Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Alternate Names : Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy, Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which a portion of the heart muscle is abnormally thick. This can make it harder for blood to flow into and out of the heart and cause other problems.

What is going on in the body?

One of the main blood-pumping chambers of the heart, called the left ventricle, is affected in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The walls of this heart chamber become abnormally thick for unknown reasons. The abnormal thickness of the walls makes the heart chamber stiff, which makes it harder for blood to flow in and out of the heart.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

The cause is of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is unknown, but most cases are thought to be inherited. Someone who has a close relative with this condition has a much higher risk than others do.