Skip to main content

Cardiomyopathy

Meaning

Cardiomyopathy is a clinical term encompassing a group of diseases that specifically affect the heart muscle, or myocardium, leading to structural and functional abnormalities. This condition impairs the heart’s ability to effectively pump blood throughout the body, often resulting in heart failure, arrhythmias, or sudden cardiac death. Classifications include dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive forms, each with distinct physiological consequences on ventricular size and wall thickness. Hormonal imbalances, such as those seen in severe thyroid dysfunction or growth hormone excess, are recognized secondary causes that contribute to the development or progression of this cardiac dysfunction.