Which term describes the weakening of the heart muscle leading to reduced pumping efficiency?

• A. Asystole
• B. Aortic dissection
• C. Cardiomyopathy
• D. Angina

Answer: (C)

The concept here is a disease of the heart muscle itself. Cardiomyopathy describes conditions where the heart muscle becomes weak or stiff, so its ability to contract and pump blood efficiently decreases. This reduced pumping efficiency shows up as a lower ejection fraction and can lead to heart failure symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath. This fits the description of weakening heart muscle that reduces pumping power. In contrast, asystole means there is no electrical activity and no heartbeat; aortic dissection is a tear in the aorta, causing major bleeding and acute symptoms; and angina is chest pain from reduced blood flow to the heart during activity, not a primary issue of a weakened pump.