Cardiomyopathy
What is cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart
muscle, making it abnormal with no obvious cause. There are four
main types of cardiomyopathy:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM)
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an excessive thickening of
the heart muscle without any obvious cause. Sometimes this can be
inherited but not always or in other cases this can be caused by a
persistently high blood pressure.
What is dilated cardiomyopathy?
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) causes the heart to become dilated
or enlarged. As a result the heart may become weak and is unable to
pump blood efficiently around the body. In the majority of cases
it’s unknown why DCM occurs, but excessive alcohol is known to be a
cause.
What is arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy?
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an
inherited disorder where the heart muscle cells are gradually
replaced by fibrous and fatty tissue. This causes the heart to
dilate and its pumping action to weaken. There’s no known cause for
this condition, but it has a tendency to run in families.
What is restrictive cardiomyopathy?
The least common of the cardiomyopathies, restrictive
cardiomyopathy causes the walls of the heart muscle to become
stiff. This restricts the flow of blood through the heart, leading
to problems with blood flow to the rest of the body. The cause is
unknown, but it has been linked to rare metabolic conditions.
Recent evidence suggests that the disease may also be caused by a
genetic abnormality.
What can cardiomyopathy lead to?
Changes in the structure of the heart muscle may lead to
problems with the pumping action of the heart, which can sometimes
lead to heart failure.
Cardiomyopathy may also disrupt the normal electrical pathway in
the heart, increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and
palpitations.
Living with cardiomyopathy
Many people with cardiomyopathy are able to continue with
their lives as normal, but some people will experience symptoms and
may be at risk of complications. These vary greatly between each
person and it’s important to be seen by a cardiologist who will
assess your individual case and prescribe treatment if
necessary.
More information
For more information on the causes, diagnosis, symptoms,
treatments and living with cardiomyopathy you can order our
booklets from our Publications
section.
You may also find it helpful to contact the
Cardiomyopathy Association, who provide
information and support on all types of cardiomyopathy.
Helpline: 0800 018 1024
Website: www.cardiomyopathy.org
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