The
Cardiomyopathy
Association

Newly diagnosed?

We recognise that being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy can be a very worrying time for you and your family.You may feel you have too little information about the condition. You may have many questions you want answers for. You may feel very alone. You may also have searched 'cardiomyopathy' on the internet and found information which is both confusing and alarming. There is a great deal of inaccurate information about cardiomyopathy on the internet so take time to read the section on cardiomyopathy related to your diagnosis.

We can help in many ways by providing you with information on cardiomyopathy, answering your questions and putting you in touch with others who are living with the condition.

Cardiomyopathy is diagnosed in various ways. Sometimes it is due to symptoms you have experienced, as a result of a heart check or, tragically, following the sudden death of a family member from the condition.

The Cardiomyopathy Association is here to help you with information and support.

How the CMA can help you

This website contains a wealth of information on the different types of cardiomyopathy. We can also provide you with information booklets, CD Roms and videos which will help you to understand cardiomyopathy.

The CMA can offer impartial and sensible advice. If you have a question or just want to discuss your diagnosis and situation you can:

• Contact our free helpline on  0800 018 1024    . This is open on weekdays from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back the next working day 
• Use the Helpdesk facility on this website
• Send us an email to info@cardiomyopathy.org

We can put you in touch with someone who is also diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. They can help you to understand the condition and offer you the benefit of their experience.

• You can register on the CMA Message Board and make contact with other people in all parts of the world diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.
• You can join the CMA and receive our quarterly newsletter which contains information on medical issues related to cardiomyopathy, features on other people’s experiences with the condition and updates on our work as we seek to raise the profile of cardiomyopathy and improve the services for those affected by the condition.
• We can put you in touch with a key contact, one of our network of people who offer one-to-one support on the telephone. We have 35 key contacts around the country. They have the condition themselves or have family members affected.
• We can tell you about the regional meetings we organise throughout the UK. These include presentations on the condition, latest treatments and reseach by cardiologists experienced in treating people with cardiomyopathy. The meetings also give you the opportunity to ask questions and meet others diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.
• We can keep you informed about our support groups which meet regularly in many parts of the country.

The care you should expect

Services will vary in diffrerent hospitals, but a general outline of the care you should expect following a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy is available here

Dedicated to Damian McLoughlin, who died age 20 of cardiomyopathy. This site is supported by Damian's family and friends.