Cardiomyopathy is a condition that is a disease of the heart that causes it to be hard for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. This condition can actually lead to heart failure. There are three types of Cardiomyopathies, and treatment can vary depending on which kind of Cardiomyopathy is present.
The symptoms of Cardiomyopathy are:
Dilated Cardiomyopathy happens when the left ventricle cannot effectively pump blood out of the heart. This type of Cardiomyopathy is most common in middle-aged patients and most common in men. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is caused by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, which makes it hard for the heart to work. This condition can happen at any age.
The last type of Cardiomyopathy is Restrictive Cardiomyopathy which is caused by the heart muscle becoming stiff and less flexible. This condition can often occur without evident cause.
The risk factors for this heart condition are:
To diagnose this condition, providers will often order a chest X-ray to check on the size of the heart. An echocardiogram or electrocardiogram might be ordered to look at the function of the heart as it is beating. Treadmill stress tests can also be helpful in identifying exercise capacity and any irregular heart rhythms that are induced by exertion.
Cardiac catheterization can also be done, which requires that a small tube is inserted into the groin and threaded through the blood vessels to the heart. The pressure inside the chambers of the heart can be measured with this test, and the circulation of blood can be tracked as well. Blocked blood vessels are often revealed with this test as well.
If your provider thinks that your other organs have been impacted negatively by your Cardiomyopathy, blood tests can be used to check for organ damage. Genetic screening can also help to diagnose people early who have a family history of this condition.
There is often no way to prevent Cardiomyopathy. If you have a family history of this condition, you should speak with your doctor so that you can be monitored for symptoms or warning signs of this condition. You can also make sure that you eat a healthy diet and get enough rest. Avoiding stress and making sure that you get support for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes can also help. Avoiding alcohol and street drugs can also help to prevent Cardiomyopathy.
Treatment is focused on preventing worsening symptoms and managing the current health issues that patients are experiencing. Medications that help the heart to pump blood more effectively and which can improve blood flow are often given to patients with Cardiomyopathy. Lowering blood pressure is often also done with medication.
Some patients will need support to prevent blood clots and to remove extra fluid from the body as well. If the heart rate is too rapid, medications can be given which will slow it down.
There are surgical procedures that can be done, such as implanting devices that maintain the blood flow to the heart and which can also manage the speed with which the heart beats. Pacemakers and ventricular assist devices are commonly used in these patients. Sometimes ablation procedures can be successful as well. Some patients end up needing a heart transplant or open-heart surgery to treat Cardiomyopathy.