ABSTRACT
Heart muscle disease (HMD) includes many disorders, but this block will focus on cardiomyopathies and myocarditis. HMD is detected surprisingly commonly, usually secondary to ECG change identified during aircrew medical examinations. Cardiomyopathies are often detected in asymptomatic aircrew; however, individuals may present with palpations, dyspnoea or with reduced exercise tolerance. HMD should be considered in aircrew with family history of sudden cardiac death, implantable cardiac defibrillator implantation or cardiac transplantation. HMD may be associated with increased risk of distraction and incapacitation in aircrew, even in mild disease. Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease that is characterized by ventricular chamber enlargement and contractile dysfunction. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is defined as myocardial hypertrophy, most commonly affecting the interventricular septum but with variable distribution, following exclusion of hypertension, infiltrative disease and aortic stenosis. Myocarditis and myo-pericarditis can both cause acute chest pain and be confused with ischaemic heart disease.
