Causes and Risk Factors for Cardiomyopathy

Overview

Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle that can weaken the heart, making it enlarged, rigid, or thick. This condition affects the heart's ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body. There are various types of cardiomyopathy, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, and unclassified cardiomyopathy.

The causes of cardiomyopathy can include genetics, other medical conditions, extreme stress, pregnancy, heart attacks, high blood pressure, infections, and other diseases. Sometimes the cause remains unknown. It can also run in families. Treatments for cardiomyopathy may involve medications, surgical procedures, implanted devices, and lifestyle changes to help control symptoms and prevent the disease from worsening.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors (Risk Factors You Can't Change)

Non-modifiable risk factors for cardiomyopathy are factors that cannot be changed. These include:

  • Age: As people get older, the risk of developing cardiomyopathy increases.
  • Sex assigned at birth: Certain types of cardiomyopathy may be more common in one sex over the other.
  • Genetics: A family history of cardiomyopathy or certain genetic conditions can increase the risk.
  • Race or ethnicity: Some racial and ethnic groups may have a higher predisposition to developing cardiomyopathy.
Modifiable Risk Factors (Factors You May Be Able to Change)

Modifiable risk factors for cardiomyopathy are behaviors or conditions that can be changed to lower the risk of developing the condition. These include:

  • Unhealthy diet: Eating patterns that are high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and salt, and low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can increase the risk of cardiomyopathy.
  • Physical inactivity: Not getting enough exercise or movement throughout the day increases the risk.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking more alcohol than what is considered moderate and safe for health can raise the risk.
  • Tobacco: The use of cigarettes or other tobacco products can harm the heart and blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiomyopathy.
Reducing Risks
  • Get regular exercise: Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, as recommended by the American Heart Association.
  • Maintain a healthy weight: Keep your body mass index within the recommended range for your body to reduce the risk of cardiomyopathy.
  • Avoid smoking and tobacco or nicotine use: Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, so quitting smoking can help lower the risk.
  • Monitor blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels: Regular check-ups can help detect any issues early and prevent complications.
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet: Include plenty of vegetables and fruits in your meals to support heart health.
  • Limit alcohol intake: Drinking no more than two alcoholic beverages per day is advised, with high-risk individuals avoiding alcohol altogether.
  • Manage stress: Practicing stress-relief techniques can contribute to overall heart health and potentially reduce the risk of cardiomyopathy.

What are the most common causes of Cardiomyopathy?

How does my family history affect my risk of developing Cardiomyopathy?

What lifestyle changes can I make to reduce my risk of Cardiomyopathy?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9441708
Hypertension as a risk factor for atherosclerosis: Cardiovascular risk assessment.
Atherosclerosis is a predecessor of numerous cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which often lead to morbidity and mortality. Despite the knowledge of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, an essential gap in our understanding is the exact trigger mechanism. A wide range of risk factors have been discovered; however, a majority of them are too general to clarify the launching mechanism of atherogenesis. Some risk factors are permanent (age, gender, genetic heritage) and others can be modified [tobacco smoking, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes (T2D), dyslipidemia, and obesity]. All of them have to be taken into account. In the scope of this review, our attention is focused on hypertension, which is considered the most widespread among all modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis development. Moreover, high blood pressure is the most investigated risk factor. The purpose of this review is to summarize the data on hypertension as a risk factor for atherosclerosis development and the risk assessment.
PubMed Central
2022-08-22
/en/sources/harvardhealthpublishing-cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy
What Is It? Cardiomyopathy refers to changes in the heart muscle. These changes prevent part or all of the heart from contracting normally.   There are three types of cardiomyopathy.
Harvard Health Publishing
2023-11-07
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy - What Is Cardiomyopathy? | NHLBI, NIH
Cardiomyopathy refers to problems with your heart muscle that make it harder for your heart to pump blood. There are many types and causes of cardiomyopathy, and it can affect people of any sex, age, or race.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
2024-12-06
/en/sources/healthline-cardiomyopathy-vs-heart-failure-what-is-the-difference
Cardiomyopathy vs. heart failure: What is the difference?
Cardiomyopathy is one of many potential causes for heart failure. Learn the difference between cardiomyopathy versus heart failure.
Medical News Today
2024-03-18
/en/sources/healthline-what-is-stress-induced-cardiomyopathy
What Is Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy?
Stress induced cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome, occurs when a stressful event stuns the heart, temporarily leading to symptoms such as chest pain.
PsychCentral
2022-01-20
/en/sources/healthline-what-is-nonischemic-cardiomyopathy
What Is Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy?
Learn what defines nonischemic cardiomyopathy, the symptoms it causes, and how doctors diagnose and treat it.
Healthline
2024-04-04
/en/sources/healthline-ischemic-cardiomyopathy-symptoms-causes-and-treatment
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Ischemic cardiomyopathy (IC) is a condition that occurs when the heart muscle is weakened. Find out what causes it, how it's treated, and ways to prevent it.
Healthline
2018-09-17
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cardiomyopathy/causes
Cardiomyopathy - Causes and Risk Factors | NHLBI, NIH
Cardiomyopathy can be caused by your genes, other medical conditions, or extreme stress. People of any age, race, or ethnicity can have cardiomyopathy. Some lifestyle habits may raise your risk of cardiomyopathy.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
2024-12-07
/en/sources/healthline-left-ventricular-noncompaction-cardiomyopathy-lvnc
Left Ventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy (LVNC)
Learn about the symptoms and treatment of left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy, a rare, congenital heart disease.
Healthline
2024-04-02
https://medlineplus.gov/cardiomyopathy.html
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease that causes the heart to become enlarged, thick, or stiff. Read about the different types, their symptoms, and treatments.
MedlinePlus
2023-11-15
/en/sources/healthline-eat-more-plants-less-meat-to-lower-your-diabetes-heart-disease-risk
Eat More Plants, Less Meat, to Lower Your Diabetes, Heart Disease Risk
Reducing the amount of protein-rich foods like meat, dairy, nuts, and soy can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Healthline
2020-02-04