The short answer is: we don't know. Peripartum cardiomyopathy tends to occur in women without a history of heart disease. Recent research suggests that PPCM may be caused by the overactivity of certain hormones that cause damage to the blood vessels in the heart. Some research suggests that PPCM may be caused by an abnormal immune response, prior viral illness, or nutritional deficiency.
Most women with peripartum cardiomyopathy do not have a family history of cardiomyopathy. About 1 in 10 women with peripartum cardiomyopathy carry a genetic mutation that puts them at risk for cardiomyopathy. Although this may explain some of the risk, other factors are likely involved. Joining the PPCM Registry will help us understand more about who develops peripartum cardiomyopathy and what factors help with recovery.
