Cardiomyopathies - Symptoms, Risk factors and Treatment
Last Updated On Friday, August 12, 2022
Cardiomyopathies in English
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle known as myocardium, that progresses over time. Due to it, the pumping ability of the heart gets compromised that causes further complications like;
Heart failure
Valvular defects of the heart
Irregular heartbeat
Different types of cardiomyopathies occur due to various reasons. In this article, we are going to discuss the types, symptoms, and outlook for cardiomyopathy.
Symptoms
The symptoms of cardiomyopathy resemble that of heart failure because the pumping ability of the heart is compromised in both cases. The signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy are as follows.
Breathlessness on exertion
Fatigue
Weakness
Coughing
Breathlessness on lying down
Weight gain
Swollen ankles, feet, or legs
Loss of appetite
Edema/ swelling of ankles or legs
Chest pain
Fainting attacks
Lightheadedness
Types of cardiomyopathies
If broadly classified, cardiomyopathies can be classified into four types.
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD)
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form of cardiomyopathy. It is a condition in which the heart muscles are too weak to pump blood to the body.
As a response, the heart muscles stretch and get thin. Due to this, the heart chamber enlarged. It can occur due to a genetic tendency or coronary artery disease. Having it means your heart is enlarged as compared to normal.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a fairly common form of cardiomyopathy. It occurs when the heart muscles thicken and prevent the flow of blood through your heart. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can occur due to;
Genetic tendency
Uncontrolled high blood pressure for a long time
Uncontrolled diabetes
Thyroid disease
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD)
It is a rare form of cardiomyopathy that causes abnormal heart rhythm. It can be a cause of sudden death in athletes. In this type, the heart muscle of the right ventricle is replaced by fats and fibrous tissues.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
It is the least common form of cardiomyopathy. It occurs when the ventricles of the heart get stiff and can not relax to fill up the blood. It can occur due to scarring of the heart that occurs after a heart transplant.
Other types of cardiomyopathies are;
Peripartum cardiomyopathy
Ischemic cardiomyopathy
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
Non-compaction cardiomyopathy
Pediatric cardiomyopathy
Risk factors
Cardiomyopathy can occur due to any prior heart disease. It can affect people of all ages. The most common factors that can put you at risk of getting it are;
Alcoholism
Uncontrolled diabetes
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Hemochromatosis
Amyloidosis
Heart attack
Long-term high blood pressure
Family history of cardiomyopathy, sudden cardiac arrest, or heart failure
Coronary artery disease
Severe obesity
Sarcoidosis
Outlook
Cardiomyopathy progresses over time, leading to a life-threatening stage. Medications can help in prolonging your life. Along with it, you must practice some tips that promote heart health. Some of them are as follows.
Stop smoking. If it is hard for you, consult with a therapist. They can help you in getting rid of the addiction by prescribing nicotine gum.
Maintain a healthy weight according to your body mass index. If you are overweight, you can seek help from a nutritionist. They can help in creating a customized diet plan for you according to your needs and health condition.
Limit caffeine intake. Excess caffeine intake is not good for your health as it is a CNS stimulant.
Make sure you get enough sleep. Try to sleep for at least 8 to 9 hours at night time. Go to bed early.
Manage stress by practicing stress-relieving exercises like yoga, meditation, or reading books.
Limit alcohol intake. If you are already diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, you should try to stop consuming it. Alcohol can be highly injurious for your health, especially your heart.
Exercise daily. But it is a big challenge for a person with a damaged heart to exercise. And at the same time, it helps in keeping your heart healthy and losing weight. Therefore, before you decide on an exercise plan for yourself, consult with a healthcare provider before. Try to do that under the supervision of an expert trainer in a well-equiped place.