Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is an Atypical Thickening of the Heart Muscle

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, the main characteristic of which is its thickening. Such thickened heart muscle can make it difficult for the heart to pump blood. The disease is rarely detected in humans because people have few symptoms and can lead a normal life without significant problems. However, in a small number of people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the thickened myocardium can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, or problems with the heart's conduction system, resulting in a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm.