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Ency. home > Disease > C > Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment

Definition:

Cardiomyopathies are disorders affecting the heart muscle (myocardium). They usually result in inadequate heart pumping.

Causes and Risks

Cardiomyopathy can be caused by viral infections; heart attacks; alcoholism; long-term, severe hypertension (high blood pressure); or for other reasons not yet known.

Specific types of cardiomyopathy include:

  • Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: These are secondary to heart attacks, which leave scars in the heart muscle (myocardium). The affected myocardium is then unable to contribute to the heart pumping function. The larger the scars (or the more numerous the heart attacks), the higher the chance to develop ischemic cardiomyopathy.
  • Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy: The term "idiopathic" means that the cause is unknown. Usually, this term refers to dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy: This is a global, usually idiopathic myocardial disorder characterized by a marked enlargement and inadequate function of the left ventricle. It may affect young people.
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: This is a disproportionate growth of the left muscle ventricle. Sometimes, the right ventricle is also affected. In up to 70% of cases, there is a familial occurrence.
  • Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy: This is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy that usually begins about 10 years after sustained, heavy alcohol consumption. It may present not only with the typical signs of heart failure, but also with atrial fibrillation or other heart rhythm problem.
  • Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: This is a dilated cardiomyopathy appearing in women during the last trimester of pregnancy, or after childbirth.
  • Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: This is a disorder affecting the diastolic function of the heart. The heart cannot relax adequately after each contraction (systole), and thus it cannot be adequately filled with blood. Examples of restrictive cardiomyopathy are amyloidosis and sarcoidosis. Cardiomyopathy is not common but can be severely disabling or fatal. Extreme cardiomyopathy with heart failure may require a heart transplant.

Ency. home > Disease > C > Cardiomyopathy


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