RCM is a disease in which the heart's ventricles (lower chambers) become rigid and can’t fill with blood.

Abnormal tissue, like scar tissue, replaces the normal heart muscle. This replacement reduces blood flow in the heart over time. This condition can lead to arrhythmias or heart failure.

RCM is also known as idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy or infiltrative cardiomyopathy. Its symptoms are sometimes confused with those of constrictive pericarditis.

Although most people with RCM can live a normal life, the condition can be serious for some. It is associated with a higher risk of sudden death, even at a young age.

RCM is a rare disease that accounts for about 5% of all cardiomyopathy diagnoses. Certain diseases, conditions and factors can cause RCM, including:

Cancer Treatment

Some cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, can lead to RCM due to tissue damage.

Heart Disease

Several heart diseases can cause issues that lead to RCM, including:

• Carcinoid heart disease (carcinoid tumor) 
• Cardiac hemochromatosis (too much iron in the heart) 
• Cardiac sarcoidosis (inflammation due to granulomas) 
• Cardiac amyloidosis (amyloid protein buildup in the heart) 
• Diseases of the endocardium 

Scleroderma 

Scleroderma is a condition that causes buildup of collagen (a hard, fibrous tissue) throughout the body. This hard scar tissue leads to poor blood flow and can cause RCM.

RCM can affect individuals of any race, sex or age. Those most likely to have RCM often have certain underlying conditions.

Some of these conditions may be genetic or more common in certain populations. For example, sarcoidosis is most prevalent among Black women.

But risk factors for RCM tend to be acquired rather than genetic, including:

Your physician will do a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, family medical history and recent symptoms. A cardiologist, a physician who specializes in heart conditions, will diagnose and treat RCM.

Your physician may order one or multiple tests to confirm cardiomyopathy and any conditions related to the disease. These tests can include:

• Ambulatory monitors (Holter monitor) that record your heart’s activity over a period of time 
• Blood and urine tests to check your iron and urine protein levels 
• Cardiac catheterization, a procedure in which physicians place a tube (catheter) in your coronary arteries to understand how your heart is working  
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) and Doppler study to detect your heart’s electrical activity and blood flow through your vessels 
• Genetic testing can show if the disease runs in your family. It can reveal the chances of parents passing the genes for the disease to children.  
• Stress tests determine if physical exertion triggers or worsens your RCM symptoms. They often involve a treadmill or stationary bike.

 Your physician may also request imaging tests, such as: 

• Chest CT Scan that uses X-rays to collect images of the heart and chest. It helps assess the size and function of your heart and heart valves. 
• Chest X-ray takes pictures of your chest’s insides and shows if your heart is enlarged 
• Coronary angiography, a procedure that injects dye into your coronary arteries. The dye can be seen on an x-ray, allowing your healthcare professional to study blood flow among your heart and blood vessels.
• Echocardiogram, a scan that uses sound waves to reveal how blood travels through your heart.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) that shows your physician detailed pictures of your heart. It also shows how well your heart’s chambers and valves are pumping blood. 
• Nuclear heart scans (MUGA, RNV, PET) are used to show your cardiologist how the blood flows to your heart. It also shows how your heart pumps while under rest and stress. 

RCM is difficult to treat. Your physician will work with you to treat the underlying cause of your condition.

The main goal of treatment is to improve your quality of life and control symptoms with the help of medications and lifestyle changes.

Medications

The following medications may be used to manage RCM symptoms:

• Blood thinning medicines
• Chemotherapy (in some situations)
• Diuretics
• Medicines to prevent abnormal heart rhythms
• Therapeutic phlebotomy (blood removal for hemochromatosis)

Lifestyle Changes

If a physician diagnoses you with RCM, heart-healthy choices can boost your health, such as:

• Limiting fluid and salt (sodium) intake
• Exercising with care (talk with your physician beforehand)
• Limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption
• Maintaining healthy weight
• Managing chronic conditions like diabetes or sleep apnea
• Quitting smoking or other tobacco use

Learn about heart health in our health education classes