Show Jump to What is cardiomyopathy? Cardiomyopathy (cardio-my-op-a-thee) is a disease of the heart muscle that reduces the heart’s ability to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body. This can lead to heart failure. Types There are four types of cardiomyopathy. Treatment depends on the type you have and how serious it is. 1. Dilated (congestive) cardiomyopathy This is the most common form of cardiomyopathy. It often occurs as a result of restricted blood flow to the heart muscles (cardiac ischemia). It weakens and thins the walls of the heart chambers. The disease often starts in the left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber of the heart. When the walls dilate and become thin, the inside of the chamber gets larger. The left ventricle beats with less force, so it pumps blood less effectively to the rest of your body. The problem can then spread to the heart’s right ventricle and the atria. Dilated cardiomyopathy mostly affects middle-aged men. Causes include viral infection of the heart muscle, excessive alcohol consumption, cocaine and the abuse of antidepressant drugs. In rare cases it may be caused by pregnancy or connective tissue disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. In most cases of dilated cardiomyopathy, the cause is unknown. 2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) HCM occurs because the heart's walls become thickened, which makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. In obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy the ventricle size remains normal, but thickening of the walls may block blood flow out of the ventricles. Sometimes the wall between the bottom chambers of the heart (the septum) also becomes enlarged and blocks blood flow out of the left ventricle. HCM can lead to the development of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). In rare cases, some people with HCM may experience a cardiac arrest (also known as cardiopulmonary arrest) during vigorous physical activity. HCM is usually an inherited disease caused by gene mutations, but sometimes the cause isn’t clear. Although it can develop at any age, HCM is usually more severe if diagnosed during childhood. 3. Restrictive cardiomyopathy In this type of cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle becomes less elastic which prevents the heart from stretching properly. This limits the amount of blood that can fill the heart's chambers. Restricted cardiomyopathy is a rare type of cardiomyopathy that affects older people most often. It can be caused by other diseases such as hemochromatosis, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, connective tissue disorders or eosinophilic heart disease. 4. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) or Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) ARVC/D is a rare type of cardiomyopathy. The right ventricular muscle is replaced by fat or scar tissue, which interferes with the normal heartbeat rhythm. ARVC/D is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death among young people – particularly young athletes – but it can be present in people at any age and fitness level. ARVC/D is often caused by genetic mutations. The most common symptoms of ARVC/D include palpitations, fainting, chest pain and a rapid, irregular heartbeat. Consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if someone in your immediate family has been diagnosed with ARVC/D. Who is at risk? The risk factors for cardiomyopathy are the conditions or habits that make it more likely that you will develop the disease. Some risk factors can be changed and others cannot. Medical conditions that increase your chances of developing cardiomyopathy:
Risk factors you cannot change:
Risk factors you can change:
Symptoms In the early stages of cardiomyopathy, some people may not have any signs or symptoms. As the disease gets worse, you may experience:
HCM and ARVC/D may cause:
If you have one or more of these symptoms, see your doctor. Get immediate medical help if you experience chest pain, fainting or difficulty breathing. Treatment The goal of cardiomyopathy treatment is to reduce your symptoms. Your treatment plan will depend on what type of cardiomyopathy you have, how serious it is and what symptoms you are experiencing. Your doctor will suggest medications, surgery, lifestyle changes or a combination of the three to manage your condition. Medications If you have an underlying medical condition causing cardiomyopathy, then it is important to treat the underlying disease. If your healthcare team knows the cause of your cardiomyopathy, then it will be treated immediately with the appropriate medications. Medications include:
Here are some tips for managing your medications. Surgery and other procedures Surgery may be an option for you. A surgically implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be necessary to manage heart rhythm problems. It can deliver an electric shock to control an abnormal rhythm. An implanted pacemaker may be recommended to coordinate the contractions between the left and right sides of your heart. In a small number of cases, a heart transplant may be necessary. Lifestyle If cardiomyopathy is properly treated and controlled, many people with the condition can manage with just a few changes to their normal lifestyle. Some people might need to make major adjustments to their lifestyle. If you are told to limit or avoid some sports or activities, there are other light-to-moderate physical activities that can help you to remain healthy and avoid other heart problems. It is important to talk to your cardiologist about how you can live a healthy, active lifestyle without risking further complications. A dietitian can advise you about healthy eating. They can provide tips to manage your fluid and salt intake to help your heart. Giving up alcohol completely is a good idea. Losing weight can also help relieve symptoms by reducing the burden on your heart. Talk to your doctor about the lifestyle changes that will benefit you the most. Complications Cardiomyopathy may lead to other heart conditions.
Living with cardiomyopathy It’s normal to feel worried or afraid after a diagnosis of heart disease. Find someone you can turn to for emotional support like a family member, friend, doctor, mental health worker or support group. Talking about your challenges and feelings could be an important part of your journey to recovery.
Looking for support?Check out our support & recovery sectionWhat are the three types of cardiomyopathy?The main types of cardiomyopathy include the following1-4:. Dilated: where one of the pumping chambers (ventricles) of the heart is enlarged. ... . Hypertrophic: where the heart muscle is thickened. ... . Arrhythmogenic: where the disease causes irregular heartbeats or rhythms.. Which type of cardiomyopathy is rare?Restrictive cardiomyopathy
This rare type of cardiomyopathy causes the ventricles to stiffen, but the walls of the heart do not thicken. Because of this, the ventricles don't relax and don't fill with enough blood to pump to the rest of the body.
What type of cardiomyopathy is most commonly associated with sudden death of?Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic cardiovascular disease[1] and is associated with sudden death, especially in young adults[1-3].
What is the most common treatment for cardiomyopathy?Treatment options for cardiomyopathy. Lifestyle changes. Stopping alcohol use. Monitoring salt intake.. Medicines. Lower blood pressure. ... . Surgically implanted device that helps maintain proper heart rhythm.. Ablation procedure. Removes extra heart tissue to reduce thickening. ... . Heart transplant (for a severely damaged heart). |
