Key Points

• Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle. These diseases have a variety of causes, symptoms, and treatments.
• In cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle becomes enlarged, thick, or rigid. In rare cases, the muscle tissue in the heart is replaced with scar tissue.
• As cardiomyopathy worsens, the heart muscle becomes weaker. It's less able to pump blood through the body and maintain a normal electrical rhythm. This can lead to heart failure or arrhythmia. The weakening of the heart also can cause other severe complications, such as heart valve problems.
• The four main types of cardiomyopathy are dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). The different types of the disease have different causes, signs and symptoms, and outcomes.
• Cardiomyopathy can be acquired or inherited. Many times, the cause of the disease isn't known. This is often the case when the disease occurs in children.
• People of all ages can have cardiomyopathy. However, certain types of the disease are more common in certain groups. Dilated cardiomyopathy is more common in African Americans than in Whites. This type of the disease also is more common in men than women. Teens and young adults are more likely than older people to have ARVD, although it's rare in both groups.
• Some people who have cardiomyopathy never have signs or symptoms. Others don't have signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As cardiomyopathy worsens, signs and symptoms of heart failure usually occur.
• Your doctor will diagnose cardiomyopathy based on your medical history, a physical exam, and the results from tests and procedures.
• Not everyone who has cardiomyopathy needs treatment. People who have no signs or symptoms may not need treatment. For other people who have cardiomyopathy, treatment is needed.
• Treatment depends on the type of cardiomyopathy you have, how severe the symptoms and complications are, and your age and overall health. Treatments may include lifestyle changes, medicines, surgery, implanted devices to correct arrhythmias, and a nonsurgical procedure.
• You can't prevent inherited types of cardiomyopathy. However, you can take steps to lower your risk for conditions that may lead to cardiomyopathy. Make lifestyle changes as your doctor advises, get ongoing care, and take all of your medicines as your doctor prescribes.