Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center

Symptoms of HCM

Symptoms of HCM can vary greatly. Some people may experience little to no symptoms, while others may have:

  • Shortness of breath, especially during exercise
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Lightheadedness or fainting, especially during or after physical activity
  • Palpitations (a feeling of rapid or irregular heartbeats)
  • Fatigue
  • Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet

Complications of HCM

  • Blocked blood flow: HCM most often affects the bottom left chamber of the heart (called the left ventricle). It causes the walls of the left ventricle to thicken. In some cases, the wall becomes so thick that it blocks blood from flowing out of the heart. This is called obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This blockage can cause symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness and fainting, and problems exercising.
  • Heart rhythm problems: While HCM involves a structural abnormality in the heart muscle, patients often have conduction problems in the biological wiring of the heart as well. Atrial fibrillation, an irregular rhythm that affects the normal pumping of the heart, is a common complication associated with HCM. Patients may also suffer ventricular tachycardia and other serious arrhythmias.
  • Heart failure: Over time the thickened heart muscle may become too stiff to fill with blood and to pump blood efficiently to the rest of the body. This can cause shortness of breath, especially when lying flat or with exertion, and swelling in the legs and feet.
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