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Diseases of the heart muscle are generally referred to as cardiomyopathy. With cardiomyopathy, the heart has a hard time pumping blood. The three main types of cardiomyopathy are:
Dignity Health offers excellence in care for all types of cardiomyopathy in the Bay Area. If you would like to learn more about treatment options, Find a Doctor online at Dignity Health.
Some people never notice any symptoms of cardiomyopathy, especially in its earliest stages. However, as the disease progresses, most people start to experience some symptoms of heart failure.
Symptoms of cardiomyopathy include:
Call 9-1-1 for emergency medical assistance if you experience severe chest pain, fainting, or difficulty breathing.
The cause of cardiomyopathy varies by the type.
The cause of dilated cardiomyopathy is often unknown. About one-third of people inherit it from a parent. Conditions and lifestyle factors that can cause it include:
Most people inherit hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from a parent. However, like dilated cardiomyopathy, sometimes the cause isn’t known and other conditions and lifestyle factors can cause it.
The cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy is another disease, condition, or medical treatment including:
It is important for your doctor to determine whether your cardiomyopathy is a component of a larger (systemic) medical problem or if it is restricted to your heart. In order to accurately diagnose cardiomyopathy, your doctor will review your medical and health history and risk factors, and perform a physical exam. In addition, you will need one or more of the following tests:
Your doctors at Dignity Health are dedicated to serving every patient with respect and humankindness, treating the whole person and not just the condition. Your treatment will depend on the type and severity of the cardiomyopathy. Some people without symptoms do not need treatment. When it’s necessary, your treatment plan may involve lifestyle changes, medications, medical procedures, or surgery.
Treatment goals include:
You can trust the cardiac care team at Dignity Health to deliver excellence in treatment and care.
Dignity Health offers advanced diagnostic testing and expert treatment of cardiomyopathy in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Redwood City.