Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle that affect how effectively it can pump blood around your body.

You're in the best hands with our expert cardiologists, who can offer accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for all types of cardiomyopathy.

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What symptoms are associated with cardiomyopathy?

Some people with cardiomyopathy may never experience or notice symptoms. In other cases, symptoms emerge as the condition develops. The common signs to look out for include:

Shortness of breath while resting or during activity
Extreme tiredness or fatigue, even after plenty of rest
Swelling of the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen
Dizziness
Fainting
Chest pain or heaviness
Heart palpitations

These symptoms can get worse over time without treatment.

When to see a doctor with cardiomyopathy symptoms

The symptoms of cardiomyopathy disease can also be associated with a range of other heart conditions, so it's recommended you see a doctor as soon as you can if you're experiencing any of the above. They can review your symptoms, refer you for any necessary testing and recommend treatment for cardiomyopathy if that's the diagnosis.

We offer a private GP service across our network of private hospitals and clinics, providing same-day appointments to give you some much-needed reassurance. Alternatively, you can arrange a consultation with one of our cardiomyopathy specialists. You're in the best hands with us.

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When to call emergency services

Knowing when to call emergency services can help to save lives. Call 999 immediately if you or someone else experiences any of the following symptoms:

Loss of consciousness
Intense chest pain lasting for more than a few minutes
Severe breathing difficulties

HCA UK: Ranked #1 for private cardiac care

The best at what we do: We’re the UK's leading cardiac care provider by quality and volume, caring for over 26,000 patients each year. 99% of people we've assisted would recommend our services to friends and family.
Access to rapid cardiomyopathy testing: We understand how worrying it can be to have symptoms. That's why we'll confirm diagnostic testing for cardiomyopathy within 24 hours of you requesting an appointment. The results will then be sent within 48 hours.
Expert-led care: Our consultants have industry-leading experience and expertise. Once testing is complete, your cardiomyopathy specialist will give you an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment. They’re supported by subspeciality multidisciplinary teams to ensure you receive the best possible care for cardiomyopathy and other related conditions.
Exceptional private facilities: Expect nothing but the latest diagnostic equipment and a comprehensive range of cardiomyopathy treatment options at HCA UK's private facilities.
Expert genetic facilities: Cardiomyopathies are often genetic and our family screening and genetic testing can prove very helpful.

What is cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is the general term used for various diseases of the heart muscle. These conditions change the structure of your heart, impacting its ability to pump blood around the body.

Some cardiomyopathy diseases stretch the walls of your heart chambers, making them thinner, while others cause them to thicken or stiffen. These changes make it more difficult for the muscle to effectively pump blood, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain and swelling in the lower body. Cardiomyopathy can also disrupt the rhythm of your heart, causing cardiac arrhythmia.

Cardiomyopathy conditions can remain stable quite often but sometimes they can worsen over time, although treatment often helps to slow degeneration. Weakening of the heart muscles can eventually lead to heart failure but also increases your risk of other serious conditions such as blood clots and cardiac arrests. However, some cases of cardiomyopathy need no treatment.

According to Cardiomyopathy UK, around 1 in 250 people are affected by heart muscle diseases.

If you're worried that you might have cardiomyopathy, rest assured you've got access to the best cardiac care with HCA UK. We provide rapid testing to get to the bottom of your symptoms and the most effective treatments for cardiomyopathy if you're diagnosed with it.

What causes cardiomyopathy?

The cause of cardiomyopathy isn't always clear or identifiable. However, most heart muscle diseases are either inherited or acquired. Inherited cardiomyopathy is caused by a gene passed down from parent to child, whereas acquired cardiomyopathy is linked to another heart condition or risk factor.

Who's at risk of cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is defined as an abnormality of the heart muscle not due to coronary artery disease, valve disease or high blood pressure. It can affect people of all ages but some are more vulnerable to certain types than others depending on various risk factors. There's usually a higher risk of developing cardiomyopathy disease if you have any of the following conditions:

Cardiac arrhythmia
Heart inflammation (caused by infection or injury)
Amyloidosis
Haemochromatosis
Muscular dystrophy
Diabetes
A family history of cardiomyopathy or unexplained sudden death

Cardiomyopathy risk factors

Other risk factors can also increase your chances of developing cardiomyopathy, including:

Family history of heart failure or sudden cardiac arrests
Excessive use of recreational drugs
Excessive drinking of alcohol
Obesity
Nutritional deficiencies
Pregnancy
Highly stressful and traumatic experiences (such as bereavement or car accidents)
Chemotherapy to treat cancer and other forms of radiation

Experts in cardiomyopathy diagnosis and treatment

Over 26,000 patients trust us with their heart care each year, making us the #1 private provider. Our expert cardiologists and their multidisciplinary cardiac teams see and treat issues such as cardiomyopathy day in and day out.

If you're at greater risk of cardiomyopathy disease, have been experiencing symptoms or just want to check your general heart health, we offer advanced testing, diagnostic and treatment options for all types of the condition.

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What are the types of cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy diseases differ depending on how they change the structure of the heart muscle.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

This is the most common type of heart muscle disease. Dilated cardiomyopathy develops when the muscles of your left ventricle (one of the chambers in the heart) stretch and become thinner.

The increase in volume in the chamber combined with the weakening of the muscles means your heart is less capable of contracting with enough force to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body.

Dilated cardiomyopathy can affect adults and children but it's more likely to develop in men under the age of 50. It can be inherited or develop as a result of other conditions and is likely to put you at greater risk of heart failure.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

With this form of cardiomyopathy, the walls of your heart chambers thicken and the flow of blood through the heart may be obstructed.

The reduction in the size of your heart chambers limits the amount of blood they can hold, affecting how much is pumped around your body. As the muscles thicken, they may not be able to relax properly after contracting, which causes them to stiffen.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can affect all ages and is most commonly inherited from family. Sometimes the condition doesn't produce any symptoms and treatment isn't needed. However, some cases lead to more serious complications such as heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia and heart valve disease.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM)

The cells of the heart muscle are joined by proteins. If these are abnormal, they can die and be replaced by scar tissue or fat, which leads to arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. This can happen in the left or right ventricle (the latter referred to as ARVC), and is often associated with significant scarring in the heart.

With arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, the walls of your heart chambers are weakened or stretched, which makes it harder to pump sufficient amounts of blood around the body. People with this particular condition are much more likely to have heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia).

This cardiomyopathy disease tends to be more common in younger people, although it affects all ages, and is often linked to sudden cardiac events during exercising.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM)

This is a rare form of cardiomyopathy, more likely to be diagnosed in children although it can affect people of all ages. The muscles of the heart chambers stiffen and become less flexible, meaning they can't relax fully after contracting and don't fill up with blood as much as they should.

The cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy can be difficult to find but it may be a consequence of another condition affecting the heart or be inherited genetically.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Also referred to as 'broken heart syndrome', this rare form of cardiomyopathy is unique in that it emerges after people experience extremely stressful or traumatic events.

It's a temporary heart muscle condition where the left ventricle changes shape and is weakened in response to particular hormones, such as adrenaline, released with stress responses. It's more likely to occur in women but is reversible with treatment and usually leaves no lasting damage.

How is cardiomyopathy diagnosed?

If a doctor suspects you have cardiomyopathy, they'll use one or more of several methods to provide an accurate diagnosis. Common approaches include:

A consultation and physical exam: Your consultant will ask about your general health, symptoms and any risk factors present. They'll also consider any family history of cardiomyopathy or other cardiovascular conditions. A physical examination, listening to your heart and lungs, and measuring your blood pressure and pulse can detect any initial signs of heart muscle disease.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) tests: By taking a closer look at your heart rate and rhythm, ECG tests identify any abnormalities in the way your heart is functioning. They can also detect any damage to the heart muscle. There are a few types of ECG that may be required, including normal, exercise and ambulatory/24-hour ECGs.
Echocardiogram tests: These tests use sound waves to create visual images of your heart and its chambers while beating. With this insight, you can see how the muscles are functioning as well as their size, shape and thickness. Fluid build-up and any valve issues can also be identified.
Imaging tests: Other imaging tests can provide more comprehensive insight into any cardiomyopathy symptoms. Cardiac MRI and CT scans can generate more detailed images of your heart muscle and its structure, as well as any inflammation, scar tissue or obstructions.
Blood tests: Analysis of your blood may also be required to check how your body's major organs are functioning and check iron levels. Certain proteins can become more prevalent as symptoms of cardiomyopathy or heart failure emerge.
Genetic tests: Cardiomyopathy can be an inherited disease. Genetic testing conducted in our state-of-the-art cardiac genetics lab can help to understand more about your condition and potentially inform your treatment.
Cardiac Biopsy: In very rare cases, a biopsy of your heart may be taken – usually through a catheter inserted in your groin – and sent for analysis. The pressure in your heart chambers can also be measured with the same procedure.

These diagnostic tests aren't just used if you’re having symptoms. If you're at a higher risk or keen to check your heart health, these methods can give you and your consultant further insight.

Trust HCA to provide an accurate cardiomyopathy diagnosis

If you've been having symptoms or think you're at a higher risk of cardiomyopathy, we can help provide an accurate diagnosis with our advanced tests and scans.

After a consultation with one of our expert cardiologists, they'll recommend the best approach to explore the causes of your symptoms and provide an accurate diagnosis. You're in good hands with our experienced cardiac care team, who care for over 25,000 patients every year.

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Cardiomyopathy treatment options

There's generally no cure for cardiomyopathy and inherited forms of the disease cannot be prevented. However, the right treatments and lifestyle changes can help to avoid or manage symptoms and reduce the risk of further complications. Some people don't need treatment for cardiomyopathy.

Lifestyle changes

Changes to your lifestyle can help manage cardiomyopathy symptoms and slow progression or reduce the risk of developing the condition. It generally helps to:

Exercise regularly (but gently, if you're at greater risk during activity)
Reduce stress levels
Get enough sleep
Eat a healthy and balanced diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid smoking
Avoid recreational drugs
Avoid or reduce your consumption of alcohol
Manage any underlying conditions (such as diabetes)

Cardiomyopathy medications

Treatment for cardiomyopathy may start with a combination of medications to lower the risks associated with high blood pressure, abnormal heart rate or rhythm, excess fluid build-up and blood clotting. These should help your heart to function more normally and improve blood flow around your body.

Your consultant may prescribe:

Blood thinners: Medically known as 'anticoagulants', medicines such as warfarin help to reduce the chances of blood clots forming in your arteries, veins and major organs. They're most commonly used for dilated cardiomyopathy treatment, where the risk of blood clots is higher.
ACE inhibitors: These medications relax blood vessels to reduce your blood pressure. You might be given enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril or another type of ACE inhibitor.
Beta-blockers: Medicines such as atenolol and bisoprolol can reduce your heart rate to help lower your blood pressure. They can also treat irregularities in your heartbeat and the symptoms of heart failure.
Diuretics: Medications such as furosemide help your body release excess salt and water, which can relieve symptoms such as swelling and reduce the workload on your heart.
Antiarrhythmics: Medications including amiodarone work to correct or prevent abnormal heart rhythms by stabilising its electrical activity.
Specific tailored treatments: Such as mavacamtem for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which improves blood flow and alleviates symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain.

Surgical and non-surgical procedures for cardiomyopathy

In more urgent cases of cardiomyopathy, procedures may be used to provide relief for the heart and prevent further complications.

Cardioversion or ablation: If you have heart rate or rhythm issues because of cardiomyopathy disease, you may require a procedure to correct the abnormalities. Cardioversion sends electrical signals to your heart through electrodes placed on your chest, while ablation burns or freezes certain areas of heart tissue that are causing the irregularities.
Septal ablation or myectomy: For those with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, treatment may be needed to reduce the size of the wall that divides the left and right side of the heart (septum). A septal ablation uses alcohol to shrink a small part of the septum, while a myectomy involves the surgical removal of some of the enlarged muscle.
Heart transplants: This is a last resort if other treatments for cardiomyopathy haven't been effective.

Medical device implants

In some cases, you may need a small device implanted in your chest to manage arrhythmias and assist heart function. These can include:

Pacemakers: These devices control your heart rate by sending electrical signals. A pacemaker is usually implanted under the skin in a procedure done under local anaesthetic.
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD): If you have an irregular heart rhythm, ICDs track your heart rhythm and provide controlled electric shocks to prevent you from suffering a cardiac arrest. They're also placed under the skin and can be implanted under local anaesthetic.
Ventricular assist devices (VAD): These devices help your heart pump blood around the body. VADs can be used as a long-term solution or while you're waiting for a heart transplant, usually only if other less invasive treatments haven't been effective.

Paying for private cardiomyopathy care

Private medical insurance may cover the cost of cardiomyopathy diagnosis and treatment but it’s always worth checking with your insurance provider to confirm if this is the case and whether any conditions apply.

If you’re able to go ahead, mention HCA UK as your preferred provider, plus your chosen consultant’s name if you have one, to ensure you receive the level of care you want.

If you don't have private medical insurance, paying for your own care is also possible. Our private facilities accept most payment methods. We'll send a transparent quote before any care is provided, including the cost of any diagnostics, consultations and necessary cardiomyopathy treatment.

Find out more about how to pay for your treatment

You're in good hands with our cardiomyopathy specialists

If you want to find the causes of your symptoms, check if you're at a higher risk of cardiomyopathy or simply understand more about your heart muscle, we're happy to connect you to one of our expert cardiologists.

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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.