Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: An inherited cardiac condition

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited cardiac condition affecting the cardiac muscle and a major cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people and adults (Michels et al, 2007). Patients are often unaware of their condition until presenting with serious and often fatal arrhythmias or heart failure. Clinical guidelines have assisted the diagnostic process but the genetic origin of HCM raises important ethical and counselling issues. This article highlights the molecular, counselling and ethical issues related to managing patients with HCM. A case example of a woman who presented with HCM aged 39 years is used to help the reader understand how some of the broad issues relate to practice. The HCM diagnosis in this case indicated that members of her family could be carrying a genetic mutation responsible for HCM.