Types of Inherited Cardiomyopathy

We treat all types of inherited cardiomyopathy, which differ in their specific genetic causes, appearance on heart tests, symptoms, complications, and treatments.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM): This type of cardiomyopathy causes heart muscle disease and serious electrical changes that lead to life-threatening heart rhythms.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC): ARVC is a rare, inherited disease that affects the heart muscle and has a more serious effect on the heart’s electrical system. It is associated with the replacement of heart muscle by fibrous or fatty tissue. Treatments may include medications, procedures, and implantable devices to protect you from life-threatening arrhythmia. Learn more about arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM): In some cases, the heart muscle weakens and the main pumping chamber of the heart enlarges, causing the heart to pump less effectively. Dilated cardiomyopathy has both acquired and inherited causes. Up to half of people with unexplained (sometimes called idiopathic or non-ischemic) dilated cardiomyopathy actually have an inherited genetic cause. If needed, treatments may include medication, lifestyle adjustments, implantable devices, or cardiac surgery. Read more about dilated cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): Typically inherited, this cardiomyopathy causes thickening of the heart muscle. This thickening can interfere with the flow of blood as it leaves the heart. HCM can cause other changes to the heart, including abnormal heart valve function and harmful heart rhythms. Treatments may include medications, implantable devices, surgery, lifestyle adjustments, and individualized exercise recommendations to keep you safe. Find out more about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM): With restrictive cardiomyopathy, the chambers of the heart become stiff and cannot fill normally with blood, which leads to less oxygenated blood available for the body. The cause is often genetic, and treatments vary depending on the cause of the stiffness. One genetic cause is familial ATTR amyloidosis.

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC): LVNC occurs when the heart muscle wall in the main pumping chamber (left ventricle) looks spongy. Some people whose heart appears this way do not have any problems. But if the heart muscle appears or functions abnormally in other ways, it indicates a condition called non-compaction cardiomyopathy, which can cause heart failure, arrhythmia, and stroke. Learn more about left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy.

Stress cardiomyopathy: This condition is sometimes called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It is a weakening of the heart that comes on rapidly, typically triggered by severe emotional or physical stress. In many cases, people recover completely from this type of cardiomyopathy.

Viral cardiomyopathy: This condition is sometimes called myocarditis and is a rapid-onset weakening of the heart caused by an infection or the immune system’s response to infection. When someone presents with an unexplained cardiomyopathy, a virus is sometimes suspected as the cause. In many cases, these unexplained cardiomyopathies actually have a genetic cause. Our team can help work out this likelihood.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: Sometimes, dilated cardiomyopathy appears for the first time during pregnancy or soon after delivery. In this case, we usually describe the condition as peripartum cardiomyopathy. A significant portion of peripartum cardiomyopathy has been shown to result from an underlying genetic risk that was triggered by the physical and hormonal changes that occur in pregnancy, delivery, and while breastfeeding. Our team provides a careful evaluation, keeping inherited causes in mind.