What Is Hypertrophic Heart Disease? What To Know About Kristoff St. John's Death

A cause of death has been determined in the death of actor Kristoff St. John. The 52-year-old died Feb. 3 of hypertrophic heart disease, according to reports, and his death has been ruled an accident. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner told Entertainment Tonight that alcohol also was a contributing factor.

According to TMZ, the “Young & Restless” star had been on an alcohol binge at the time, which can trigger heart disease. So what exactly is hypertrophic heart disease?

WebMD defines it as a disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, which can make it harder for the heart to pump blood. Typically, treatment is not sought after because people with the disease, which is also called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, can lead a normal life and often do not experience any abnormal symptoms. Yet, some symptoms to look out for are chest pain, especially during exercise, fainting after exerting oneself, and a heart murmur, which a doctor usually detects during a checkup.

Sudden cardiac death is estimated to occur in about 1 percent of people with HCM each year, though it usually occurs in people under the age of 30. And unfortunately, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is inherited, so it can't be prevented, and therefore it is essential to tell your doctor your family medical history and get annual checkups.

St. John left is survived by his fiancée, Kseniya Mikhaleva, and daughters Lola and Paris. His only son, Julian, passed away over four years ago, committing suicide after struggling with mental health issues.