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What is Cardiomyopathy? |
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Symptoms
Cardiomyopathy is an ailment of the heart muscle which may have slight to non-existent symptoms during the early stages, but these become noticeable as the disease progresses. The usual indications of cardiomyopathy include breathlessness following physical exertion, or even while the patient is at rest; swollenness of the extremities, particularly the legs, ankles, and feet; a bloating of the abdomen due to fluid distention; feebleness; an intermittent heart rate, with quick, intense, and fluttering beats; and dizziness, giddiness, and fainting. Cardiomyopathy is classified into three types (dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive), but the symptoms only worsen without treatment, regardless of which type a patient bears. The rate at which the condition worsens varies between individuals as well.
Causes
The causes of cardiomyopathy are relatively unknown, although doctors can identify the factors which contribute to its development. Pre-existing conditions like a long history of high blood pressure, an incurred injury to heart tissue from a past heart attack, and metabolic disorders like diabetes can be potential causes for cardiomyopathy. Other factors include heart valve problems, a chronically rapid heart rate, nutritional deficiencies (like thiamin, selenium, and magnesium), and alcohol abuse; pregnancy, or viral infections which cause injury to the heart; substance abuse, particularly with cocaine and antidepressant medication; and the use of certain cancer drugs as part of chemotherapy.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis necessitates that the patient first undergoes a thorough medical consultation, where the doctor takes individual and family medical history in consideration. The doctor may also inquire as to what conditions result in the emergence of symptoms; if a case of cardiomyopathy is suspected, a battery of tests may be recommended to confirm the prognosis. These diagnostic tests may involve chest x-rays, which determine the size of the heart; an echocardiogram, which employs sound waves for examining both the size and motion of the heart; an electrocardiogram which detects abnormalities in heart rhythms; and a cardiac catheterization/biopsy, wherein a thin tube is introduced from the groin, through the blood vessels, into the heart, and a cardiac tissue sample is retrieved for laboratory analysis. Pictures of the interior walls of the arteries may also be taken during this procedure.
Treatment Info
The treatment for cardiomyopathy differs depending on which of the three types the patient has, but the purpose is more for symptom management and for the prevention of complications. Those diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy may take medications (ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin receptor blockers, or beta blocker), use surgically-implanted devices (pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators), or resort to both options. Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may also undergo the aforementioned methods; in advanced conditions, a surgeon may take out portions of the thick muscle wall which constricts blood flow, or a doctor may inject alcohol to break down heart muscles (alcohol ablation). Restrictive cardiomyopathy therapy focuses on improving on current symptoms, and the doctor may advise the patient to monitor his or her weight, and salt/water intake. Diuretics may be prescribed for retention problems, and medications for lowering blood pressure when there’s a need to regulate fast or abnormal heart rhythms. In extreme cases when medication is ineffective, heart transplants are opted for as a last resort.
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