Cardiomyopathy : Symptoms, causes and risk factors

Posted By Suborna Fermi Posted on Jul 23, 2026

Introduction

Heart muscles are also known as myocardium. Cardiomyopathy is a condition that affects the myocardium or heart muscles. This condition can enlarge or stiffen the heart and make it difficult for the heart to pump sufficient blood. As a result of that, the blood supply to your entire body gets hampered. Cardiomyopathy in the long run can make your heart weak and vulnerable, eventually leading to a heart failure. It is one of the most serious heart conditions that requires strict medical care. Knowingly, this condition can also be the reason for scar tissue. In this article, we will talk about the symptoms, causes and the risk factors of this crucial heart condition.

What are the primary symptoms of cardiomyopathy?

Major symptoms of cardiomyopathy include

• Heart palpitations
• Fatigue
• Arrhythmia
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Swelling in the ankles and legs
• Syncope

What are the causes of cardiomyopathy?

Many researchers have discovered a lot of genetic mutations that cause cardiomyopathy. Therefore, the primary cause of this condition are the genes that come from the parents. Some of the other major causes of cardiomyopathy include

• Infections
• Coronary artery diseases
• Autoimmune diseases
• Heart inflammation
• Muscular dystrophy
• Diabetes
• Sarcoidosis
• Thyroid diseases
• High cholesterol diseases
• Hemochromatosis
• Amyloidosis

What are the major risk factors of cardiomyopathy?

Common risk factors for cardiomyopathy include

• A family history of cardiomyopathy, heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest.
• Exposure to chemotherapy or radiation as a part of cancer treatments
• Any previous history of heart attacks
• Long term use of alcohol or cocaine
• BMI (Body Mass Index) higher than 30
• A very stressful experience like any big personal loss
• Pregnancy

The bottom line

Cardiomyopathy must not be left untreated as it may worsen with time and start causing other serious health complications like arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, heart valve diseases etc. However, many different types of heart diseases are easier to get diagnosed now as modern pathology labs are providing a wide variety of cardiac test facilities in many different regions. You may consult getting in touch with one of them to gain more information in this regard.