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Our Services / Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy

Up to 1 in 500 adults have cardiomyopathy today. At ARK Cardiovascular & Arrhythmia Center, with offices in Dearborn, Detroit, and Trenton, Michigan, and a diagnostic and imaging center in Trenton, the team of cardiovascular health specialists offers customized care based on your type of cardiomyopathy and its symptoms. Protect your heart and long-term health by calling the office nearest you, or clicking the online scheduler now.


Cardiomyopathy Q & A

What is cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is a group of conditions that cause problems in the heart muscle, ranging from thickening to thinning to stiffening to other abnormalities. 

These conditions make it difficult to pump blood effectively, which in turn may cause irregular heart rhythm, blood collection in the lungs, and eventually heart failure.

What are the different types of cardiomyopathy? 

The main forms of cardiomyopathy are: 

Dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs when one of the ventricles (pumping chambers) in your heart grows too large.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is heart muscle thickening. 

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy causes changes that lead to irregular heart rhythms.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy occurs when your heart muscle is significantly scarred, stiffened, or both.

All types of cardiomyopathy require prompt medical attention at ARK Cardiovascular & Arrhythmia Center.

What are the symptoms of cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy doesn’t always cause symptoms, but as the disease progresses it’s common to experience issues such as:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Tiredness
  • Lower body swelling
  • Loss of consciousness

Some of these symptoms also occur in other cardiovascular diseases and conditions, so it’s important to see the team at ARK Cardiovascular & Arrhythmia Center for a diagnosis when symptoms begin.

How is cardiomyopathy diagnosed?

For accurate cardiomyopathy diagnosis, you may need tests such as: 

  • Lab tests
  • Chest X-ray
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Nuclear stress test
  • Echocardiogram
  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
  • Ambulatory monitoring (Holter monitor, event monitor) 

You may also need other tests like myocardial biopsy. If you’re at risk for cardiomyopathy due to genetics, you may need genetic testing. 

How is cardiomyopathy treated?

Cardiomyopathy treatment can help you reduce symptoms, prevent disease progression, and minimize the risk of complications like heart failure. 

Because every type of cardiomyopathy is different and each person can have unique individual symptoms, ARK Cardiovascular & Arrhythmia Center offers a wide range of treatment approaches including medication, nonsurgical in-office procedures, pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and many other options.  

If all other treatments fail to ease your symptoms or control disease progression, you could need advanced heart surgery or a heart transplant. But, by treating cardiomyopathy as early as possible, you can prevent heart failure and live a healthy life using less invasive solutions. 

For cardiomyopathy help, you need the best cardiologists in Michigan on your side, so call ARK Cardiovascular & Arrhythmia Center, or book your appointment online now.