Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a term used to describe a disease of the cardiac muscle. The three main types include:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: The heart muscle gets abnormally thick of the heart muscle
Restrictive cardiomyopathy:The heart muscle gets stiff and/or scarred
Dilated cardiomyopathy: The left ventricle of the heart gets enlarged and weakened

Damage to the heart makes it more challenging for it to efficiently supply blood to other parts of the body. Cardiomyopathy, if left untreated, can result in heart failure and the potential need for a heart transplant.

Causes

Often, the cause of cardiomyopathy is unknown. It may even be inherited in certain cases. Possible causes include:

Complications during pregnancy
Connective tissue disorders
Infections that cause the heart to inflame
Accumulation of proteins that replace normal muscle tissues in the heart (amyloidosis)
Growth of lumps of inflammatory cells in the heart and other important organs, which increase the risk of cardiomyopathy (sarcoidosis)

Signs and symptoms

Cardiomyopathy may not display any signs or symptoms until the condition has progressed, as is the case with many cardiovascular disorders. When they appear, they typically include:

Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Coughing when lying down
Lightheadedness or fainting
Quick, fluttering and thumping heartbeat
Discomfort and pressure in the chest
Swelling in the legs, feet and ankles.
Abdominal bloating caused by an accumulation of fluid

If symptoms are not treated, they typically worsen. Cardiomyopathy can gradually worsen over many years in some situations, while it may progress rapidly in others.

Risk factors

Genetics/Family history
Obesity
Diabetes
Excessive use of alcohol
Use of cocaine or amphetamines
Long-term hypertension
Excessive accumulation of iron in the cardiac muscle (haemochromatosis)
Past heart attacks and/or damage to cardiac tissues

Diagnosis

Physical examination
Evaluation of medical history
Chest X-ray
Treadmill stress test
Echocardiogram
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan
Cardiac catheterisation
Blood tests such as thyroid, kidney and liver function tests as well as iron and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements
Genetic screening or testing

Treatment options

Medicines that assist the heart in pumping blood more efficiently, increase blood flow, and lower blood pressure
Nonsurgical procedures such as radiofrequency ablation and septal ablation
Surgical procedures such as:
1. Surgically implanted devices e.g., pacemaker implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and ventricular assist device (VAD)
2. Surgeries e.g., heart transplant and septal myectomy

Prevention

You can reduce your risk of cardiomyopathy by practising heart-healthy lifestyle habits such as: