Which of the following is a potential complication of untreated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Untreated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can lead to a variety of complications, and one of the most significant is the development of arrhythmias. In this condition, the heart muscle becomes abnormally thickened, which can disrupt the normal electrical conduction pathways of the heart. This disruption can result in various types of irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias, which can manifest as palpitations, syncope (fainting), or even sudden cardiac arrest.

The presence of arrhythmias is particularly concerning because they can adversely affect cardiac output and lead to more severe complications, including an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, especially in younger individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Common types of arrhythmias associated with this condition may include atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.

Other potential complications of untreated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, such as heart failure, severe valve regurgitation, and coronary artery disease, can also occur but are typically secondary to the direct effects of the hypertrophied muscle and its implications for cardiac function and rhythm. While arrhythmias are a direct result of the structural abnormalities caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, heart failure, for instance, often develops as a downstream consequence of compromised cardiac function due to those