The article is a review of the literature, which deals with the classifi cation, etiology, pathogenesis and risk factors of cardiomyopathies, analyzes the results of diagnostics with the use of modern technologies. The presence of cardiomyopathy always means a diffi cult life prognosis in patients. It determines the social signifi cance of the problem connected with this pathology, which is the cause of disability and mortality of most active working age patients.