Conditions

What is dilated cardiomyopathy? Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition which affects the heart muscle and can lead to the heart chambers (particularly the left ventricle which is the main pumping chamber in the heart) becoming enlarged and not pumping effectively. Around 25-35% of patients with a DCM will have an inherited form (familial) but other

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) Download a long QT patient information leaflet (PDF) Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is the most common and best understood type of channelopathy. It occurs in about 1 in 2,000 people. In 70% of people with LQTS, gene testing can identify the ion channels involved. In most cases, two of the potassium channels

What are premature coronary artery disease and familial hypercholesterolemia? The heart muscle requires a regular supply of oxygen and food. This is supplied by blood carried by a network of blood vessels known as the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries can become narrowed by ‘furring’ of the artery wall with cholesterol, called atherosclerotic plaques. Blood clots

What is myocarditis? Myocarditis refers to inflammation of the heart muscle. It is most often due to a virus. Other causes include drug abuse and conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Myocarditis due to a virus is relatively common, but most cases are very mild and are never seen by a doctor. However, some cases

What is restrictive cardiomyopathy? Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the rarest of the cardiomyopathies. It is characterised by increased stiffness of the heart muscle, usually due to scar tissue, which prevents adequate filling of the chambers of the heart. The actual pumping action of the heart is usually normal. The cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy is unknown in the