HCM Diagnosis and Clinical Implications of Structural Phenotypes

There are different types of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Most people with HCM have a form of the disease in which the wall that separates the two bottom chambers of the heart becomes enlarged and restricts blood flow out of the heart (obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Sometimes HCM occurs without significant blocking of blood flow (nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). However, the heart's main pumping chamber is still thickened and may become increasingly stiff, reducing the amount of blood taken in and then pumped out to the body with each heartbeat. Learn more about the differences between obstructive and nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy so you are better able to discuss its impact with your patients.