Understanding cardiomyopathy can help you find the right treatment

Cardiomyopathy is a collection of conditions that affect the heart muscle and reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. Up to 1 in 500 adults may have the condition, but it often goes undiagnosed.

All cardiomyopathies interfere with blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. But the exact issue with pumping blood out of the heart can differ. Possible problems include:

  • Heart muscle scarring or stiffening
  • The heart filling with a substance other than blood
  • Thickening or thinning of the heart muscle

These issues may lead to heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest, where the heart stops pumping unexpectedly.

Types of cardiomyopathies

Types of cardiomyopathies include:

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

This type causes irregular heartbeat or rhythm (arrhythmia).

Cardiomyopathy symptoms

Some people never experience symptoms of this condition. In others, cardiomyopathy symptoms may appear or worsen as the condition progresses.

Possible cardiomyopathy symptoms include:

  • Angina (chest pain), especially after physical activity or eating a large meal
  • Arrhythmia
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Fainting
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Swelling in the abdomen, ankles, feet or legs

What causes cardiomyopathy?

The cause of cardiomyopathy is often unknown, but several possible factors can be involved, including:

Cardiomyopathy risk factors

Cardiomyopathy can affect people of all ages, but some types are more common at certain stages of life. For example, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy often affects teens or young adults. In contrast, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is more likely to affect people in their 30s.

Similarly, certain types are more common in men, and others tend to affect women.

You may be at higher risk for cardiomyopathy if you have any of the following risk factors:

  • Diabetes
  • Family history of cardiomyopathy, heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest
  • High stress levels
  • History of chemotherapy or radiation treatments 
  • Infection in the heart muscle
  • Obesity
  • Regular alcohol use
  • Thyroid disease
  • Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamines

Diagnosing cardiomyopathy

Your healthcare provider may recommend diagnostic tests if they notice symptoms or if you have a close family member with cardiomyopathy. These tests can confirm if you have cardiomyopathy or rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.

Blood tests

Blood tests measure for specific proteins in the blood that help keep blood pressure stabilized.

Cardiomyopathy treatment options

Some types of cardiomyopathy don’t require treatment if they aren’t causing symptoms. Certain kinds may also go away on their own.

If you need treatment for your cardiomyopathy, your cardiologist will work with you to develop a care plan to:

  • Improve your quality of life
  • Keep the condition from worsening
  • Manage symptoms
  • Prevent serious complications, including sudden cardiac arrest
  • Treat an underlying health condition causing cardiomyopathy

Depending on the type of cardiomyopathy you have, treatment might include a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, medical procedures or surgery.

 

Lifestyle changes

You may be able to manage certain types of cardiomyopathy with lifestyle changes, such as:

  • Avoiding alcohol and illegal drugs
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Exercising regularly
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Limiting certain activities
  • Learning new ways to manage stress
  • Taking steps to manage chronic health conditions
  • Quitting smoking

Frequently asked questions