Many individuals with RCM experience no symptoms. Symptoms can develop at any age and are primarily associated with heart failure.
Older children and adults
Newborns and babies
Even though some people can have RCM and experience no symptoms, they may still be at risk for complications of the condition. The most serious complications of RCM is sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of heart function caused by a dangerously fast heart rhythm. Unless emergency treatments, including CPR and defibrillation, are initiated immediately, sudden cardiac death can occur. For this reason, it is important for anyone at risk to be followed by a cardiologist with experience in caring for individuals with RCM.
RCM can be inherited. When an individual is diagnosed with RCM, there is a 25 to 30 percent chance that an underlying genetic cause will be identified. Most commonly, the genetic cause results in a condition that runs in a family and affects only the heart. It is possible that parents, siblings, and even aunts/uncles or cousins of an individual diagnosed with RCM may also have a heart muscle condition. If they haven’t had cardiac screening, family members may not know they are affected.
There are other genetic causes of RCM which can be associated with other health problems. These include genetic syndromes. In some people, the cause of RCM is unknown. Other health conditions can cause build-up of substances in the heart muscle which cause it to be rigid resulting in abnormal relaxation. Some of these conditions include:
The diagnosis of RCM is based on family history, medical history, a physical exam, and cardiac testing.
The treatment for individuals with RCM can be challenging. Treatment is focused on minimizing or preventing symptoms, protecting the patient from abnormal heart rhythms and delaying disease progression.
Individuals with RCM need to be followed by a cardiologist on a regular basis. Medications are used to treat symptoms but currently there are not any medications that improve the heart’s ability to relax. The most important treatment is the prevention of abnormal heart rates, or arrhythmias.
Lifestyle changes are recommended for some individuals. Some individuals will be discouraged from exercise, especially competitive sports.
Some individuals with RCM are at increased risk for a sudden cardiac arrest. For individuals determined to be at increased risk of a sudden cardiac arrest, preventive treatments such medication to control heart rate (antiarrhythmic medications) or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be recommended. If the condition is severe, a heart transplant may be considered.
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