Eat a generally well-balanced, nutritious diet, exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness, and avoid or minimize smoking and consumption of alcohol. A physical examination may reveal an irregular or a rapid heartbeat . Listening to the chest with a stethoscope may reveal lung crackles or abnormal heart sounds . An ECG may show arrhythmias or other abnormalities. A heart biopsy may be helpful to rule out other causes of cardiomyopathy.
Laboratory tests vary depending on the suspected cause.
Cardiomyopathy is classified as idiopathic when all known possible causes have been ruled out. Hospitalization may be required when symptoms are severe. Treatment is focused on relief of symptoms. It is essentially the same as the treatment of heart failure . Medications may include digitalis or other cardiac medications, diuretics , nutritional supplements, and other medications.