Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis and Testing

How can a cardiomyopathy be diagnosed?
An individual with symptoms or risk factors that may indicate a predisposition to developing a cardiomyopathy can be evaluated with several different diagnostic tests.

Non-invasive Testing:
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive test that records the electrical rhythm of the heart. An arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) can often be detected on an electrocardiogram. If an arrhythmia is detected, further testing may be required depending on the type and classification of the arrhythmia. An ECG can also help determine the presence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as the thickened heart walls usually disrupt the normal heart rhythm in a predictable pattern that is recorded on the ECG.

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. The purpose of the echocardiogram in diagnosing a cardiomyopathy is to measure the size of each of the four chambers of the heart and measure the thickness of the heart walls. The echocardiogram can also detect if the heart has begun to lose its ability to pump blood effectively or if the heart is having difficulty relaxing in-between heart beats.

Newer tests, such as CAT scanning and MRI of the heart, may also be used to identify cardiomyopathy as well as malformations that sometimes accompany this condition.

The option to undergo a genetic test to determine if you may have inherited the predisposition to develop the form of cardiomyopathy that runs in your family is currently very complex. If you are interested in learning if genetic testing is available for you or someone in your family you should contact a genetic counselor. A genetic counselor in your area can be located through the resource link on the National Society of Genetic Counselors web site.

Invasive Testing:
Heart catheterization and heart biopsies are sometimes performed once an individual has been diagnosed with a cardiomyopathy. These procedures can often help determine what might have caused an individual to develop a cardiomyopathy and to help determine their prognosis. Inflammation, iron accumulation, coronary artery disease and many other causes of cardiomyopathy can often be ruled out based on the results of the heart catheterization and heart biopsy.