Cardiomyopathy

Heart muscle disease is a progressive condition in which the heart muscle is abnormally enlarged, thickened and/or stiffened. This disease changes the heart muscle's beating and pumping ability, often causing heart failure and backup of fluid in the lungs or in other parts of the body. Heart muscle disease may also cause abnormal heart rhythms. There are three types of cardiomyopathy: dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), restrictive cardiomyopathy, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Risk factors and causes

DCM can be inherited, but it is primarily caused by a variety of other factors, including: severe coronary artery disease, alcoholism, and diabetes.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can also run in families, but the condition may also be acquired as a part of aging or high blood pressure. In other instances, the cause is unknown. Enlarged hearts also normally occur in athletes.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is not usually inherited and the cause is often unknown. Known causes are a build-up of fat and proteins (amyloidosis) in the heart muscle, excess of iron (hemochromatosis) in the heart, and chest exposure to radiation.

Prevention & Planning Ahead

To prevent DCM you should control risk factors associated with coronary artery disease, limit alcohol consumption, avoid illegal drug use, and use prescribed drugs only as directed.

To prevent HCM you should maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

To prevent restrictive cardiomyopathy you should control risk factors associated with heart attack like high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol.

Diagnosis

All three types of cardiomyopathy are diagnosed with the following tests and procedures: physical exam, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and cardiac catherization.

Intervention/Treatment

Treatment for cardiomyopathy depends on the type of cardiomyopathy and related symptoms. Typical treatment includes: ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and lifestyle changes (ex. diet and exercise).