Many patients with Cardiomyopathies may not display any signs or symptoms and may not be aware that they have a potentially deadly heart condition.
Patient history is key to the identification of family members who may have suffered a sudden cardiac death event or survived a cardiac arrest. This information should alert physicians to consider a non-ischaemic cause of cardiomyopathy.
Typically, patients may present with signs of heart failure, which include:
Cardiologist and Heart Failure Specialist, Dr Scott McKenzie outlines the signs and symptoms of heart failure in the below video:
Traditional diagnosis may be difficult depending on the type of cardiomyopathy, as many patients may not have any signs or be aware they have the condition. The time required for a formal diagnosis of Cardiomyopathy may depend on the frequency and severity of symptoms (if any). A physical examination may show:
Family history may include:
Diagnostic tests may include the following:
Learn more about the treatment options for Cardiomyopathy