What is cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy describes any disorder that affects the heart muscle, causing the heart to lose its ability to pump blood effectively.
In some instances, the heart rhythm is also affected and leads to arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
There are many cardiomyopathy causes, including viral infections and certain medications. Often, the exact cause of cardiomyopathy is never found.
Some of the most common cardiomyopathies we treat
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
Cardiomyopathy treatment
Cardiomyopathy may require monitoring and treatment from a cardiologist, as well as a heart surgeon. Your Baylor Scott & White Health team will outline a treatment plan to help you manage cardiomyopathy and prevent it from getting worse.
Treatment plans for patients will be determined by their care team based on age, medical history, type and stage of cardiomyopathy and personal preferences. Cardiomyopathy treatment options may include:
- Medicine
- Lifestyle changes (stop smoking and lose weight)
- Surgery
- Pain management
- Clinical trials (when appropriate)