Cardiomyopathy

Description

A disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body.

Overview

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. Often, the cause isn't known. But some people get it due to another health condition. Other people are born with the disease because of a gene they get from a parent. There are different types of cardiomyopathy. The main ones are dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy can lead to some other serious heart conditions.

Symptoms

Cardiomyopathy symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, and heartbeats that feel fast, pounding or fluttering. But some people have no symptoms.

Treatments

Cardiomyopathy treatment depends on the type of cardiomyopathy and how serious it is. Treatment may include medicines, heart surgery and implanted heart devices. Some people need a heart transplant.