Cardiomyopathy

Font Size

Topic Overview

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart muscle and the way it pumps. There are different types of cardiomyopathies. And these types have different causes. Cardiomyopathy may occur as a result of damage to the heart, such as from a heart attack, or a person may inherit the tendency to develop it.

In dilated cardiomyopathy, the chambers of the heart enlarge and weaken.
In restrictive cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle gets stiff.
In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle thickens and cannot relax properly.

These changes in the heart muscle can lead to other heart problems such as heart failure. Heart failure means the heart cannot pump blood normally. When the heart cannot pump blood well, the rest of the body may not get enough blood, oxygen, or nutrients. Cardiomyopathy can also lead to other heart problems such as atrial fibrillation, which is a type of irregular heartbeat.

Recommended Related to Heart Disease

The Dangers of High Cholesterol

When Ramona Richman's older sister was diagnosed with high cholesterol, Richman wasn't worried about her own risk. The San Francisco Bay Area stay-at-home mom had her weight under control and assumed that her diet was healthy. So when her doctor broke the news that she, too, had high cholesterol, she was shocked. Her reading of 269 mg/dL was well over the desirable level of less than 200 mg/dL. "My sister had high cholesterol and went on medication, so I imagine that it's a genetic thing," Richman,...

Read the The Dangers of High Cholesterol article > >

Treatment for cardiomyopathy depends on the type of heart problems that occur as a result of the changes in the heart muscle.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: February 24, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.