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Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Diagnosis & Tests
How is the disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy begins with a history and physical exam. The healthcare provider may order a variety of tests, including:
A biopsy of the inside of the heart is often needed to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a small piece of tissue from the body. A heart biopsy is done by a procedure called cardiac catheterization.. This involves inserting a tube through the skin and into an artery, usually in the groin. The tube is moved forward in the artery until it reaches the heart. A small tool can be passed through the tube to remove a small piece of heart muscle. This piece can be sent to the lab for further examination and testing.