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Cardiomyopathy

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Cardiomyopathy

Definition:

Cardiomyopathy is a weakening of the heart muscle or a change in heart muscle structure. It is often associated with inadequate heart pumping or other heart function abnormalities.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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

Specific types of cardiomyopathy include:

• Ischemic cardiomyopathy: This is caused by 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 there is of developing 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 ventricle muscle. Sometimes, the right ventricle is also affected. In up to 70% of cases, there is a family history of this condition.
• Alcoholic cardiomyopathy: This is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy that usually begins about 10 years after sustained, heavy alcohol consumption. It can occur with both typical signs of heart failure, as well as with atrial fibrillation or other heart rhythm problems.
• 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 (when the heart muscle is relaxing between contractions) 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.

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