Cardiomyopathy

Any disease of the heart muscle that interferes with the heart’s ability to pump blood with sufficient force is called cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy develops slowly and may produce no symptoms until the later stages, except when caused by viral infections. It is an uncommon disorder, accounting for only 1 percent of heart disease fatalities. But, it is one of the more common causes of serious heart disease in younger people. Coronary artery disease causes cardiomyopathy in the elderly. Treatment may include medications, implantable devices or, in severe cases, a heart transplant depending upon the type of cardiomyopathy.

Cause of the cardiomyopathy is unknown in most cases. However, doctors are able to identify some contributing factors in some people. Possible causes of cardiomyopathy include:

• Long-term high blood pressure
• Heart valve problems
• Previous heart attack
• Chronic rapid heart rate
• Thyroid disease or diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Heavy use of alcohol over many years
• Drug abuse including cocaine or antidepressant medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants
• Chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer
• Genetic conditions
• Overload of iron in your heart muscle (hemochromatosis)