Cardiomyopathy
Cardio (heart) + myo (muscle) + pathy (disease)
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart that affects the muscle itself. It results in the heart becoming abnormally large and stiff, making it hard for the heart to pump blood.
The condition can affect people at any age, including infancy. A progressive disease, it can cause increasing problems as a child ages, sometimes leading to a very slow or rapid heart rate, or even heart failure.
At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, we have a comprehensive program that offers advanced diagnosis and treatment of cardiomyopathies, including medications and advanced heart procedures as well as heart transplantation if needed. Most children can be treated effectively and continue to have an active lifestyle. Our team includes cardiomyopathy specialists as well as those experienced in heart failure and heart rhythm disorders. We also offer advanced imaging and genetic testing.
What Causes Cardiomyopathy?
In children, cardiomyopathy can be an inherited condition. Sometimes, it is caused by inflammation or an infection in the heart. It also may occur because of another medical problem, such as a connective tissue disorder or coronary artery disease. In some cases, however, no specific cause can be determined.
What Are the Symptoms?
Cardiomyopathy may be noticed if an infant or toddler has difficulty feeding or becomes short of breath. However, many children, including babies, may not show any symptoms at first.
Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Racing heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm
- Tires easily during activities
- Fainting
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Frequent, persistent coughing
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen
Types of Cardiomyopathies
There are several types of cardiomyopathies, but three are more common in children:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy — One of the most common types found in children, this causes the heart muscle to become dilated, or stretched, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — This occurs when the heart muscle wall becomes thick, usually the wall between the heart’s two lower chambers. The thickness restricts or even blocks the flow of blood out of the heart. This type of cardiomyopathy has a strong genetic factor, with half of all children diagnosed having a family member with the same condition (diagnosed or even undiagnosed).
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy — This is an uncommon form of cardiomyopathy that results in the heart becoming very stiff and rigid which then affects the heart’s ability to move blood through the chambers.
Our Expertise
We have a full array of treatment options for children diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. From medications to heart assist devices and surgical procedures, we provide for the initial diagnosis and then long-term treatment of children through early adulthood. For those diagnosed with abnormal heart rhythms, we have special multidisciplinary clinics and programs. We also offer a dedicated heart failure clinic and a ventricular assist device program. Of particular note is our Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Program that cares for adults with congenital heart disease.