What kind of diagnostic evaluation is needed for cardiomyopathy?
In all patients with a suspicion of cardiomyopathy, the history and physical examination is of primary importance to make the diagnosis. Signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure, such as fast breathing and fast heart rate, abnormal lung and heart sounds, and an enlarged liver can help the physician make the correct diagnosis. A murmur and abnormal chest wall impulses can be seen in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but their absence does not rule out the diagnosis. It is recommended that siblings of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy undergo a cardiac consultation even if they have no signs or symptoms. A chest X-ray is usually performed which will typically show an enlarged heart and extra fluid in the lungs (also referred to as pulmonary edema.) An electrocardiogram (EKG) to evaluate the amount of enlargement as well as the rhythm of the heart is often performed during the initial evaluation. An echocardiogram of the heart will give a definitive diagnosis as to the type of ca
