What Causes Cardiomyopathy?

High Blood Pressure

Unchecked high blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to what is known as hypertensive heart disease, or HHD. Hypertensive heart disease is the number one cause of death associated with high blood pressure because it can encourage the development of several serious heart issues including ischemic heart disease, heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, and cardiomyopathy. In all of these cases, the heart becomes less elastic and weakened. This often results in inefficient blood flow and increased pressure in the heart. The heart enlarges to accommodate excess blood flow, which weakens the muscles surrounding the heart. To effectively treat cardiomyopathy caused by hypertension, treatments for both conditions will be required.

Keep reading to uncover how drugs and alcohol can cause cardiomyopathy.