What is the most common cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is primarily caused by genetic mutations, particularly in genes responsible for coding proteins that are essential for cardiac muscle contraction. The most commonly affected genes are those that encode components of the sarcomere, the fundamental unit of muscle contraction.

In most cases, HCM is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning that only one copy of the mutated gene is sufficient to cause the condition. This genetic predisposition is significant as it often leads to structural abnormalities in the heart muscle, which can result in an increased thickness of the ventricular walls and may disrupt normal blood flow.

While other factors like coronary artery disease, aging, and hypertension can have relationships with heart disease and can exacerbate cardiac conditions, they are not considered the primary causes of HCM itself. For instance, coronary artery disease typically leads to ischemic heart conditions rather than genetic muscle abnormalities. Aging and hypertension can contribute to overall cardiac health decline but do not directly cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Therefore, understanding the genetic basis of HCM is crucial for both diagnosis and management of the condition.