The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association Welcomes Our Newest Recognized Center of Excellence - UW Medicine Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic

March 21, 2025

We are proud to announce that the UW Medicine Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Clinic has received the “Center of Excellence” recognition from the HCMA. The UW Medicine HCM Clinic, led by David S. Owens, MD, was established in 2010 and provides consultation by a team of clinicians with expertise in diagnosing and managing HCM and other related heart muscle disorders. The UW Medicine HCM Clinic includes HCM specialists, electrophysiologists, medical geneticists, interventional cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons, all collaborating to provide optimal diagnostic and treatment options, including cardiac myosin inhibitor and septal reduction therapies. The HCM Clinic works closely with the UW Medicine Genetics Clinic for genetic testing and family screening, the UW Medicine Cardio-Obstetrics Clinic for management of HCM during pregnancy, and Seattle Children’s Hospital for pediatric screening and seamless transition of children to adult cardiology care. Each person is evaluated and treated using an inclusive, patient-centered, and integrated approach to establish an ongoing partnership in care.

UW Medicine seeks to actively advance HCM care through clinical, translational, and basic science research. by focusing on three main aspects of HCM care: (1) management and treatment of symptoms; (2) assessment and prevention of abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death; and (3) screening of family members using genetic testing or imaging.



Up to 1 in 250 people — more than 3000 in Seattle alone — suffer from HCM, the most common genetic heart disease in the US.  This mainly inherited condition causes the heart muscle to thicken and become stiff, which makes it very difficult to pump blood and leads to heart rhythm abnormalities.  Yet, according to the National Institutes of Health, only 15% of affected individuals are even aware they have this condition. 

HCM affects every age, gender, and ethnicity; some individuals have no initial symptoms, while others experience fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, fainting, and even sudden cardiac death.  These varying symptoms make HCM difficult to diagnose and often result in a misdiagnosis. Effective testing is an essential first step in identifying HCM, and the best place to seek expert care is at an HCMA Recognized Center of Excellence (COE). 

Please visit for more information about UW Medicine HCM Clinic, please visit:  https://www.4hcm.org/coe/uw

For more information on all HCMA Recognized Centers of Excellence, please visit https://www.4hcm.org/coe/.

About the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association

The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, HCMA, was founded in 1996 as an international resource for patients, families, and the medical community on matters of importance. HCM is a genetic heart muscle disorder affecting 1 in 250 people worldwide. The HCMA provides support, advocacy, and education to patients, families, the medical community, and the public about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and all thick heart muscle disorders while supporting research and development of treatments and diagnostics. The HCMA is a 501c(3) with offices in Denville, NJ, and online at www.4hcm.org.