Cardiomyopathy
What is It?
Cardiomyopathy
simply means that your heart muscle and pumping power of your heart is weaker than normal.
A weakened heart does not pump enough blood throughout your body. Blood carries the oxygen
and nutrients necessary to meet the entire body’s needs. When you heart is weakened
and does not pump as it should, it may cause cardiomyopathy.
There are four
types of cardiomyopathies. Your physician will talk with you about the type of
cardiomyopathy you have.
Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy. In
medicine, "idiopathic" refers to a condition that has an unknown cause, and when
something is dilated, it is enlarged. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy refers to the
condition of the heart being enlarged for reasons that are not known to your physician.
Hypertrophic
Cardiomyopathy. This occurs
when the walls of the heart increase in thickness and the ventricles inside the heart
walls shrink. When this happens, only small amounts of blood can be pumped with each heart
beat. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is also known as "idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic
stenosis" or "IHSS."
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy. This is
characterized by loss of the usual elastic properties of the primary chambers of the
heart. With restrictive cardiomyopathy, the walls of the heart have become thickened and
stiff. Because the walls of the heart are no longer elastic, blood cannot completely fill
the ventricles.
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy. Ischemia is
a temporary reduction of blood flow because an area is blocked or narrowed. Ischemic
cardiomyopathy can occur after a "heart attack," because the heart muscle has
become weaker.
What Are the
Symptoms?
You may
experience any combination of the following:
a run down, tired
feeling, no energy;
weight gain or
edema (caused by retaining extra water in your feet, hands, or stomach);
chest pain
because of extra heart beats (palpitations or fluttering in chest);
a difficulty in
breathing, especially when walking, carrying groceries, climbing stairs, or after simple
household cleaning;
a dry, hacking
cough;
dizziness,
lightheadedness, or "passing out" (fainting);
belly, leg, ankle
and/or feet swelling, pain, or tenderness in abdomen, nausea;
loss of appetite.
Diagnosis
The diagnostic tests ordered by your physician may include the
following:
Treatment
Medical therapy includes treatment with medications, diet restriction,
and weight reduction. Your physician will tailor your treatment to your individual needs.
Medication(s). Taking
medication every day is important in treating your heart condition. Depending on your
symptoms and which cardiomyopathy you have, your physician may start treatment by ordering
one medicine and then adding others later.
The medications used to treat cardiomyopathy attempt to increase the
amount of blood pumped out by the heart with each beat. This called "cardiac
output." The benefits of these medications will be lost or reduced if you do not take
your medicine as ordered.
- Skipping doses can cause serious problems. Take your medications as
prescribed.
- Taking more medication than ordered can cause serious problems. Take
your medications as prescribed
Diuretics or "water
pills" help remove extra water and salt from the body by making you urinate more
often. This type of medication keeps fluid from collecting in your feet, ankles, legs, and
belly. Skipping doses can cause swelling in these parts of your body and difficulty with
breathing when lying down or during physical activity. Examples of diuretics include Lasix
and Bumex.
Digitalis is a medication
to strengthen each heartbeat, allowing your heart to pump more blood, which may improve
your ability to do physical activity. Examples of digitalis include Lanoxin and
Digoxin.
ACE inhibitors ACE inhibitors are drugs to
relax your blood vessels and make it easier for your heart to pump. For some people, it
may take time before feeling better from taking these medications. Examples of ACE
inhibitors include Captopril, Vasotec, and Lisinopril.
Other drugs may include:
- an anticoagulant (blood thinner), such as Coumadin,
- nitroglycerin,
- medicine to regulate heart rhythm (such as
Amiodarone).
Diet Restrictions. In addition to taking medications, you must change your diet. Because
sodium (salt) causes water to build up in the body, you must restrict salt intake. If you
do not, your feet, ankles, legs, and belly may swell, and you may find it hard to breathe.
If these symptoms become severe, hospital treatment may be required.
Be especially aware of foods with hidden salt, such as frozen or canned
foods, cheeses, and lunch meats. Foods such as hot dogs, salami and canned soups often
contain a lot of salt. Check the nutrition labels for salt content. The usual
recommendation- is no more than 2,000 mg of sodium per day.
Alcohol. If you
drink alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, etc.) you need to stop. These can make your heart
weaker.
Weight. Watch your
weight. Obtain an accurate scale and weigh yourself each morning before eating breakfast,
but after urinating. If you gain 3 to 5 pounds within 2 to 3 days, call your doctor. The
weight gain may mean your body is retaining fluid.
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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