Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a problem in which the heart muscle becomes stiff and cannot fully expand to let enough blood enter its chambers. Blood that would normally enter the heart backs up in the circulatory system instead of getting pumped out to the body.

In most cases, restrictive cardiomyopathy leads to heart failure. Heart failure means that your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.

The cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy is often not known. But a number of diseases can lead to restrictive cardiomyopathy. Symptoms of restrictive cardiomyopathy happen if a person gets heart failure. Heart failure symptoms include shortness of breath, feeling weak and tired, and swollen legs and feet.

The treatment of restrictive cardiomyopathy includes medicine and lifestyle changes. Treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms of heart failure and slowing its progression.