How Can Cardiomyopathy Be Prevented?

You can't prevent inherited types of cardiomyopathy. However, you can take steps to lower your risk for conditions that may lead to or complicate cardiomyopathy, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and heart attack.

Your doctor may advise you to make lifestyle changes, such as:

• Following a healthy diet and doing physical activity. (For more information, see "How Is Cardiomyopathy Treated?")
• Quitting smoking.
• Avoiding the use of alcohol and illegal drugs.

Your cardiomyopathy may be due to an underlying disease or condition. If you treat that condition early enough, you may be able to prevent cardiomyopathy complications. For example, to control high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes:

• Get regular checkups with your doctor.
• Follow your doctor's advice about lifestyle changes.
• Take all of your medicines as your doctor prescribes.

It may be possible to prevent sudden cardiac arrest if doctors can identify a person at high risk for this condition and treat him or her with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.