What is the most common cardiac genetic disorder?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is recognized as the most common genetic cardiac disorder. It is characterized by an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, particularly affecting the ventricular wall, which can lead to obstructed blood flow and arrhythmias. The genetic basis of HCM primarily involves mutations in contractile proteins such as myosin and troponin, and it typically follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. This means that individuals with a single copy of the mutated gene can express the disease, resulting in a significant number of affected individuals in the population.

The prevalence of HCM underscores its importance in cardiovascular genetics and clinical practice. It is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 500 individuals, making it a prevalent genetic disorder associated with the heart. Early detection and appropriate management can greatly impact patient outcomes, especially since HCM is a risk factor for sudden cardiac death in young athletes.

In contrast, while other types of cardiomyopathy like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and restrictive cardiomyopathy occur, they are less commonly associated with hereditary patterns and have different prevalence rates. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, although significant in terms of arrhythmia risk, is also less common compared to HCM. Thus