hcm

HCM is an acronym used in various contexts. The two most common meanings are hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic heart condition, and human capital management, a set of practices and software for managing an organization's workforce.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by thickening of the heart muscle, most often the interventricular septum, which can impede blood flow from the left ventricle. The condition is typically inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern and affects about 1 in 500 adults. Many individuals are asymptomatic, but symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, or fainting. Diagnosis is usually by echocardiography, with confirmation by cardiac MRI, electrocardiography, and family history. Management aims to reduce symptoms and risk of sudden cardiac death and may include lifestyle modifications, beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, and in obstructive cases procedures such as septal myectomy or alcohol septal ablation. Patients at high risk of sudden death may receive an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The prognosis varies with severity and genotype.

Human capital management (HCM) refers to a people-centered approach to aligning an organization's human resources with its objectives. It encompasses planning, recruitment and onboarding, learning and development, performance management, compensation and benefits, succession planning, and employee relations. HCM is often supported by integrated software suites that combine HR information systems (HRIS), payroll, time and attendance, and analytics to optimize workforce planning, productivity, and compliance.