Objective：To observe the changes of left ventricular (LV) systolic strain(ε) and strain rate(SR) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and normal healthy subjects by velocity vector imaging(VVI).Methods: Twenty patients with HCM and 20 age-matched healthy adults were enrolled in this study. The peak systolic ε , SR of 18 segments in the 4, 3 and 2-chamber views were measured by VVI. Results: It was found that the systolic SR was (-1.06±0.09)/s in the healthy control group and (-0.74±0.16)/s in the HCM group（P<0.05）. The reduction of systolic SR in HCM group was found not only at the hypertrophic regions but also at normal regions. Conclusion: The systolic ε and SR in HCM group is lower than that in the normal control group. The reduction of systolic ε and SR in HCM group is not limited to the hypertrophic region.