Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy represents a collection of diverse conditions of the heart muscle. These diseases have many causes, symptoms, and treatments and can affect people of all ages and races. When cardiomyopathy occurs, the normal muscle in the heart can thicken, stiffen, thin out, or fill with substances the body produces that do not belong in the heart muscle. As a result, the heart muscle’s ability to pump blood is reduced, which can lead to irregular heartbeats, the backup of blood into the lungs or rest of the body, and heart failure. The diagnosis of cardiomyopathy is usually established by a cardiologist with an EKG, echocardiogram, chest x-ray, and cardiac stress testing (e.g., treadmill). A coronary angiogram may be required. The SSA does not have a separate listing for cardiomyopathies. Instead, you apply under one of the other three categories: congestive heart failure (4.02), ischemic (coronary) heart disease (4.04), or arrhythmia (4.05). There are 4 types of cardiomyopathy: ...