Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) happens when the heart muscle (myocardium) becomes abnormally thick (hypertrophied). The thickened heart muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood and can cause irregular beating. 

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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often goes undiagnosed because many people with the disease have few, if any, symptoms and are able to lead normal lives with no noticeable problems. For some, the thickened heart muscle can cause shortness of breath, chest pain or problems in the heart's electrical system, resulting in abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).