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Read More... May 02, 2022Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a general term for diseases of the heart muscle. The walls of the heart chambers have become stretched, thickened or stiff. Cardiomyopathy will affect the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body.
The abnormalities in the heart muscle are not caused by blocked arteries, congenital heart disease or high blood pressure. Most types of cardiomyopathy are inherited and are found in children or young people.
The different types of cardiomyopathy are:
Dilated cardiomyopathy is when the muscle walls of the heart become stretched and thin, so they can not contract properly to pump blood around the body. This type affects people of all ages but is most likely to be seen in middle-aged men. It is commonly caused by a heart attack or coronary heart disease.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy involves a thickening of the heart muscle, which makes it harder for the heart to work properly. It can develop at any age but tends to be more severe during childhood. It commonly affects people with a family history of the disease.
In restrictive cardiomyopathy the heart muscle becomes stiff and therefore can’t expand properly to fill with blood between heartbeats. It is the least common type of cardiomyopathy, and often affects older people.
A rare form of cardiomyopathy is called arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. It is most often diagnosed in children, although it can develop at any age. The walls of the heart chambers become stiff and rigid and cannot relax properly after contracting. Meaning the heart can not fill up with blood.
Symptoms of cardiomyopathy may not present themselves in the early stages, but once the condition advances, they can include, breathlessness even what at rest, swelling of the legs, ankles and feet. Bloating of the abdomen caused by fluid build-up, coughing whilst lying down, fatigue, rapid heartbeats, chest pressure and discomfort, dizziness or fainting. Symptoms will worsen if they are left untreated.
The cause of cardiomyopathy is often unknown, but contributing factors can include long-term high blood pressure, heart damage from a heart attack, chronic rapid heart rate, heart valve problems, metabolic disorders such as obesity or thyroid disease or iron build up in your heart muscle.
A diagnosis will be made by one of the following tests: a chest x-ray, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram (ECG), treadmill stress test, cardiac catheterization, cardiac MRI, cardiac CT scan, or a blood test.
Treatment for cardiomyopathy aims to reduce your signs and symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening. Some medications may be prescribed to improve your hearts function, improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, slow your heart rate and keep clots from forming.
Some surgical devices such as an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), ventricular assist device (VAD) or a pacemaker may be implanted to help improve your hearts function.
Drugs Used To Treat Cardiomyopathy:
Drugs related to Cardiomyopathy:
Blog Posts Related to Cardiomyopathy:
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