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

AstraZeneca expects to release data from a transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy late-stage study for Wainua—which is already approved in the U.S. for a related disease—in the second half of the year.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

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

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

From BBC • 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

There have been cases of stress-induced cardiomyopathy, which also is known as broken heart syndrome.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan