Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common, inherited heart disease with a heterogeneous clinical presentation and natural history. Recently, advances in diagnosis and treatment options have been instrumental in decreasing the frequency of adverse clinical events; however, complete elimination of sudden cardiac death still remains an elusive gain. This article discusses several aspects of this condition in the young: epidemiology, clinical phenotypes, risk factors, prevention of sudden cardiac death, and risks of athletic participation.
Keywords: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; athletes; children; sudden death.