Cardiomyopathies remain a serious yet underrecognized area within cardiology in the Netherlands. Despite growing knowledge of their genetic and pathophysiological mechanisms, timely identification in clinical practice continues to pose a significant challenge. Zorg voor de Hartspier — a collaborative initiative of healthcare professionals, patient organizations, and professional associations — aims to bridge this gap.
To achieve this, Zorg voor de Hartspier focuses on enhancing factual insight into cardiomyopathies in the Netherlands. Central to this effort is an impact map that quantifies disease burden and societal impact, drawing on both scientific literature and expert opinion.1
The findings reveal that cardiomyopathies exert a profound influence on healthcare and society, with considerable economic implications. Thousands of healthcare professionals are engaged in cardiovascular care, including cardiomyopathy management. These conditions are linked to substantial healthcare costs, contribute to socioeconomic disparities due to differences in financial resilience, and result in productivity losses for patients and their family members.1
Gender differences are also becoming increasingly evident. Women’s hearts differ from men’s, and symptoms of cardiovascular disease often present differently in women.2-4 This frequently leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment for cardiomyopathies, with women typically experiencing more severe symptoms by the time they are diagnosed.5 The impact map shows that this disparity is reflected in a relatively higher rate of hospital admissions among women in the Netherlands.1 Encouragingly, awareness is growing, and research continues to shed light on gender-specific risk factors.
The impact map provides a robust, evidence-based foundation for dialogue with stakeholders with the goal to reduce disease burden and lessen the societal impact for individuals living with hereditary cardiovascular conditions.
Read more or download the impact map
References:
- Zorg voor de hartspier. Cardiomyopathieën in Nederland. Een inventarisatie van de maatschappelijke impact van cardiomyopathieën in Nederland. Okt 2025. https://cardiomyopathiesmatter.org/national-initiatives/the-netherlands/
- Vrouwenhart, HartKliniek 2022. Beschikbaar op: https://www.hartkliniek.com/zorgaanbod/vrouwenhart
- Men vs. Women: How Their Hearts Differ and What It Means – Cardiology Associates of Michigan – Michigan’s Best Heart Doctors. Cardiology Associates Of Michigan – Michigan’s Best Heart Doctors. 2019. Available at: https://www.cardofmich.com/men-women-heart-differences/
- Hart- en vaatziekten bij vrouwen: signalen om te (her)kennen, Ziekenhuischeck. Available at: Hart- en vaatziekten bij vrouwen: signalen om te (her)kennen | Ziekenhuischeck
- Lee HJ, Kim HK, Lee SC, Ommen SR, Kim J, Park JB, e.a. Age-related sex differences in the outcomes of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. PLoS ONE. 25 februari 2022;17(2):e0264580. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264580
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