Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a problem in which the heart muscle becomes stiff and cannot fully expand to let enough blood enter its chambers. Blood that would normally enter the heart backs up in the circulatory system instead of getting pumped out to the body.

In most cases, restrictive cardiomyopathy leads to heart failure. Heart failure means that your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs.

A number of diseases can lead to restrictive cardiomyopathy. Sometimes the cause is not known. Symptoms of restrictive cardiomyopathy happen if a person gets heart failure. Heart failure symptoms include shortness of breath, feeling weak and tired, and swollen legs and feet.

The goal of treatment is to slow the disease and help you feel better. You may also have treatment for the cause of the cardiomyopathy. Treatment may include medicine and lifestyle changes.