Cardiomyopathy

The American Heart Association describes cardiomyopathy as a disease that causes the heart muscle to become enlarged, thick or rigid, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. In rare cases, heart muscle tissue is replaced with scar tissue. Over time, a person with cardiomyopathy may develop an irregular heartbeat, heart valve problems or heart failure. Sometimes there is a risk of sudden death.

There are many causes and symptoms of cardiomyopathy. At Advocate Heart Institute, we specialize in diagnosing and treating all types of cardiomyopathy using the most advanced, minimally invasive technology.

Types of cardiomyopathy

The main types of cardiomyopathy are:

Dilated: This is the most common type of cardiomyopathy. It occurs when the walls of the ventricles (the main pumping chambers of the heart) become enlarged and weak. It can be genetic or caused by certain health conditions or other factors. In many cases, the cause is not known.
Hypertrophic: In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the walls of the ventricles become thick. In some cases, this can restrict blood flow out of the heart. Many people with this condition have a family history. Because there are often no symptoms, there is a risk of sudden cardiac death, especially in young athletes.
Restrictive: Restrictive cardiomyopathy causes the heart muscle to become stiff. It is a rare disease that affects primarily older people.

Signs & symptoms of cardiomyopathy

People with cardiomyopathy may not have any symptoms, especially during the early stages of the disease. According to the American Heart Association, the following cardiomyopathy signs and symptoms may develop over time:

Causes & risks for cardiomyopathy

Doctors don’t always know why cardiomyopathy happens. But there are known risks for developing cardiomyopathy. You may be at a higher risk for cardiomyopathy if you have:

A damaged or abnormal heart, such as from a past heart attack, coronary artery disease or heart infection
A family history of cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac arrest
Diabetes
High blood pressure

Long history of alcohol abuse
Other conditions that affect the heart
Severe obesity

According to the American Heart Association, you can’t prevent inherited types of cardiomyopathy. But you can lower your risk for conditions that may lead to cardiomyopathy, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and heart attack.

Diagnosing cardiomyopathy

Diagnosis begins by analyzing your health history, assessing your symptoms and determining whether there is a history of heart disease in your family. Next, a physical exam evaluates your overall health and your heart and lung function.

Advocate cardiologists use time-tested techniques combined with the latest technologies. We are dedicated to giving you an accurate diagnosis so you and your doctor can confidently choose your next steps.

Testing for cardiomyopathy

Here are some of the testing and diagnostic tools we use for cardiomyopathy:

Blood testing looks for signs that your body may not be functioning well, including your heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) tracks the electrical activity of your heart.
Echocardiogram uses ultrasound waves to produce an image of your heart.
Cardiac CT uses a special type of X-ray to produce images of your heart.
Cardiac MRI uses magnets and radio waves to produce an image of your heart.
Minimally invasive electrophysiology studies detect an irregular heartbeat (using a small wire inserted into a vein in your groin or neck).

Treating cardiomyopathy

Treatment for cardiomyopathy focuses on slowing the disease, easing symptoms and preventing cardiac death. Your treatment plan will depend on the type of cardiomyopathy you have and the cause, if it's known.

In most cases, your doctor will prescribe medication to help control symptoms, such as beta blockers to slow down an abnormal heart rate and treat high blood pressure, or diuretics to help your body remove excess fluid and sodium.

The doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, eating healthier, losing weight and quitting smoking. You may also need to control other diseases or conditions that contribute to cardiomyopathy.

Procedures and devices to treat cardiomyopathy

Some patients with cardiomyopathy may require surgical procedures, implanted devices or advanced care. Some procedures and implanted devices for cardiomyopathy include:

Minimally invasive procedures, using the most advanced techniques available to clear blockages, such as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and cardiac catheterization for angioplasty and stenting
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker implant to help your heart maintain a regular heart rhythm
Ventricular assist devices (VADs), implanted devices that support your heart’s pumping action
Heart valve repair and replacement, using minimally invasive procedures so you’ll have less discomfort and spend less time in the hospital
Heart transplant, replacing the abnormal heart with a healthier one