Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy

Gross pathology of idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle, where the heart muscle becomes enlarged, thick, or rigid. In rare cases, the muscle tissue in the heart is replaced with scar tissue. As cardiomyopathy worsens, the heart becomes weaker and less able to pump blood through the body and maintain a normal electrical rhythm. This can lead to heart failure or irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias.

Types of Cardiomyopathy

There are several types of cardiomyopathy, each with different causes and characteristics.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Diagram showing types of cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form and occurs when the heart's main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, becomes enlarged (dilated) and cannot effectively pump blood out of the heart. This can lead to heart failure and arrhythmias.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Histological section of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, particularly affecting the septum between the ventricles. This thickening can obstruct blood flow and cause the heart to work harder to pump blood. HCM is often genetic and can lead to sudden cardiac death, especially in young athletes.

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the least common type and occurs when the heart muscle becomes rigid and less elastic, preventing the heart from expanding properly and filling with blood between heartbeats. This can lead to heart failure and arrhythmias.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare type of cardiomyopathy that occurs when the muscle tissue in the right ventricle is replaced by scar tissue, leading to arrhythmias and heart failure.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cardiomyopathy can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet
• Irregular heartbeats
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cardiomyopathy typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests such as:

• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Blood tests

Treatment

Treatment for cardiomyopathy depends on the type and severity of the condition and may include:

• Medications to manage symptoms and prevent complications
• Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise
• Surgical procedures, including implantable devices like pacemakers or defibrillators
• Heart transplant in severe cases

Complications

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Ventricular fibrillation, a potential complication of cardiomyopathy.

Complications of cardiomyopathy can include:

• Heart failure
• Blood clots
• Valve problems
• Cardiac arrest and sudden death

Related Pages

• Heart failure
• Arrhythmia
• Heart transplant
• Echocardiography