What Is Cardiomyopathy?
1. Types
There are four primary types of cardiomyopathy: arrhythmogenic, restrictive, dilated and hypertrophic. Each category describes the primary heart condition that is causing the disease. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is comprised of diseases that lead to an irregular heartbeat. These diseases are found most often in men and are typically inherited. The remaining three classes indicate the condition of the heart.
Restrictive diseases present heart muscles that are stiff or scarred. It is the least common type. An individual who has a dilated cardiomyopathy disease has a heart with enlarged chambers. Males are more likely to have this condition,
and it is the type most frequently found in children. It can be inherited, but it doesn’t have to be. A thickened heart wall is the defining characteristic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It is frequently inherited and shows up in childhood or the early adult years. It can lead to sudden death without prior symptoms.
