Types of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is described as either obstructive or nonobstructive.

In nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle is abnormally thick but not to the extent that any part of it crowds the lower heart chambers (ventricles). The thicker muscle simply cannot relax properly. This means less blood can enter the chambers and less blood is circulated to the body. In addition, abnormal heart rhythms may develop. About 75% of people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have this type.¹
In obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, portions of the heart muscle become so thick that they bulge out into the lower heart chambers (ventricles). Blocked blood flow and smaller, less effective ventricles result, especially during exercise, when the heart has less time to relax and fill. Thickened heart muscle may also interfere with how the heart valves open and close, particularly the mitral valve, which divides the left upper chamber (atrium) from the left ventricle.

References

Citations
Maron BJ (2002). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A systematic review. JAMA, 287(10): 1312–1320.

Author	Monica Rhodes
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Denele Ivins
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Last Updated	December 18, 2006

Last updated:	December 18, 2006
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman

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