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Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle which affects its size, shape or thickness. Common cardiomyopathies include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy can be caused by other heart and circulatory conditions (acquired cardiomyopathy), but it can also be inherited. This means a faulty gene can be passed down through families. Some family members may be affected more than others and some may not be affected or have any symptoms.

What are the symptoms of cardiomyopathy?

Some people don't notice many symptoms or symptoms might be mild. However, others might get symptoms that worsen as time goes on.

Symptoms of cardiomyopathy can include:

  • feeling out of breath
  • feeling lightheaded or faint
  • swollen abdomen, legs and/or feet
  • an abnormal heart rhythm
  • a heavy chest or chest pain

Symptoms are usually much improved with treatment.

If you have any of the above symptoms you should make an appointment with your GP to check if you have any health issues. If you have difficulty breathing or have intense chest pain, call 999 immediately.

Types of cardiomyopathy

There are three main types of cardiomyopathy, which are usually inherited:

Another type of cardiomyopathy known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, can be caused by emotional and physical stress. This type is not passed on through families and often gets better in a few weeks.

Other, specialised types of cardiomyopathy include:

  • restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM)
  • peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM)

You can find more information about these conditions on Cardiomyopathy UK’s website.

What causes cardiomyopathy?

Some people get cardiomyopathy due to another condition or risk factor they have, but for many the cause can’t be found.

Some things that can lead to cardiomyopathy include:

Can you recover from cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy can't be cured but with treatment, symptoms can be improved and many people continue to lead a full and active lives.

Lower the symptoms and reduce further heart failure by:

  • reducing your alcohol intake or swapping for healthier options – try lemon and mint in sparkling water
  • controlling high blood pressure by reducing salt and eating healthier foods like lean meats and grilled veg
  • lowering your cholesterol by swapping saturated fats (takeaways, dairy, biscuits) for unsaturated fats (olive oil, avocados, nuts)
  • get regular exercise – try a half hour walk every day and take the stairs instead of lifts
  • work on lowering stress – meditation and taking time out when you need can really help

What does cardiomyopathy do to the heart?

The changes to your heart are different for each type of cardiomyopathy and can affect people differently. They all affect the structure of your heart and reduce its ability to pump blood around the body. They can also affect the way the electrical system makes your heart beat.

Watch Deb's story on living with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Treatments for cardiomyopathy

Although inherited cardiomyopathy cannot be cured, in most cases living with it will not affect your quality or length of life. There are many effective treatments that can help you control your symptoms such as:

Your GP or cardiologist will be able to let you know what treatments are right for you. You may also need to make some lifestyle changes such as cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink.

A small number of people with cardiomyopathy do experience significant symptoms which affect their life and their family’s lives. In some cases, there is a small risk of sudden arrhythmic death (SADS). It's important to discuss this risk with your doctor. They may offer medication or advise that you need an ICD fitted if you are at an increased risk.

Testing for inherited heart conditions

Because cardiomyopathies can be inherited, you should speak to your doctor about screening for you and your family. It’s important that families affected by cardiomyopathy receive accurate assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support from specialists.

You can also talk to one of our cardiac nurses about screening for you and your family on our Genetic Information Service. Lines are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (charged at a similar rate to 01 or 02 calls).

Last updated May 2021

Next update due May 2024

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Affecting around 30 million people across the world, genetic cardiomyopathies devastate families everywhere. In 2021, we awarded our biggest ever research grant to CureHeart, an international team working towards the world’s first cure. Find out how the CureHeart team are harnessing cutting edge technologies to make a transformative advancement. 

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