What Is Cardiomyopathy in Adults?

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Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle. These diseases have many causes, signs and symptoms as well as treatments. In most cases, cardiomyopathy causes the heart muscle to become enlarged, thick or rigid. In rare instances, diseased heart muscle tissue is replaced with scar tissue.

As cardiomyopathy worsens, the heart becomes weaker. The heart becomes less able to pump blood throughout the body and incapable of maintaining a normal electrical rhythm. The result can be heart failure or irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias. A weakened heart also can cause other complications, such as heart valve problems.

Overview

The main types of cardiomyopathy are:

Some other types of cardiomyopathy are called “unclassified cardiomyopathy.” Yet another type is “stress-induced cardiomyopathy,” also known as broken heart syndrome.

Cardiomyopathy can be “acquired,” meaning it develops because of another disease, condition or factor. Or, cardiomyopathy can be “inherited,” meaning the gene for the disease was passed on from a parent.

In many cases, the cause of cardiomyopathy isn’t known. This is often the case when the disease occurs in children.

Cardiomyopathy can affect all ages, although certain age groups are more likely to have certain types of cardiomyopathy.

Approaches to treatment

Some cases of cardiomyopathy have no signs or symptoms, and need no treatment. But in other cases, cardiomyopathy develops quickly with severe symptoms, and serious complications occur. Treatment is required in these instances.

Treatments include lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, implanted devices to correct arrhythmias and other nonsurgical procedures. These treatments can control symptoms, reduce complications and prevent the disease from worsening.

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Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last Reviewed: Mar 31, 2016