Prevalence of idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in China: a population-based echocardiographic analysis of 8080 adults

Purpose To determine the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in China. Methods This epidemiologic investigation was performed in 8080 adults from nine communities across nine provinces in China from October 2001 to February 2002, using a multistage, random sample design. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was defined as nondilated ventricular hypertrophy, documented by echocardiography, that was not caused by any known cardiac or systemic disease. Results Of the 4064 men and 4016 women who were screened, 13 (0.16%; 9 men and 4 women) had definite echocardiographic evidence for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence was about 80 per 100,000 adults. Conclusion Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is not rare in China. Based on the estimated prevalence, there are at least 1 million cases in China.