However, the condition is a leading reason for heart transplantation. Second, unlike many other forms of heart disease that affect middle-aged and older persons, certain types of cardiomopathies can, and often do, occur in the young. The condition tends to be progressive and sometimes worsens fairly quickly. As noted, there are various types of cardiomyopathy. Ischemic cardiomyopathy typically refers to heart muscle damage that results from coronary artery disease, such as heart attack, and will not be discussed here .
Nonischemic cardiomyopathy includes several types.
The three main types are covered in this fact sheet. The name of each describes the nature of its muscle damage. This weakens the heart's pumping ability. Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs most often in middle-aged people and more often in men than women. However, the disease has been diagnosed in people of all ages, including children.