Committed to Care
Cardiovascular diseases
Cardiomyopathies
Diseases involving the heart muscle itself.
What is it
Cardiomyopathies are a group of different diseases that affect the structure and/or function of the myocardium.
They are not a single disease and their importance varies significantly depending on the type and the specific patient.
How they may appear
Some people have no symptoms.
Others may experience:
- shortness of breath
- reduced endurance
- chest pain or discomfort
- palpitations
- dizziness or fainting.
Why family history matters
Some cardiomyopathies may have a genetic basis.
Therefore, when there is confirmed cardiomyopathy or a family history of it, targeted evaluation of relatives may also be needed.
How is the evaluation done?
Depending on the case, they may be used:
- ECG
- Echocardiogram
- ECG Holter monitoring
- cardiac MRI
- genetic counseling or screening in selected cases.
How are they tracked?
Monitoring is individualized according to the type of cardiomyopathy, symptoms, imaging findings, and risk of arrhythmias.