JANUARY–MARCH 2024 HEARTBEAT® 11 About 24 hours after this procedure, Karlin’s doctor said something that blew her mind. “He walked in and said, ‘Start rebuilding; you’re now capable of running a marathon,’” she says. While she hasn’t yet run a marathon, she walks in one during an annual event in her city. She’s mastered other physical feats she never thought possible, too, including the hill near her home. “Before, I would have to stop halfway up to catch my breath and avoid passing out before continuing to the top,” she says. “Now, I’m impressed every single time when I walk at a regular pace up the hill and don’t have to stop halfway along,” she says. Loving her new lease on life, Karlin sometimes walks faster or finds other ways to spice up her phys- ical activity. She’s on blood thinners for atrial fibrillation (A-fib), but outside of that, she says everything has been good since the septal myectomy. “I’m keeping up with the rest of the world,” she says. “And when we go for walks, my adult kids are saying, ‘Mom, slow down!’ ” Photo courtesy of Sara Karlin Once Sara Karlin received an accurate diagnosis and subse- quent treatment for hypertrophic cardio- myopathy, she has been living a healthy and active life. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) The most common type of cardio- myopathy, DCM occurs when one of the bottom two chambers of the heart, called ventricles, is enlarged — usually the left ventricle that pumps blood to the body. DCM is more common in males, and it’s also the most common form of cardiomyopathy in children. It can occur at any age and, in some cases, it can be an inherited disease. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy This can occur when the heart muscle becomes stiff and the heart can’t fill with blood to pump to the body. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the rarest type, and it is most commonly seen in older adults. It may develop due to amyloidosis (a problem with the blood cells), hemochromatosis (in which too much iron builds up in the blood) or other underlying health conditions. Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy This rare type of cardiomyopathy causes the muscle in the right lower ventricle to break down over time, possibly leading to irregular heartbeats or rhythms and sudden cardiac death. This condition is often caused by genetic changes. Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) This rare but serious type of restric- tive cardiomyopathy occurs when a protein called transthyretin (TTR) folds incorrectly and sometimes builds up in the heart, nerves and other organs. As a result, the heart can become unable to pump blood adequately, ultimately leading to heart failure. ATTR-CM is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. It may occur for no known reason or it may be due to genetics. In the U.S., Black people are more likely to develop the genetic form of ATTR-CM. Peripartum Cardiomyopathy This type of cardiomyopathy can occur during late pregnancy or up to a year postpartum. In this case, the heart muscle weakens and fluid may build up in the lungs. If you have any symptoms of cardio- myopathy during the end of your pregnancy or after giving birth, seek immediate medical attention. OtHer TypEs of Cardiomyopathies In addition to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), there are several other types of cardiomyopathies. While all cardiomyopathies involve the heart muscle, each type has its own unique characteristics and causes that can make it difficult for the heart to pump blood to the body.
