscle cells⁶

Nonobstructive HCM
- The LV muscle is thickened to ≥15 mm, but there is little to no blockage of blood flow out of the LV^1-3*
- The peak resting and stress gradient (LV outflow tract [LVOT]) is <30 mmHg^1,3
Obstructive HCM
- The blockage caused by the thickened heart muscle, referred to as LVOT obstruction, reduces the blood flow out of the left ventricle^1-3
- The peak resting and provoked LVOT gradients are ≥30 mmHg^1-3

~70 %

-75 %

of patients with HCM have LVOT obstruction, either at rest or with provocation^1,2

Both forms can lead to adverse complications and outcomes; however, the risk of heart failure is higher in patients with obstructive HCM^2,3

* The clinical criterion for diagnosing HCM for a patient who has a family history of HCM or a positive genetic test is ≥13 mm LV wall thickness.³

HCM=hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; LV=Left ventricular; LVOT=Left ventricular outflow tract

Ommen SR, et al. 2024 AHA/ACC/AMSSM/HRS/PACES/SCMR Guideline for the Management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2024;83(23):2324-405.
Naidu, Srihari S, editor. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Second ed., Springer International Publishing, 2019.
Crean AM, et al. General Clinical Practice Update: Canadian Cardiovascular Society Clinical Practice Update on Contemporary Management of the Patient with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Can J Cardiol 2024;40(9):1503-23.
Gersh, et al. 2011 ACCF/AHA guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2011;142(6):e153-203.
Maron MS, et al. Occurrence of clinically diagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the United States. Am J Cardiol 2016;117(10):1651-4.
Garfinkel AC, et al. Genetic pathogenesis of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy. Heart Fail Clin 2018;14(2):139-46.