Cardiomyopathy is when the heart muscle becomes weak and enlarged. This makes it hard for the heart to pump blood through the body.
Cardiomyopathy (KAR-dee-oh-my-OP-ah-thee) is a serious disease. Treatments can help with the symptoms and sometimes stop it from getting worse, but usually there's no cure.
Cardiomyopathy weakens the heart muscle, or myocardium (my-oh-KAR-dee-um). This can lead to heart failure, which means the heart can’t pump blood the way it should. If the blood gets backed up (“congested”) in the heart, it is called congestive heart failure (CHF). It leads to swelling in the legs and ankles (edema) and fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
Cardiomyopathy also can lead to a life-threatening arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat), heart valve problems, and blood clots.
The main types of cardiomyopathy are:
All types happen because the heart muscle changes. But their symptoms, treatments, and outlooks are different.
Some people with cardiomyopathy don’t have any symptoms. Others only notice signs when the condition gets worse.
Cardiomyopathy symptoms get worse over time. If heart failure develops, these can include:
Other symptoms can include heart palpitations; and dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
Usually, doctors don’t find the cause of a person’s cardiomyopathy. This is called idiopathic cardiomyopathy.
Things that can cause the condition include:
People of any age can have cardiomyopathy. Some types run in families. When someone is diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, their close family members might need to get tests to see if they also have it.
How doctors diagnose cardiomyopathy depends on which type a child has. Sometimes the problem is found early when a child develops a heart murmur.
Tests to check for cardiomyopathy include:
Depending on the type of cardiomyopathy and how sick a child is, treatment may include:
Some kids will need care in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
If medicines don't work after a long time, a heart transplant is often the best option for treating heart failure due to cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is the most common reason for heart transplants in children and teens.
Although cardiomyopathy is a chronic (ongoing) condition. But with the help of a cardiology care team, many children can find a way to be active and live a full life.
To help your child get the best care possible:
If your child has a long-term heart condition, it can feel overwhelming. But you're not alone. To find support, talk to anyone on the care team. Resources are available to help you and your child. You can also find help and support online at:
Reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD
Date Reviewed: 01-06-2021
