Cardiomyopathy

Symptoms:

• shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• decreasing ability to tolerate physical exertion
• chest pain
• fainting (syncope), especially after activity
• lightheadedness, especially after activity
• dizziness
• sensation of feeling heart beat (palpitations)
• high blood pressure

Additional symptoms that may occur

• swelling of legs, ankles, or other portion of the body
• abdominal swelling or enlargement
• decreased amount of urine
• need to urinate at night
• fatigue, reduced activity tolerance
• changes in mental status
  • decreased alertness
  • difficulty concentrating

• cough
• loss of appetite

Signs and tests:

Examination may reveal an irregular heartbeat, and heart sounds and breath sounds may be abnormal. There may be other signs of heart failure.

Decreased heart functioning and enlargement of the heart may show in these tests:

• coronary angiography
• echocardiogram
• chest X-ray
• chest CT scan
• MRI of chest

An ECG may show enlargement, old MI, ischemic changes, arrhythmias, or other abnormality.

A biopsy of the heart may be needed to rule out other disorders.

Lab tests may be used to rule out other disorders and to assess the condition of the heart:

• CBC
• coronary risk profile
• blood chemistries
• cardiac enzymes (CPK isoenzymes, LDH isoenzymes)