What Teachers Should Know Cardiomyopathy is when the heart muscle becomes weak and enlarged, which makes it hard to pump blood through the body. There are many types of cardiomyopathies. Some make the heart muscle thicker, while others stretch the heart muscle thinner. As a result, the heart muscle doesn't work as well. Most of the time, the cause of the cardiomyopathy isn't known. Cardiomyopathy can run in families or happen as a result of infections, nutritional deficiencies, or other conditions. If it's not treated, cardiomyopathy can lead to a life-threatening arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), heart valve problems, blood clots, and heart failure. Cardiomyopathy is the top reason for heart transplants in kids and teens. Signs and symptoms associated with cardiomyopathy include: being very tired after normal activity chest pain or discomfort dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting shortness of breath irregular heartbeat Students with cardiomyopathy might need to: take medications to reduce symptoms visit the school nurse to take medications have seating closest to a bathroom if they take blood pressure medicine that causes frequent urination use elevators, wheelchairs, or assistive devices, and need extra time to get to classrooms They also might: have an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker. If so, they might not be able to play contact sports or do other activities. wear a ventricular assistive device (VAD) to help with circulation miss class time due to doctor appointments have a special diet and need to carry a water bottle throughout the day have an individualized exercise plan (IEP) based on the child's abilities and limitations, as set by the doctor be smaller than their peers, making them a target for bullying Schools might be required to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and have an easy-to-access automated external defibrillator (AED). What Teachers Can Do Support students with cardiomyopathy by encouraging them to join in all classroom activities, making changes as needed. They might need special considerations for missed instruction time, assignments, and testing. Ask about any doctor-recommended restrictions before having students with cardiomyopathy do physical activities. Usually, they're encouraged to get modest exercise. Watch for symptoms that need quick medical care, including trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Teachers should know CPR and also know about emergency care plans in case of a cardiac emergency. Back to Articles Related Articles A to Z: Cardiomyopathy Learn about cardiomyopathy, a disease in which the heart muscle becomes weak and enlarged, making it difficult to pump blood through the body. Read More Heart and Circulatory System The heart and circulatory system are our body's lifeline, delivering blood to the body's tissues. Brush up on your ticker with this body basics article. Read More When Your Child Needs a Heart Transplant If your child needs a heart transplant, you're probably feeling lots of emotions. Fortunately, many kids who undergo heart transplants go on to live normal, healthy lives. Read More Heart and Circulatory System The heart and circulatory system (also called the cardiovascular system) make up the network that delivers blood to the body's tissues. Read More Your Heart & Circulatory System Your heart is a hard-working muscle. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More The Heart Your heart beats and sends oxygen throughout your entire body. Find out how it works and how heart problems can be fixed. Read More Movie: Heart & Circulatory System Watch this movie about your heart and circulatory system, which sends blood throughout your body. Read More Congenital Heart Defects Heart defects happen when there's a problem with a baby's heart development during pregnancy. Most heart defects can be treated during infancy. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.