Types of Cardiomyopathy

Types of cardiomyopathy fall into four principal categories based upon the muscle problem involved. These include, in order of prevalence:

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• Dilated cardiomyopathy--an abnormally enlarged heart muscle
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy--an abnormally thick heart muscle
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy--an abnormally stiff heart muscle
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD)--abnormal transmission of electrical impulses by the heart muscle

Within these categories, cardiomyopathies are further distinguished based upon the cause, if known. For example, dilated cardiomyopathy caused by alcoholism is called alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Frequently, the cause is unknown. In these cases the condition is referred to as idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

This section contains more information on these types of cardiomyopathy:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD)