Cardiomyopathy is the thickening and stiffening of heart muscle. In early stages of cardiomyopathy, you may have no symptoms. As the condition worsens, cardiomyopathy symptoms include:

* Breathlessness with exertion or even at rest
* Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet
* Bloating (distention) of the abdomen with fluid
* Fatigue
* Irregular heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering
* Dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting

Heart disease symptoms caused by heart infections
There are three types of heart infections: pericarditis, which affects the tissue surrounding the heart (pericardium); myocarditis, which affects the muscular middle layer of the walls of the heart (myocardium); and endocarditis, which affects the inner membrane that separates the chambers and valves of your heart (endocardium). Varying slightly with each type of infection, heart infection symptoms can include:

* Fever
* Shortness of breath
* Weakness or fatigue
* Swelling in your legs or abdomen
* Changes in your heart rhythm
* Dry or persistent cough
* Skin rashes or unusual spots

Heart disease symptoms caused by valvular heart disease
The heart has four valves — the aortic, mitral, pulmonary and tricuspid valves — that open and close to direct blood flow through your heart. Valves may be damaged by a variety of conditions leading to narrowing (stenosis), leaking (regurgitation or insufficiency) or improper closing (prolapse). Depending on which valve isn't working properly, valvular heart disease symptoms generally include:

* Fatigue
* Shortness of breath
* Irregular heartbeat or heart murmur
* Swollen feet or ankles
* Chest pain
* Fainting (syncope)