Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy history and symptoms

Editor(s)-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [mailto:mgibson@perfuse.org]

Overview
The symptoms associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are quite variable and range from no symptoms, to the development of heart failure, to the occurrence of sudden cardiac death. The symptoms may vary tremendously from individual even within a family. The timing of symptom onset is quite variable as well and may range from infancy to adulthood.

Symptoms

 * Chest pain (also known as angina)
 * Congestive heart failure symptoms including exercise intolerance and dyspnea.
 * Dizziness
 * Dyspnea (shortness of breath) which is due to increased stiffness of the hypertrophied left ventricle. This hypertrophy of the left ventricle impairs filling of the left ventricle and leads to elevated filling pressure in the left ventricle and the left atrium. Symptoms are not closely related to the presence or severity of a the left ventricular outflow tract gradient.
 * Exercise intolerance
 * Fainting, presyncope or frank syncope, especially during exercise
 * Fatigue
 * Heart failure (in some patients)
 * High blood pressure (hypertension)
 * Light-headedness, especially with or after activity or exercise, or when standing up suddenly
 * Palpitations or the sensation of feeling the heart beat
 * Shortness of breath
 * Reduced activity tolerance
 * Shortness of breath when lying down (orthopnea)
 * Sudden cardiac death