How Common is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a not an uncommon heart disease. Recent publications indicate that HCM is the most common of all genetic heart conditions affecting 1 in 500 people in the general population.  Based on these data we may estimate that as many as 600,000 people in the United States have HCM.  Subsequent studies have also proven that HCM has a prevelance of 1 in 500 in a wide variety of populations including, Native Americans, Chinese, Rural Midwestern US, and others. There is no gender, age or ethnic factor specific to HCM, HCM is an equal oppertunity disease.

In comparison Cystic Fibrosis has a prevalence of 1 in 3300. This means HCM is nearly 7 times more common than Cystic Fibrosis.

If you would like to help the HCMA spread the word about this condition, please contact our office 973-983-7429.

Citations:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in China. Maron BJ.Am J Cardiol. 2007 Jul 1;100(1):145-6. Epub 2007 May 21
• Gender-related differences in the clinical presentation and outcome of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Olivotto I, Maron MS, Adabag AS, Casey SA, Vargiu D, Link MS, Udelson JE, Cecchi F, Maron BJ.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005 Aug 2;46(3):480-7.
• Proposal for contemporary screening strategies in families with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Maron BJ, Seidman JG, Seidman CE.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2004 Dec 7;44(11):2125-32