Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: management issues in the new millennium

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an inherited cardiac disorder. Sudden cardiac death frequently occurs in otherwise healthy individuals, and accounts for nearly 35% of all sudden deaths within this age group. Although symptoms occur commonly, they often go unreported. Despite this, a degree of functional limitation is often seen on objective assessment. Management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is aimed at relieving symptoms, identifying and treating those individuals at increased risk of sudden death, and screening family members.