cardiomyopathy

American  

[kahr-dee-oh-mahy-op-uh-thee] / ˌkɑr di oʊ maɪˈɒp ə θi /

noun

Pathology.

1. any disease of the heart muscle, leading to decreased function: usually of unknown cause.

---

cardiomyopathy British  

/ ˌkɑːdɪəʊmaɪˈɒpəθɪ /

noun

1. pathol a disease of the heart muscle usually caused by a biochemical defect or a toxin such as alcohol

---

cardiomyopathy Scientific  

/ kär′dē-ō-mī-ŏp′ə-thē /

1. Any of various structural or functional abnormalities of the cardiac muscle, usually characterized by loss of muscle efficiency and sometimes heart failure. Cardiomyopathy can result from numerous causes, including congenital defects, acute or chronic infections, coronary artery disease, drugs and toxins, metabolic disorders, connective tissue disorders, or nutritional deficiencies. In some patients, the cause is unknown.

---

Etymology

Origin of cardiomyopathy

First recorded in 1960–65; cardio- + myopathy

Example Sentences

In 1992, his son Daniel died aged 15 from the genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while playing football at home with Yorath.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

Ms Greenwood says doctors are still unsure what caused the heart attack and that her previously diagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy was potentially not a factor.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

Marine animals face similar challenges: beluga whales have documented gastrointestinal cancers, while farmed Atlantic salmon experience cardiomyopathy syndrome.

From Science Daily • Nov. 17, 2025

However, one of their potential side effects is cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

Hers is “To become the premier physician-scientist working in the realm of gender-based medicine and, specifically, takotsubo cardiomyopathy as it affects women.”

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon