Cardiomyopathy

See all Pictures & Images

Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis & Tests

Examination may reveal an irregular heartbeat. Heart sounds and breath sounds may be abnormal. Additionally, there may be other signs of heart failure.

Decreased heart function and heart enlargement may appear in these tests:

• Coronary Angiography: This is the study of the coronary arteries (the vessels providing blood to the heart muscle). The angiography is done by introducing a small tube through the artery in the groin area and advancing it to the heart, then injecting an X-ray dye to visualize the coronary arteries.
• Echocardiogram and ultrasound examination of the heart.
• Chest X-ray.
• Chest CT scan.
• MRI of chest.
• ECG: May show enlargement, evidence of a previous heart attack, ischemic changes (abnormalities seen with a lack of blood flow to the heart), arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) or other abnormalities.
• Rarely, a heart biopsy may be needed to rule out other disorders.
  

Certain lab tests may be used to rule out other disorders and to assess the condition of the heart:

• CBC (Complete Blood Count). Red and white blood cells are counted, as well as platelets.
• Coronary Risk Profile: The patient's risk factors for coronary disease are evaluated. Risk factors include, but are not limited to, cigarette smoking, lipid profile (particularly cholesterol level), high blood pressure, diabetes, alcoholism, and physical inactivity.
• Blood Chemistries: CBC, lipid profile (cholesterol test), and cardiac enzymes.

• Cardiac Enzymes: (CPK isoenzymes, CK-MB, LDH isoenzymes).