Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by the presence of an abnormal hypertrophy of the left ventricle (LV), without dilation, and in the absence of any condition or another cardiac or systemic disease capable of inducing such hypertrophy. This primary or idiopathic hypertrophy can occur with or without dynamic obstruction (induced by exercise) of the LV outflow tract, so in its natural history two fundamental aspects are highlighted: the production of symptoms by blocking the LV outflow tract and the occurrence of sudden cardiac death secondary to ventricular arrhythmias. This revision includes the work of different Iberoamerican investigators, who contributed in an important way to lay the groundwork of what we know nowadays as HCM. It also includes the main anatomopathological characteristics, from its initial description to the new perspective we have concerning the myofiber disarray as the main histopathologic feature.