In restrictive cardiomyopathy, which part of the heart is primarily affected?

In restrictive cardiomyopathy, the primary issue lies in the stiffness of the ventricular walls. This condition results from abnormal tissue that replaces normal myocardium, leading to decreased ventricular compliance. As a result, the ventricles do not fill properly during diastole, which can lead to heart failure symptoms.

This stiffness impairs the heart's ability to relax, thereby limiting the volume of blood that can be adequately pumped with each heartbeat. Unlike in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, where the walls become thicker and might lead to obstruction, restrictive cardiomyopathy is characterized by an inability to stretch, which directly affects filling rather than contractility. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention due to heart failure. Understanding this fundamental aspect of restrictive cardiomyopathy is crucial for identifying and managing the condition effectively in clinical practice.