What is the primary treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

The primary treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) focuses on symptom management, and beta blockers are often the first-line pharmacological agents used. They work effectively by reducing heart rate and myocardial contractility, which can help alleviate symptoms such as chest pain and dyspnea. Beta blockers also contribute to improved exercise tolerance and decrease the risk of arrhythmias.

In patients with obstructive HCM, they help by reducing the outflow obstruction at the left ventricular outflow tract and are generally well-tolerated. This effectiveness, along with their safety profile, supports their designation as the standard initial therapy for managing patients with this condition.

The other options, while they have roles in management, do not serve as primary treatments. For example, calcium channel blockers may be beneficial in certain cases but are typically not first-line due to side effects and inferior efficacy compared to beta blockers. Surgical myomectomy is an invasive option considered for severely symptomatic patients who do not respond to medical therapy. Diuretics can help manage volume overload or heart failure symptoms in specific circumstances, but they do not address the underlying issues of HCM-related outflow obstruction.

Thus, beta blockers are central to the therapeutic approach in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, guiding