The Symptoms, Treatment and Outlook of Cardiomyopathy

The heart muscle (myocardium) is vital to our life and health because it pumps blood to every part of our bodies every minute of our lives. Keeping the heart muscle in optimal condition can be done with proper diet, exercise, rest, and general good health habits. If the myocardium becomes damaged, the size and proportions of the heart can alter and have trouble supplying our bodies with healthy oxygenated blood to support all bodily functions.

Information. When the coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood, nutrients, and oxygen become compromised by disease or damaged by plaque formation, cardiomyopathy may develop. Plaque is made of abnormal deposits of cholesterol that obstruct the coronary arteries and cause a decreased flow of blood to the heart muscle. Over time, the partial obstruction of blood flow can result in chest pain, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat. These symptoms can make exercise more difficult and complicate efforts to strengthen the heart muscle through activity. If the coronary artery becomes completely blocked, a heart attack results which may be fatal.