Cardiomyopathy literally means disease of the heart muscle.  Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. This leads to impairment of the heart's ability to pump blood, and eventually to heart failure. The name comes from the roots cardio meaning "heart," myo meaning "muscle" and pathy meaning "disease." The known causes of cardiomyopathy are many, and include coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease.

Cardiomyopathy occurs in three major types:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy. This type involves enlargement of one or more of your heart's chambers.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This form involves thickening of your heart's muscle.
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy. This type results in your heart muscle becoming more rigid.

You can take steps to reduce your risk of developing cardiomyopathy. If you have the condition, treatment depends on what type you have and may include medications, implantable devices or, in severe cases, a heart transplant.

Prevention

You may be able to prevent or reduce your likelihood of developing cardiomyopathy by avoiding some of the conditions that can contribute to cardiomyopathy, including the abuse of alcohol or cocaine, or nutritional deficiencies. Controlling high blood pressure is important and prevents many people from developing cardiomyopathy later in life. If you have a family history of cardiomyopathy, let your doctor know and discuss the pros and cons of having a screening test.

• Alcohol addiction

• high blood pressure

Your doctor may recommend adopting the following lifestyle changes to help you manage cardiomyopathy:

• Quit smoking

• Lose excess weight

• Adopt a low-salt diet

• Get modest exercise, after discussing with your doctor the most appropriate program of physical activity

• Abstain from drinking alcohol

• Get adequate sleep and rest

• Reduce the amount of stress in your life

• Alcohol addiction

• high blood pressure

• Nicotine dependence