What Is Cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy (KAR-de-o-mi-OP-a-the) refers to
diseases of the heart muscle. These diseases have a variety of causes,
symptoms, and treatments. In cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle becomes enlarged
or abnormally thick or rigid. In rare cases, the muscle tissue in the heart is
replaced with scar tissue.
As cardiomyopathy progresses, the heart becomes
weaker and less able to pump blood through the body. This can lead to
heart
failure,
arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs; abnormal heart rhythms), fluid
buildup in the lungs or legs, and, more rarely,
endocarditis (a bacterial infection of the lining of the
heart). The weakening of the heart also can lead to other severe
complications.
The four main types of cardiomyopathy are:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Hypertrophic (hi-per-TROF-ik) cardiomyopathy
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmogenic (a-rith-mo-JEN-ik) right
ventricular dysplasia (ARVD)
Cardiomyopathy can have a specific cause, such as
damage to the heart from a
heart
attack,
high
blood pressure, or a viral infection. Some types of cardiomyopathy are
caused by a gene mutation and run in families. In many cases, the cause is
unknown.
Cardiomyopathy can affect people of all ages, from
babies to older adults. However, certain age groups are more likely to have
certain types of cardiomyopathy. Treatment may involve medicines, surgery,
nonsurgical procedures, and lifestyle changes.
Outlook
Some people live long, healthy lives in spite of
having cardiomyopathy. Some people don't even realize that they have the
disease because they have no symptoms. In other people, the disease develops
rapidly, symptoms are severe, and serious complications develop. Current
treatments can reduce symptoms and complications of cardiomyopathy.
August 2006
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