Expert Diagnosis and Treatment for Cardiomyopathy

Also known as heart muscle disease, cardiomyopathies affect the heart muscle and the way it pumps blood throughout your body. Cardiomyopathy causes enlargement or thickening of the heart muscle and forces it to work harder. Although they are often inherited, cardiomyopathy can also occur because of lifestyle choices or other conditions including:

• Alcohol abuse
• Congenital heart disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Diabetes
• Heart attack
• Heart valve disease
• Hypertension

Types of Cardiomyopathy

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is often inherited and leads to the thickening of the heart muscle, making it difficult for blood to leave the heart.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM): This is the most common type of cardiomyopathy and causes the heart to weaken and the chambers to enlarge. It prevents the heart from being able to pump enough blood out to the body.
• Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: Often inherited and the most common cause of sudden death in young people and athletes, this cardiomyopathy occurs when fatty or scarred tissue replaces normal heart muscle tissue causing irregular heartbeats or rhythms.
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy: In this rare cardiomyopathy, the heart muscles stiffen, and the ventricles of the heart cannot relax and fill with blood between heartbeats as a result.
• Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC): This rare type of cardiomyopathy, the left ventricle muscle is both smooth (normal) and loose like a thick web, which weakens the heart muscle and prevents the heart from pumping enough blood.
• Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome): Developed due to extreme stress, this rare condition causes the heart muscle to stop working properly.
• Peripartum cardiomyopathy: A rare but serious cardiomyopathy that occurs late in pregnancy or a few months after giving birth.

Advanced Imaging for Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis

To confirm you have a cardiomyopathy and identify the specific type, our team of cardiomyopathy specialists use both common and advanced imaging techniques including:

• Blood test: Counts your red and white blood cells as well as your hemoglobin levels and other components of your blood.
• Chest X-ray: Produces images of your heart, lungs, airways and blood vessels.
• Cardiac catheterization: Inserts a thin tube called a catheter into a large blood vessel that leads to your heart to determine how well your heart is working.
• Echocardiogram (Echo): Uses ultrasonic waves to assess your heart’s structure and function.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): Records the electrical activity of your heart over a period of time.
• Stress exercise testing: Determines how your heart functions when the body is under physical stress.

Life-Saving Cardiomyopathy Treatment

If you are diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, we will determine the cause and provide treatments to improve your heart function. Lifestyle changes coupled with medications are usually necessary to treat cardiomyopathy. We may recommend one or more of the following procedures:

• Defibrillator: A defibrillator sends an electrical pulse to put an end to arrhythmias.
• Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG): This surgery is designed to improve blood flow to the weakened heart muscle.
• Implantable artificial heart pumps: Implantable artificial heart pumps may be suggested if your case is severe. An artificial heart pump can restore a failing heart and eliminate the need for heart transplant.
• Pacemaker: A pacemaker helps both sides of the heart beat simultaneously.
• Heart transplant: A heart transplant may be recommended when other treatments have been ineffective.

Genetic Testing and Counseling for Cardiomyopathy

Genetic testing may be an option for you if you have an inherited cardiomyopathy. Our genetic counselors can identify the genes that put your parents, siblings and/or children at risk of the condition. Then, your family members can receive the care they need before any serious symptoms develop.