Cardiomyopathy
What is cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy is a
disease of the heart muscle. It can run in families and can affect
more than one member of a family. Some family members may not be
affected at all.
There are three main types of
cardiomyopathy:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular
cardiomyopathy
What is hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy?
Hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited (genetic)
condition which means it can be passed on through
families.
If you have HCM, the cells of your
your heart muscle wall are affected and become
thickened making the heart muscle stiff. This
makes it harder for your heart to pump blood around your body.
What is dilated cardiomyopathy?
When dilated
cardiomyopathy (DCM) is diagnosed it might be that
there is no-one else in your family has the condition. It can
however be inherited too, passed on through families.
In DCM, the heart muscle wall becomes
thin and floppy, and is described
as being dilated. This makes the heart
weak and it is difficult for it to pump blood
around the body effficeintly.
DCM can occur in some women in
the late stages of pregnancy or shortly after birth. Excessive
amounts of alcohol can also cause the
condition.
What is arrhythmogenic right
ventricular cardiomyopathy?
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular
cardiomyopathy (ARVC) usually affects the right side of your
heart. It is an inherited condition which means that it can be
passed on through families.
In ARVC, the heart muscle cells are
gradully replaced with fatty
tissue. When this happens, your heart becomes
weak and unable to pump blood around the body
effectively. It usually takes many years for this to happen so most
people are not diagnosed until later in life.
What else do I need to know?
Although cardiomyopathy cannot be
cured, there are many effective treatments that can help you to
lead a normal life. In a few cases, there is a risk of sudden
arrhythmic death (SADS). You should discuss this with
your doctor who will be able to advise you about treatments
available to you.
Because cardiomyopathies can be
inherited, you should speak to your GP about screening for your
family. You can also find out more information from the BHF Genetic Information Service
on 0300 456 8383 Mon - Fri 0900 - 1800. All calls are charged at a
local rate.
More information
You may also find it helpful to
contact the Cardiomyopathy Association, who
provide information and support on all types of cardiomyopathy.
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