What is cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of your heart muscle, describing a condition when the muscles can become stiff, thickened, or enlarged. Left untreated, cardiomyopathy can worsen, interfering with the heart’s electrical system and damaging its ability to supply blood to the body. The heart muscle may also be replaced with scar tissue, further complicating your health. Cardiomyopathy can lead to other heart disorders, including valve issues, arrhythmias, and heart failure.
Penn Medicine is a national leader in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions, including cardiomyopathy. Our heart specialists provide expert, personalized care at locations throughout the region, making it easier to access the advanced care you need close to home.
Types of cardiomyopathy
There are four main types of cardiomyopathy:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: One out of every 500 people has this type of cardiomyopathy, which occurs when the walls of the ventricles thicken, affecting the heart’s ability to relax and fill with blood. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can affect people of any age. In young people and athletes, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
- Dilated cardiomyopathy: This is the most common type of cardiomyopathy, although men aged 20-60 are more likely than women to develop this condition. This type of cardiomyopathy affects the ventricles and atria, often beginning when the muscle of the left ventricle thins out and stretches, causing the inside chamber to enlarge.
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia: This more rare type of cardiomyopathy occurs when the muscle tissue in the right ventricle is replaced with scar tissue.
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy: Most often seen in older adults, this type of cardiomyopathy begins when the ventricles become stiff and rigid, often as a result of scar tissue replacing the heart’s muscle.
What are the symptoms of cardiomyopathy?
It’s possible you won’t show any symptoms of cardiomyopathy until your disease progresses. Some people may never be symptomatic or need treatment, while others may experience a more rapid decline. You could suffer from any or all of the following:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble breathing, especially with physical exertion
- Swelling in your ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, or veins in your neck
Diagnosis of cardiomyopathy
Diagnosing cardiomyopathy begins with a careful evaluation of your symptoms, medical and family history, and heart function. Penn Medicine specialists use a range of tests and advanced cardiothoracic imaging to identify the type and underlying cause of the disease. For people with suspected inherited cardiomyopathy, we also offer specialized genetic testing and counseling through the Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease.
Treating cardiomyopathy
Treatment for cardiomyopathy depends on its type, underlying cause, symptoms, and how much it affects your heart function. Some people may need only regular monitoring and lifestyle changes, while others may need medications, procedures, or implanted devices to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. For advanced cardiomyopathy and heart failure, Penn Medicine offers specialized expertise in mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation.
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