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Health Tip: Who's at Risk for Cardiomyopathy

Here are major risk factors

(HealthDay News) -- Cardiomyopathy is the umbrella term for various conditions that cause the heart muscle to become enlarged, thicken or stiff.

Not every person with cardiomyopathy has noticeable symptoms, the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says, so it's important to learn the major risk factors. Here's the agency's list:

• Having other family members with a history of cardiomyopathy, heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest.
• Having another condition that can lead to cardiomyopathy, such as a prior heart attack, heart disease or heart inflammation due to a viral infection.
• Being diabetic, having a metabolic disorder or being severely obese.
• Having had a disease that causes heart damage.
• Being a long-time alcoholic.
• Having had high blood pressure for a long time.

March 14, 2011
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