A disorder of heart muscle structure and function can increase the risk of heart failure and rhythm problems.
When to seek emergency care
If any of the following signs occur, call *3003 immediately — do not wait for a routine appointment:
- Fainting
- Palpitations or chest pain with a family history of sudden death
- Shortness of breath at rest
- Rapidly increasing swelling
- Severe rhythm disturbance
What is it?
Causes may be genetic, inflammatory, toxic, metabolic or unknown. In some patients, evaluation of family members is also important.
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Leg swelling
- Sometimes no symptoms
Causes & risk factors
- Family genetic predisposition
- Previous myocarditis
- Long-standing high blood pressure
- Alcohol or toxic exposure
- Certain medications
- Metabolic disease
Diagnosis
Diagnosis should not rely on one test alone. Symptoms, risk factors, physical examination and investigation results are interpreted together.
- Echocardiography
- ECG
- Holter monitoring
- Cardiac MRI
- Blood tests
- Genetic consultation in selected cases
Treatment approaches
Treatment is individualized according to severity, overall health, accompanying conditions, procedure risk and patient priorities.
- Heart failure therapy
- Rhythm control
- Individualized exercise guidance
- Device therapy in selected cases
- Family screening when appropriate
How we help
Cardiomyopathy is assessed with echocardiography, ECG, Holter monitoring and clinical risk review. Rhythm risk, heart failure and possible coronary causes are evaluated separately.
When a procedure may be needed
Additional procedures may be needed when rhythm risk is high, pumping function is severely reduced, coronary disease is suspected, or device therapy is indicated.
Patient checklist
- Share detailed family history
- Record fainting episodes
- Discuss exercise limits with a physician
- Keep echo and Holter results
FAQ
Can cardiomyopathy be inherited?
Yes. Some forms are familial, and relatives may need assessment.
Is sport forbidden in cardiomyopathy?
Not always. Exercise advice must be individualized according to disease type and risk.
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