Heart Muscle Disease
Also known as: Cardiomyopathy
What
is it?
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart
muscle. The walls of the heart become rigid, and
the heart loses its ability to pump blood. In some
instances, heart rhythm is disturbed, leading to
irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias.
Who
gets it?
Cardiomyopathy affects about 50,000 children
and adult in America. While relatively rare,
cardiomyopothy is the leading reason for heart
transplantation.
What
causes it?
The cause of cardiomyopathy is often unknown.
The rigidity of the heart walls may be caused by
fibrosis, the replacement of muscle cells with
tough, fibrous tissue. In some disorders, proteins
and other substances are deposited in the heart
wall. Cardiomyopathy occasionally occurs as a
complication of pregnancy and childbirth. Other
factors include various infections, mostly viral,
which lead to an inflammation of the heart muscle
(myocarditis), toxins and heredity. Additionally,
some drugs used to treat another medical condition
can damage the heart and produce cardiomyopathy.
What
are the symptoms?
Children diagnosed with cardiomyopathy fail to
thrive, feel tired and weak and have shortness of breath
during times of activity. If blood is backing up in the
circulation they may also experience edema (large amounts
of fluid in tissues) of the legs and feet.
How is it diagnosed?
As the heart deteriorates further and the pulse becomes
weaker, a doctor may perform a cardiac examination to
reveal an irregular heartbeat. The doctor may also perform
an echocardiography, which is a test that uses sound waves
to make images of the heart. These images provide
information about the structures of the heart and its
heart valves. Echocardiography can also be used to find
out how much blood the heart is pumping. Computed
tomography scan (CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
are imaging tests that can also provide information about
the structure of the heart. Cardiac catheterization may
also be needed to confirm a diagnosis or cause.
What
is the treatment?
Treatment of a patient with cardiomyopathy may
reduce or stop the damage to the heart, but existing
damage cannot be reversed. A doctor may prescribe
medications such as diuretics, vasodilators, digitalis,
and calcium or beta-blockers to lessen the workload on the
heart and to control the heart rhythm. A heart transplant
may be necessary for patients who develop severe heart
failure.
Self-care
tips
Early diagnosis and treatment for
cardiomyopathy is necessary to prevent or slow the
development of the disease. If a child is
experiencing symptoms of shortness of breath,
tiredness and weakness, he or she should be taken
to a pediatrician for a complete examination.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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