Word parts
What it means
A group of diseases in which the heart muscle becomes stretched, thick or stiff. In dilated cardiomyopathy, the chambers enlarge and the walls weaken. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the walls thicken, often from an inherited cause. In restrictive cardiomyopathy, the walls stiffen. It can lead to heart failurehart FAYL-yerA long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.Full entry , abnormal rhythms and sudden death.
For the nurse
Care is like heart failure care: daily weights, fluid and salt limits as ordered, activity pacing and taking heart drugs as prescribed. Teach clients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to avoid dehydration and very strenuous exercise unless cleared.
At a glance
| Spanish | miocardiopatía |
|---|---|
| Also written | cardiomyopathies |
Related terms
arrhythmia
A heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.
heart failure
A long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
cardi/o
A word part that means heart.
echocardiogram
An ultrasound picture of the heart that shows its chambers, valves, walls and how well it pumps.