How Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Diagnosed?

HCM is diagnosed primarily with imaging of the heart by echocardiogram or cardiac MRI. Genetic testing is presently used only to assess risk of HCM. Those diagnosed with HCM are tested. If an HCM-promoting mutation is found, their close relatives can then be tested for the same mutation, to see if they are at risk of developing HCM. 

 

 

Tests Include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Echocardiogram (echo)
• Physical Examination
• Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR Or MRI)
• Holter monitor, event monitor or loop recorder

 

 

• Other Testing May be Needed including:

  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Cardiopulmonary stress test

Misdiagnosis

It is not uncommon to see people diagnosed with asthma, anxiety attacks, panic attacks or some forms of depression, only to find that the underlying cause of the symptoms is HCM.

 

Citations:

Maron, B.J. and Salberg, L.  Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: For patients, their families and interested physicians.  Blackwell Futura: 1stedition 2001,81 pages; 2ndedition 2006, 113 pages; 3rdedition pending publication 2014

Gersh, B.J., Maron, B.J., Bonow, R.O., Dearani, J.A., Fifer, M.A., Link, M.S., et al. (2011). 2011 ACCF/AHA guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Circulation, 58, e212-260.

 

Completed:

• G. A. Fox 30 March 2021