Heart Muscle Diseases (Cardiomyopathies): Prevention

To prevent cardiomyopathies, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors.

Dilated (dilated) cardiomyopathy (DCM) – “Secondary (acquired/specific) cardiomyopathy”

Behavioral risk factors

• Recreational drug use
  • Chronic alcohol abuse (alcohol abuse)
• Drug use
  • Cocaine
  • Methamphetamine (“crystal meth”) → methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy (appearance of severe heart failure (heart failure)/NYHA stage III or IV)

Environmental stress

• Chemical noxae
• Heavy metals (e.g. cadmium)