Sleep apnea is highly prevalent in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (53%), and HCM patients with comorbid SA exhibit distinct baseline characteristics, cardiac structure and drug application.
The pooled prevalence of sleep apnea in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was 53%.
HCM patients with sleep apnea were significantly older than those without sleep apnea.
Male sex was significantly associated with sleep apnea in HCM patients.
HCM patients with sleep apnea had elevated body mass index compared to those without sleep apnea.
Smoking was significantly more common in HCM patients with sleep apnea.
Hypertension, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation were all significantly more prevalent in HCM patients with sleep apnea.
HCM patients with sleep apnea showed distinct echocardiographic findings compared to those without sleep apnea.
HCM patients with sleep apnea showed increased application of hypertensive drugs, and use of calcium channel blockers was identified as a source of heterogeneity.
This research suggests that sleep apnea is remarkably common among people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thickened. By pooling data from eight studies involving nearly 4,000 HCM patients, the researchers found that about half (53%) of HCM patients also had sleep apnea. This is notably higher than sleep apnea rates in the general population, suggesting a meaningful overlap between these two conditions. The study also found that HCM patients who had sleep apnea tended to differ from those without it in several important ways. Those with sleep apnea were older, more likely to be male, had higher body mass index, were more likely to smoke, and were more likely to have other health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm). Their hearts also showed structural differences: the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart (interventricular septum) was slightly thinner, while the left upper and lower chambers of the heart were larger. They were also more likely to be taking blood pressure medications. These findings matter because they highlight that sleep apnea may be an underrecognized problem in people with HCM, and that HCM patients with sleep apnea appear to have a more complex health profile overall. This research suggests that screening for sleep apnea in HCM patients—particularly those who are older, male, overweight, or who have other cardiovascular risk factors—may be warranted, and that the two conditions may interact in ways that affect heart structure and clinical management.
Du D, Liu S, He S, An N, Shen Y, Luo F. (2026). Prevalence and clinical characteristics of sleep apnea in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A meta-analysis.. Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-026-03728-6