From the Guidelines
Cardiomyopathy is defined by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a group of diseases that affect the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. The AHA classifies cardiomyopathies into several types, including dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and unclassified cardiomyopathies, as discussed in a scientific statement from the AHA 1. These conditions can be primary (genetic, mixed, or acquired) or secondary (developing due to other diseases, toxins, or environmental factors). Key aspects of cardiomyopathy definition and classification are:
- The heart muscle is directly affected, leading to impaired heart function
- Classification into distinct types based on the nature of the heart muscle abnormality
- Importance of distinguishing cardiomyopathies from other cardiovascular diseases, such as those caused by high blood pressure, valve problems, congenital heart defects, or coronary artery disease, as emphasized by the AHA 1. Understanding this definition is crucial because proper classification helps guide appropriate treatment strategies and management approaches for patients with heart muscle disease, ultimately impacting morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
From the Research
Definition of Cardiomyopathy
The American Heart Association (AHA) defines cardiomyopathy as a heterogeneous group of diseases that affect the heart muscle, often leading to progressive heart failure with significant morbidity and mortality 2.
Classification of Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy can be classified into primary (genetic, mixed, or acquired) and secondary categories, resulting in varied phenotypes including:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy 3, 4
Characteristics of Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathies are characterized by muscle or electrical dysfunction of the heart, and may be asymptomatic in the early stages 4. Symptoms of cardiomyopathy are similar to those of heart failure and may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Orthopnea
- Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
- Edema 4
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of cardiomyopathy includes electrocardiography, echocardiography, and B-type natriuretic peptide levels 3, 4. Treatment is targeted at relieving symptoms of heart failure and reducing rates of heart failure-related hospitalization and mortality, and may include: