Some have absolutely no symptoms for years and are only diagnosed after having and electrocardiogram for another reason, or when they come for an examination because a family member is known to carry the disease. Sometimes the disorder is detected for the first time at autopsy after the patient's death. Although predisposition for developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is present from birth, the abnormal heart muscle proliferation may actually began during adolescent growth spurt. In such cases symptoms may develop rather abruptly during teenage years. Fainting upon exertion and chest pain similar to the angina of coronary artery disease may be early symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Some patients experience palpitations because of abnormal heart rhythms.
Eventually, symptoms of congestive heart failure may become prominent. It provides images and reveals blood flow patterns that allow physicians to physicians to identify the distinctive abnormalities in the heart walls and valves. Other characteristic features of the disease are often recorded an chest X-rays, on electrocardiograms, and during cardiac catheterization. When hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is severe, patients are advised to limit stressful physical activity, particularly strenuous competitive sports . They may also be given drugs to relieve symptoms.