Cardiomyopathy

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Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart muscle and the way it pumps. It may occur as a result of damage to the heart, such as from a heart attack, or a person may inherit the tendency to develop cardiomyopathy.

In dilated cardiomyopathy, the chambers of the heart enlarge and weaken.
In restrictive cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle gets stiff.
In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle thickens and cannot relax properly.

When the heart muscle is not pumping normally, the rest of the body may not get enough blood, oxygen, or nutrients (heart failure). These changes in the heart muscle can lead to atrial fibrillation (a type of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat) or to other heart problems.

Treatment for cardiomyopathy depends on the type of heart problems that occur as a result of the changes in the heart muscle.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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