Conditions & Services / Cardiomyopathy

What is Cardiomyopathy?

A cardiac condition that leads thickening and enlargement of the heart muscle. In rare and untreated cases, the heart muscle can be replaced with scar tissue. The main types of cardiomyopathy include dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive.  Causes of dilated cardiomyopathy include hypertension, HIV, viral infection, diabetes, and sometimes no identifiable cause is known. 

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an inherited form that can lead to sudden cardiac death in athletes.  Restrictive cardiomyopathy can be caused by buildup of iron (hemochromatosis), inflammation of organs (sarcoidosis), abnormal protein buildup (amyloidoisis).  As the cardiomyopathy worsens, the heart muscle can weaken and lead to dilation, arrhythmias, and pump failure.

What are the Symptoms of Cardiomyopathy?

Symptoms associated with cardiomyopathy include the following:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Leg and abdominal swelling
• Fainting
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath with minimal activity
• How is Cardiomyopathy Diagnosed?

The following tests and procedures can be used to diagnose a cardiomyopathy:

• Cardiac Catheterization
• Echocardiography
• Genetic testing
• Myocardial biopsy
• Cardiac MRI
• PET scan
• Stress Testing
• What are the Treatments for Cardiomyopathy?

Various therapies maybe required to treat a cardiomyopathy including:

• Low Salt Diet
• Avoiding cardiotoxic agents (tobacco, alcohol, drugs)
• Treatment of blood pressure 
• Medications to strengthen the heart muscle
• Alcohol Septal Ablation
• Septal myomectomy
• Pacemaker
• ICD
• LVAD