Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the heart muscle thickens.. The thickening of the heart muscle may make it harder for the heart to pump blood.. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is often undiagnosed because many people with the disease have few or no symptoms.. irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmias and arrhythmias and sudden death.. aria-hidden="true"> Symptoms of thickening heart wall Symptoms of cardiomyopathy can include one or more of the following: - Feeling pain in the chest, especially during exercise Fainting, especially during or immediately after exercise or activity - Heart murmur - Feeling of heart palpitations or palpitations Shortness of breath, especially during exercise Causes of heart wall thickening The thickening of the heart wall in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is usually caused by changes in genes or gene mutations that cause thickening of the heart muscle.. Cardiomyopathy... If it is not in the blood stream it is called non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.. However, the heart's main pumping chamber, or left ventricle, may stiffen... become people... Risk factors for thickening of the heart wall Cardiomyopathy is usually considered an inherited disease....People with a parent with cardiomyopathy have a 50% chance of having the genetic mutation....Parents, children, or siblings of someone with cardiomyopathy should ask their doctor about screening for this disease. See a doctor.. - Fast or irregular heartbeat - Difficulty in breathing - Chest pain Consequences of thickening of the heart wall Complications of cardiomyopathy can include the following: ### Atrial fibrillation Thickening of the heart wall and changes in the structure of heart cells may cause changes in the heart's electrical system, resulting in an irregular and fast heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation can also increase the risk of blood clots that can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.. and fainting... Mitral valve disease If the thickened heart muscle blocks the flow of blood from the heart, the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle, or the mitral valve, may not close properly. As a result, blood can leak backward into the left atrium, a process called mitral valve regurgitation, which may also worsen symptoms in people with thickened heart walls. The thickened heart muscle can eventually become stiff enough to fill the heart with blood.. As a result, the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.. ### Fainting or syncope... An irregular heartbeat or blocked blood flow can sometimes cause fainting... Unexplained fainting can be associated with sudden death in a young person, especially if #card happened at a young age.. Sudden cardiac death Rarely, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can cause sudden heart-related death in people of any age.... Because many people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy go undiagnosed, sudden cardiac death may be the first symptom of the disease... It can occur in apparently healthy young adults, including high school athletes and other young, active adults. Guidance on treatment and prevention of complications is very important.. If a first-degree relative such as a parent, sibling or child with hypertrophic disease is referred to you for cardiomyopathy.. Recommendation for frequent echocardiograms.... Athletes and teenagers should be screened every year.... The best test for them is echo stress test....