Certified Inpatient Coding (CIC) Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The part of the heart that is primarily affected in a patient with cardiomyopathy is the muscle of the heart. Cardiomyopathy refers to a group of diseases that specifically affect the heart muscle, leading to changes in size, shape, or thickness of the heart, which can impair its ability to pump blood effectively.

In cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle may undergo remodeling due to various factors such as genetic predisposition, chronic high blood pressure, or previous heart attacks. As a result, the affected individual may experience symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling due to the heart's diminished capacity to function properly.

The other parts of the heart, such as the valves, blood vessels, and the lining surrounding the heart, may not be involved in the primary pathology of cardiomyopathy. While other heart conditions might affect these areas, cardiomyopathy distinctly centers on the heart muscle itself, highlighting its significant role in the disease process.