Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited heart disease, affecting approximately 1 in 500 people. It is characterized by abnormal thickening (hypertrophy) of the heart muscle, particularly the left ventricle, that is not explained by other conditions like high blood pressure. The thickened muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood and can cause dangerous heart rhythms.

HCM is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes and people under 35 years old. However, many people with HCM live normal lives without significant symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include shortness of breath (especially with exertion), chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. Symptoms can worsen with physical exertion or dehydration.

The condition can also cause obstruction to blood flow out of the heart when the thickened heart muscle blocks the outflow tract (called hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy or HOCM). This obstruction can worsen symptoms and increase the risk of complications. Atrial fibrillation is also common in HCM and increases stroke risk.

HCM is caused by mutations in genes encoding proteins of the sarcomere (the contractile unit of heart muscle). The most commonly affected genes are MYBPC3 and MYH7, which together account for about 70% of cases. Other genes include TNNT2, TNNI3, TPM1, ACTC1, MYL2, MYL3, and PRKAG2. The condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

NutraHacker examines the following genes related to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy:

• MYBPC3
• MYH7
• TNNT2
• TNNI3
• TPM1
• ACTC1
• MYL2
• MYL3
• PRKAG2

For more information about your own genetic profile as related to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, please check out our NutraHacker WGS Critical Genetics Report.

Or to get going without any further delay, upload WGS raw DNA data and find out more about your critical genetics profile today.