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Living with Endomyocardial fibrosis

A heart condition in which the inner heart lining thickens with scar-like tissue, often in children.

Understanding Endomyocardial fibrosis

Endomyocardial fibrosis is a heart disease in which the inner lining of the heart (endocardium) thickens with scar-like tissue.

It often involves the heart valves between the upper and lower chambers and can cause blood to leak backward. It most commonly occurs in children living within 15 degrees of the equator.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet.

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How is this condition diagnosed and monitored?
Are my heart valves affected?
Which specialists should I see for my heart?

Quick facts

GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.

Also known as: african endomyocardial fibrosis; endocardial fibrosis; endomyocardial sclerosis; obscure african cardiomyopathy

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Endomyocardial fibrosisGARD ID 6340 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Endomyocardial fibrosis.

Explore the Endomyocardial fibrosis blog

Explore research for Endomyocardial fibrosis

Explore actively recruiting Endomyocardial fibrosis studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Endomyocardial fibrosis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Endomyocardial fibrosis studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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