Who Is At Risk for Cardiomyopathy?
Populations Affected
People of all ages can develop cardiomyopathy, but
certain cardiomyopathies are more common in certain groups:
- African Americans are more likely to have dilated
cardiomyopathy compared to Caucasians.
- Men are more likely to have dilated
cardiomyopathy compared to women.
- Teens and young adults are more likely to have
arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia compared to older people.
Major Risk Factors
Major risk factors for developing cardiomyopathy
include:
- Having a family history of cardiomyopathy,
heart
failure, or sudden cardiac death
- Having a disease or condition that can lead to
cardiomyopathy, such as:
- Diseases that can damage the heart (for example,
hemochromatosis,
sarcoidosis,
or amyloidosis)
- Long-term alcoholism
- Long-term
high
blood pressure
- Diabetes and other metabolic diseases
Some people with cardiomyopathy never have symptoms.
That is why it's important to identify people who may be at high risk for this
disease so that potential problems (such as serious
arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death) can be
prevented. |