Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body.
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Your heart is a muscle that acts as a pump, moving blood throughout your entire body to keep you alive and energetic. Cardiomyopathy happens when this heart muscle becomes thickened, enlarged, or stiff, which makes it very difficult for the heart to squeeze and relax properly.
Because the heart cannot pump efficiently, your body may not get enough oxygen-rich blood. This condition is not the same as a heart attack, but it changes the structure of the heart itself, forcing it to work much harder than it should have to.
Common Symptoms
- Feeling out of breath during physical activity or even while lying down.
- Noticeable swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet.
- Feeling like your heart is racing, fluttering, or skipping beats, known as palpitations.
- Feeling very tired or weak throughout the day.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting spells.