It is important to identify people who may be at high risk for cardiomyopathy. After all, some people with cardiomyopathy never have signs or symptoms. Others have no signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

 If people without symptoms notice an increased risk of cardiomyopathy, they have a better chance of diagnosing it early, when treatment can be most effective. Signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy include:

•  Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, especially with physical exertion
•  burnout
•  Swelling of the veins in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, and neck
•  dizziness
•  dizziness
•  fainting during physical activity
•  Arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats)
•  Chest pain, especially after physical exertion or heavy meals
•  Heart murmurs (unusual sounds associated with heartbeats)
•  Signs and symptoms of heart failure usually appear in the later stages of cardiomyopathy, as the heart weakens.

 How is cardiomyopathy diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will diagnose cardiomyopathy based on your medical history, family history, physical exam, and diagnostic test results.

 A cardiologist or pediatric cardiologist usually diagnoses and treats cardiomyopathy. These doctors specialize in heart disease.

 Medical and family histories

 Your healthcare provider will want to learn about your medical history and any signs and symptoms you may have. Your doctor will also want to know if anyone in your family has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, heart failure, or cardiac arrest. Physics exam

 Your healthcare provider will use a stethoscope to listen to your heart and lungs for sounds that may suggest cardiomyopathy. Certain sounds may even suggest a particular type of disease.

 For example, the severity, timing, and location of a heart murmur may suggest obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A 'crackling' sound in the lungs can be a sign of heart failure.

 Certain physical signs also help your doctor diagnose cardiomyopathy. Swelling of the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, or veins in your neck indicates fluid buildup, which is a sign of heart failure.

 Diagnostic tests

 One or more of the following tests may be recommended to diagnose cardiomyopathy:

 Blood tests: A small amount of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm, usually using a needle. Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray takes pictures of the organs and structures in your chest and can show whether your heart is enlarged. It can also reveal whether fluid is accumulating in your lungs. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): An EKG records the electrical activity of the heart, showing how fast the heart is beating and whether its rhythm is steady or irregular. An EKG can detect cardiomyopathy as well as other problems such as heart attack, arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats), and heart failure. You may need to wear a portable EKG monitor to diagnose incoming and outgoing heart problems.

 Holter and event monitor: Both are portable devices that record the electrical activity of your heart during your normal daily activities. A Holter monitor records the electrical activity of the heart over a 24- or 48-hour period. The event monitor records the electrical activity of the heart only at certain times.

Stress Test: During a stress test, your heart must be working hard (and beating fast) while the test is being taken. These tests may include nuclear heart scans, echoes, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.