Which underlying condition is the most common cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy?

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is characterized by the heart's inability to fill adequately due to rigid ventricular walls, leading to impaired diastolic function. The most common underlying condition associated with restrictive cardiomyopathy is amyloidosis. This is a systemic disorder caused by the accumulation of amyloid protein deposits in various tissues, including the heart. Infiltration of the heart muscle by amyloid disrupts normal function, leading to thickening and stiffening of the ventricular walls.

In typical cases of amyloidosis, the deposits lead to progressive diastolic dysfunction, manifesting as heart failure symptoms. This condition is particularly prevalent among older individuals, contributing to its status as a leading cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy in clinical practice.

Other conditions, while they can cause restrictive cardiomyopathy, do not occur as frequently as amyloidosis. For example, Chagas disease is associated with a specific form of heart disease due to Trypanosoma cruzi infection, but it typically results in dilated cardiomyopathy rather than restrictive forms. Alcohol abuse can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy as well and does not commonly result in the restrictive type. Pregnancy can cause transient changes in cardiac function, but significant long-lasting restrictive cardiomyopathy is not typical in