Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the walls of the heart become thick and rigid. The heart is then not able to fill with a normal amount of blood.
What is going on in the body?
In a person with restrictive cardiomyopathy, the muscle in the walls of the heart becomes thickened and less elastic. The heart then cannot fill with blood properly. Blood can, in effect, "back up" into the lungs and the rest of the body. This can lead to failure of the heart, or congestive heart failure.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
When the cause of the heart muscle thickening is unknown, this condition is called primary restrictive cardiomyopathy. However, other diseases can cause this condition. These cases are called secondary restrictive cardiomyopathy. Examples of causes include:
In some cases, the cause cannot be found.