Cardiomyopathy

This is when the heart's chambers enlarge and become weaker, making blood flow weaker.

Here the disease causes irregular heartbeats or rhythms. This is often inherited and more common in males.

This is when the heart muscle thickens and cannot relax properly, affecting blood flow. This often presents in childhood or early adulthood. This is commonly an inherited condition.

This is when the heart muscle starts to stiffen, restricting blood flow. This is the least common type of cardiomyopathy.

Your care team may send you for a series of blood tests to help assess your condition. Genetic testing may also be recommended.

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An X-ray is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that is used to take images of the inside of the body. X-rays are done in the Radiology Clinic.

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An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a test that checks how your heart is functioning by measuring the electrical activity. This test measures and records the electrical activity that passes through the heart to determine if this electrical activity is normal or irregular.

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Cardiac stress tests are used to diagnose and manage heart conditions by evaluating how the heart functions during physical activity. During the test, patients exercise on a treadmill or receive medication to simulate exercise while the heart activity is monitored.

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Cardiac CT, or Cardiac Computed Tomography, is used to provide detailed images of the heart and its blood vessels using X-rays and computer technology. Cardiac MRI, or Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging produces detailed images of the heart using powerful magnets and radio waves.

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Heart ultrasound, also known as echocardiography or echo, is used to diagnose heart conditions by using sound waves to create images of the heart.

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A pacemaker is a small electronic device that helps your heart beat at the right rate. When needed, it sends an electrical impulse to your heart, triggering a heartbeat. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (or ICD) is a small electronic device. It constantly checks your heart rate and rhythm.

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Cardiac ablation restores the normal regular rhythm by using heat or cold energy. This energy creates tiny scars in the heart. The scars block irregular electrical signals and restore a typical heartbeat.

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Cardioversion is a medical procedure used to treat heart rhythm problems. The procedure creates a small electric shock to reset a heart's rhythm. The shock interrupts the heart's abnormal heartbeat, making it return to normal rhythm.

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While it's rare for cardiomyopathy patients, heart transplant surgery is possible. A heart transplant removes the failing heart and pre-existing hardware (such as an implantable cardio defibrillator or pacemaker), and replaces it with a donor heart.

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Our clinical dietitians work with healthcare teams to give practical nutrition advice and education to patients and residents. They focus on your individual needs as well as involving your family in your nutritional health.

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To help with communicating with your health care team, we offer interpretation services 24-hours-a-day. Please ask your care team to place a request if you need an interpreter including a sign language interpreter.

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Pharmacists at Providence assist those staying in our two hospitals (inpatients) and those visiting our many clinics (outpatients). We collaborate with your healthcare team, using our knowledge to recommend the most suitable drug treatment for your condition. We also keep watch for possible negative reactions to medications, aiming to find the right balance between safety and effectiveness.

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Our psychology services can provide emotional support to our patients who may need help coping with their condition and its treatment.

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Our social work team helps patients and their families by providing emotional support and connecting them to helpful resources and services. This team can also assist in planning for the future, advocate for patients' needs, and help with practical concerns like finances and social support.

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We offer pastoral care services to support you and your loved ones. Our professional staff, including chaplains from different faiths, are here to accompany you, provide counseling, and create spaces for reflection, prayer, and meditation. 

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We strive to offer you the best and most compassionate care possible. If we succeed, please let us know. If we fall short of our goal “How you want to be treated,” please also let us know. 

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