Which inherited condition involves the enlargement of the heart muscle and can lead to sudden death in young athletes?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is indeed the condition that primarily features the abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, particularly affecting the ventricles. This condition often goes unnoticed because it can have mild or no symptoms in many individuals. However, in young athletes, especially males, HCM is particularly concerning because it can lead to arrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeats that could potentially result in sudden cardiac arrest. The thickened heart muscle can obstruct blood flow and alter the electrical signals of the heart, increasing the risk of these dangerous situations.

In athletes undergo rigorous physical exertion, the strain on the heart can exacerbate these issues, making the risk of sudden death more pronounced. Screening for HCM is essential for young athletes to help identify individuals at risk and to implement preventive measures or restrictions in their athletic activities.

The other conditions listed may also affect heart function but do not have the same immediate association with sudden death in young athletes as HCM does. For example, dilated cardiomyopathy typically leads to weakened heart muscle and heart failure rather than sudden death. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy often presents differently, primarily affecting the right ventricle and is associated with different genetic factors. Restrictive cardiomyopathy occurs