Cardiomyopathies
Cardiomyopathies are diseases of the heart muscle in which the actual muscle cells and surrounding tissues are sick. The heart muscle can become abnormally large, thick or stiff. It may affect only the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles) or both the lower and upper chambers (atria).
Cardiologists group cardiomyopathy into five categories:
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease where the heart muscle is too stretched out and does not contract and squeeze effectively.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease where…
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare disease where the heart muscle becomes rigid or stiff. This makes it difficult for the ventricles to relax and properly fill with blood.
Left Ventricular Non-Compaction (LVNC) is a disease where the left ventricular muscle on echocardiogram appears soft and spongy, instead of looking smooth and compact.
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD) is a disease where…