Cardiomyopathy is defined as which of the following?

Cardiomyopathy is defined as which of the following?

• A. Heart valve disease
• B. Blockage of an artery
• C. Abnormal heart rhythm
• D. Disease of the heart muscle

Answer: (D)

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle itself, the myocardium. When the muscle is diseased, its ability to contract or relax properly is impaired, which can weaken the heart’s pumping action and lead to heart failure symptoms. This distinguishes it from other heart problems: valve disease affects the heart valves, a blocked artery causes ischemia or a heart attack, and an abnormal heart rhythm is an electrical issue in the heart. So the phrase that best describes cardiomyopathy is disease of the heart muscle.

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle itself, the myocardium. When the muscle is diseased, its ability to contract or relax properly is impaired, which can weaken the heart’s pumping action and lead to heart failure symptoms. This distinguishes it from other heart problems: valve disease affects the heart valves, a blocked artery causes ischemia or a heart attack, and an abnormal heart rhythm is an electrical issue in the heart. So the phrase that best describes cardiomyopathy is disease of the heart muscle.