Ischemic cardiomyopathy (IC) occurs when your heart muscle becomes weakened. It can result from a heart attack or coronary artery disease. Healthy lifestyle choices can help lower your risk of complications and reduce your chances of developing IC in the first place.

Cardiomyopathy means disease of the heart muscle. It affects the muscle of your heart and reduces its ability to pump blood to the rest of your body.

It's possible to have early-stage heart disease with no symptoms. If blood flow becomes impaired due to coronary artery disease, you may experience:

• Extreme fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Swelling in your abdomen
• Cough or congestion, caused by fluid in your lungs
• Difficulty sleeping
• Breathlessness upon exertion
• Arrhythmias

Diagnosing cardiomyopathy may require several tests:

• Blood tests to measure cholesterol and triglycerides
• Imaging tests: X-ray, CT scan, or MRI
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Echocardiogram to evaluate heart function using sound waves
• Cardiac catheterization including coronary angiography
• Stress test or treadmill test

Your doctor must first address the underlying cause. Most often the culprit is coronary artery disease. Doctors may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery or other procedures.