Cardiomyopathy

Basic Facts

  • Cardiomyopathy most simply means a heart muscle problem.

    There are different kinds of cardiomyopathy.

    Ischemic cardiomyopathy- heart muscle becomes damaged by poor blood flow due to coronary artery disease or an injury from a heart attack.

    Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy refers to forms of cardiomyopathy not related to known coronary artery disease.

    Cardiomyopathy is a common cause of congestive heart failure, the name for a range of symptoms that occur asa result of a weakened heart. These may include:

    • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially with physical exertion or when lying flat
    • Fatigue
    • Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen and veins in the neck
    • Lightheadedness or fainting during physical activity
    • Chest pain, especially after physical exertion or heavy meals

     

    Often, the cause of the cardiomyopathy is unknown called "idiopathic cardiomyopathy". In some people, however, it's the result of another condition (acquired) or passed on from a parent (inherited).

    Contributing factors for acquired cardiomyopathy include:

    • Long-term high blood pressure
    • Damage from a heart attack
    • Chronic rapid heart rate
    • Heart valve problems
    • Long term metabolic disorders, such as obesity, thyroid disease or diabetes
    • Nutritional deficiency of thiamin (vitamin B-1)
    • Pregnancy complications
    • Drinking too much alcohol over many years
    • Use of cocaine, amphetamines or anabolic steroids
    • Use of some chemotherapy drugs and radiation to treat cancer
    • Certain infections, especially those that inflame the heart
    • Iron buildup in your heart muscle (hemochromatosis)
    • A condition that causes inflammation and can cause lumps of cells to grow in the heart and other organs (sarcoidosis)
    • A disorder that causes the buildup of abnormal proteins (amyloidosis)
    • Connective tissue disorders

     

    In addition to taking a detailed medical history, listening to the patient describe the symptoms, and conducting a physical examination, the healthcare provider may also recommend:

    • Electrocardiogram (ECG) – When the heart muscle changes, it can change the way electricity flows through it, thus changing the appearance of the ECG. 
    • Holter Monitor (an ambulatory ECG) – This device records the heart’s activity for 24 hours or longer.
    • Event Recorder – This portable ECG can be activated when a patient experiences symptoms of a fast heart rate. It is intended to monitor heart activity over a few weeks or months.
    • Blood Tests
    • Chest X-Ray
    • Stress Testing- To evaluate blood flow to the heart, can help determine if the cardiomyopathy is ischemic or non-ischemic.
    • Cardiac MRI- detailed imaging of the heart structure and function, including how your blood moves.
    • Echocardiogram- Ultrasound to evaluate heart structure and function in real time.
    • Cardiac PET- Detailed imaging test that uses a radioactive tracer to look for disease or poor blood flow. 
    The goals of cardiomyopathy treatment are to manage your signs and symptoms, prevent your condition from worsening, and reduce your risk of complications. Treatment varies by which type of cardiomyopathy you have.