Prognosis and duration of disabling effects

The following gives details of the medical course of each type of cardiomyopathy.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Prognosis is hugely variable. Life expectancy is likely to be reduced, especially if heart failure symptoms are present. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common reason for heart transplant.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

• Prognosis is variable, but often there is a slow deterioration; many patients are symptomless for much of their lives.
• Sudden death may occur at any age, but the annual mortality is highest in children and adolescents (up to 6%). It usually occurs during or just after strong physical activity. About 4% of people, overall, with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy die each year.
• An Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) is felt to be an effective treatment for the prevention of sudden death and therefore should be offered to high - risk cases. This is because it is thought that ventricular arrhythmias are the cause of many cases of sudden death.
• Amiodarone is used in less risky cases of sudden death.
• Death from chronic heart failure is less common.
• No pharmacological treatment will change the clinical course of the disease, though symptoms (such as in atrial fibrillation and heart failure) may be alleviated.

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

This disease usually occurs in elderly patients. Life expectancy is reduced. Heart Transplantation may be indicated, but for young patients only.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

Prognosis is hugely variable because of the different degrees of severity of the disease. Many people are virtually unaffected but some are more seriously affected and may be at risk of sudden death. The condition may progress or it may improve.

If evidence suggests that the customer has heart failure, which may have resulted from cardiomyopathy then follow Heart Failure guidance.

If evidence suggests that the customer has had a stroke, which may have resulted from cardiomyopathy then follow Stroke guidance.

All information must be taken into account when considering the duration of disabling effects and the duration of disabling effects must be based on the particular circumstances of the individual claimant.