What arrhythmia is commonly associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, particularly affecting the ventricular walls. This structural change can lead to various electrical disturbances during heart contraction, primarily due to the altered configuration and increased mass of the myocardium.

Atrial fibrillation is particularly notable in the context of HCM because it can arise from the increased left atrial pressure and enlargement that often accompany the disease. As the left atrium becomes more distended due to impaired diastolic filling and increased pressures, the risk of atrial fibrillation increases. This arrhythmia is concerning because it can lead to a rapid and irregular heart rhythm, which may exacerbate symptoms in patients with HCM and increase the risk of thromboembolic events, such as stroke.

Other arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, or sinus arrhythmia, are less specific to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. While these arrhythmias can occur in various cardiac conditions, atrial fibrillation has a more established and notable association with HCM due to the specific pathophysiological changes occurring within the heart. This makes atrial fibrillation the most common arrhythmia linked with hypertrophic cardi