Overview By Mayo Clinic Staff Print Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Enlarge image Close Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the muscular heart wall called the septum often becomes thicker than usual. But the thickening can happen anywhere in the left lower heart chamber, also called the left ventricle. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes thickened, also called hypertrophied. The thickened heart muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood. Many people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy don't realize they have it. That's because they have few, if any, symptoms. But in a small number of people with HCM, the thickened heart muscle can cause serious symptoms. These include shortness of breath and chest pain. Some people with HCM have changes in the heart's electrical system. These changes can result in life-threatening irregular heartbeats or sudden death. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy overview Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Feb. 23, 2024 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Maron MS. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and evaluation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 9, 2021. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiomyopathy/what-is-cardiomyopathy-in-adults/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy. Accessed Dec. 9, 2021. AskMayoExpert. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2022. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). American College of Cardiology. https://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy. Accessed Dec. 9, 2021. Thomas R. Ami. AllScripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Accessed Dec. 6, 2023. Onmen SR, et al. 2020 AHA/ACC guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Executive summary. Circulation. 2020; doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000938. Cirino AL, et al. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy overview. GeneReviews. 2021; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/. Accessed Dec. 9, 2021. Mankad R (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Nov. 15, 2023. Dearani JA, et al. Surgery insight: Septal myectomy for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — The Mayo Clinic experience. Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine. 2007; doi:10.1038/ncpcardio0965. Kirklin JW, et al. Surgical relief of diffuse subvalvular aortic stenosis. Circulation. 1961; doi:10.1161/01.cir.24.4.739. Maron BJ, et al. Diagnosis and evaluation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: JACC state-of-the-art review. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2022; doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.12.002. Lloyd-Jones DM, et al. Life's essential 8: Updating and enhancing the American Heart Association's construct of cardiovascular health: A presidential advisory from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2022; doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001078. Related Apical myectomy Drummer Beats Heart Disease Genetics and Cardiomyopathy Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Septal myectomy Video: Septal myectomy and apical myectomy Show more related content Associated Procedures Ablation therapy Cardiac catheterization Echocardiogram Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) Genetic testing Holter monitor Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) MRI Pacemaker Show more associated procedures News from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic Minute: Know the warning signs of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Feb. 20, 2024, 05:15 p.m. CDT Sharing Mayo Clinic: A heart patient's fall picks up something big May 15, 2022, 11:00 a.m. CDT Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has been recognized as one of the top Cardiology & Heart Surgery hospitals in the nation for 2023-2024 by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about this top honor Hypertrophic cardiomyopathySymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceThe Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressThe Essential Diabetes BookMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20122098 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy