Keeping your heart beating stronger, longer
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy makes your heart work harder to pump blood. Our specialty cardiomyopathy clinics can help you feel your best.
What is cardiomyopathy?
When you have cardiomyopathy, your heart muscle thickens, making it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of your body. This condition — which may be genetic — can cause your heart to weaken over time, which can increase your risk of developing heart failure.
The four main types of cardiomyopathy are:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
What are the symptoms of cardiomyopathy?
In its early stages, cardiomyopathy may not have any symptoms. But during different stages of cardiomyopathy, symptoms vary and may include:
- Shortness of breath, especially when lying flat or with exertion
- Lightheadedness
- Heart palpitations
- Swelling, also known as edema, in your legs, feet and abdomen
- Extreme fatigue
- Chest pain
Just because you have some of these symptoms doesn’t mean you have cardiomyopathy. But if you have symptoms, it’s still important to speak to your doctor to rule out other health conditions.
Cardiomyopathy risk factors
Certain behaviors, genetics and risk factors can increase your chances of developing cardiomyopathy. These include:
- High blood pressure: One-third of American adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension, which increases the risk of developing cardiomyopathy.
- Family history: If you have a family member who’s been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, your risk for developing cardiomyopathy increases.
- Infections: Infections in your heart can affect its function.
- Other risk factors: Other factors that can increase your risk of developing cardiomyopathy include:
- Having a previous heart attack
- Having a congenital heart defect
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Radiation therapy from certain types of cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Illicit drug use
- Being overweight
How is cardiomyopathy diagnosed?
Our team of heart specialists is experienced in diagnosing and treating cardiomyopathy. We offer screening tests that use the most advanced technology to better detect cardiomyopathy including:
- Blood tests – These tests can also rule out any issues with your thyroid, liver or kidneys.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – This noninvasive test uses small sensors attached to your chest and arms to record your heart’s electrical activity.
- Chest X-ray – This allows your doctor to see the condition of your lungs and heart, and potentially rule out other causes of your symptoms.
- Echocardiogram – A wand-like device is placed on your chest and uses sound waves to create a video of your heart working.
Cardiomyopathy specialty clinics
Visit one of our dedicated cardiomyopathy clinics for personalized, local care — we have locations throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania. Your cardiologist can help you find the nearest cardiomyopathy clinic.
We’re recognized as a center of excellence by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA), the only facility with this designation in the central Pennsylvania region.
Preparing for your visit
Before your visit, make a list of anyone in your family with a heart condition and a list of your own diagnosed heart conditions.
During your appointment, we’ll talk with you about managing your cardiomyopathy. And we’ll perform minimally invasive tests to check your heart’s function. You and your doctor will work together to develop a treatment plan to help you feel your best.
Treatment for cardiomyopathy
Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Your doctor may encourage you to make healthy lifestyle changes to reduce your cardiomyopathy symptoms. These may include:
- Quitting smoking
- Changing your diet
- Losing weight
- Reducing stress
- Emotional support
If your cardiomyopathy can’t be successfully managed through less invasive treatment options, your heart doctor may recommend surgery.
Our heart surgeons use the latest techniques to treat heart conditions, including minimally invasive surgery, to offer you the best outcomes and path for healing.
Cardiomyopathy care at Geisinger
Our heart team is dedicated to providing compassionate care and the most advanced cardiomyopathy treatments available. We offer:
- The knowledge you need – Your heart team includes surgeons, doctors and specialists with years of training and experience. Their expertise has been honed by treating many people with cardiomyopathy, and their focus is on delivering the care best suited to your needs.
- Excellent care where you live – With locations throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, our experienced heart team provides consultations and comprehensive care. We offer leading-edge treatment options and tailored-to-you care backed by the expertise and innovation of a nationally recognized health system.
- Women’s heart health specialists – Women hold a special place in our hearts. So much so, they’ve inspired our team of experts to pursue breakthroughs and research that will impact the future of women’s heart health.
- Genetic testing and counseling programs – Special research programs, such as MyCode®, are only available at Geisinger. Participating in MyCode allows you to contribute to genetic research. By participating, some may receive information about their own genetic risks. Learn about MyCode.