Cardiomyopathy

Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute offers many cardiomyopathy treatments. We have a dedicated heart failure team that works with cardiomyopathy patients. We also coordinate with any other specialists involved in your care. Our experts treat all types of cardiomyopathy, including the rarer types of cardiomyopathy in children and pregnant women.

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Datasource: Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy

What Is Cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy causes your heart muscle to enlarge, thicken or grow rigid. These changes in your heart can weaken it. A weakening heart has a harder time pumping blood. Its weakness can lead to arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), heart valve problems or heart failure.

Some people inherit cardiomyopathy. In others, it develops with age or because of related heart conditions.

Types of Cardiomyopathy

There are three main types of cardiomyopathy in adults:

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM): DCM is the most common type of cardiomyopathy in adults. It usually affects adults ages 20-60. The heart muscle becomes weak, and the chambers enlarge. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough blood out to the body. About one-third of people with DCM have inherited it from a parent.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): With HCM, the heart muscle thickens, making it harder for blood to leave the heart and harder for the heart to fill with blood. This condition is associated with severe arrhythmia and sudden death in young athletes. People may inherit HCM, but high blood pressure and aging are also risk factors.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM): RCM causes the heart muscle to stiffen, which prevents the heart chambers from properly filling with blood. RCM can be associated with systemic diseases that affect other organs.

Adults also may experience other, less common types of cardiomyopathy, including cardiomyopathy linked to pregnancy. Learn more about cardiac-related high-risk pregnancy.

Cardiomyopathy can also affect children. Learn more about pediatric cardiomyopathy.

How Memorial Treats Cardiomyopathy

People living with cardiomyopathy often need complex treatment. We have specialized experience in treating cardiomyopathy. Memorial offers:

Full range of care: We can diagnose and treat all types of cardiomyopathy, as well as treat cardiomyopathy and resulting conditions such as heart failure, heart valve disease and arrhythmia. Our TotalHeart approach means we're equipped to provide a range of cardiac services, including:
- Heart transplant: For people with severe cardiomyopathy and heart failure, heart transplant may be an option. Learn more about heart transplant at Memorial.
- Ventricular assist device (VAD): An implanted device, VAD can help support a weakening heart. It also acts as a bridge to heart transplant to help people while they wait for a new heart. Learn more about VAD at Memorial.
Patient- and family-centered care: It’s stressful to feel tired and short of breath because of cardiomyopathy. Our robust and diverse heart team rallies around patients, keeping you at the center. We coordinate your specialist care so you can focus on your health.
Treatment for all ages: We treat adults and children for cardiomyopathy. We can provide lifelong support through our adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) program. In fact, we were the first program in South Florida to earn the designation of Comprehensive Care Center for ACHD.