Conditions that affect the myocardium tissue are referred to as cardiomyopathy. Your heart may stiffen, grow bigger or thicker, or develop scar tissue as a result of cardiomyopathy. This makes it difficult for your heart to adequately pump blood to all your body parts. Your heart may deteriorate over time, and cardiomyopathy may result in heart failure. Some cardiomyopathy sufferers eventually require a heart transplant.
There are 4 types of Cardiomyopathy:
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: This type results in aberrant heart muscle thickening, which makes the heart’s job more difficult. It mostly affects the heart’s main pumping chamber’s muscle (left ventricle). Although hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can manifest at any age, it usually worsens if it does so in childhood. Most of those with this kind of cardiomyopathy have something related to genetics in the family. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been connected to some genetic abnormalities.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: The left ventricle, the heart’s primary pumping chamber, enlarges (dilates) in this type of cardiomyopathy and is unable to efficiently pump blood out of the heart. Although this variety can afflict people of all ages, it tends to affect men more frequently and most frequently affects middle-aged individuals. Coronary artery disease or a heart attack are the most frequent causes. Genetic changes, however, may also be to blame.
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia: In this uncommon form of cardiomyopathy, the muscle in the right ventricle, the lower chamber of the heart, is replaced by scar tissue, which can cause irregular heartbeats. It is frequently caused by genetic alterations.
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: This condition prevents the heart muscle from expanding and filling with blood in between heartbeats because it stiffens and loses flexibility. Although it can affect anyone, elderly people are more frequently affected by this least prevalent type of cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy can be the result of a heart illness that affects other parts of the body, such as amyloidosis, or it can develop for no apparent reason (idiopathic).
There may be no indications or symptoms of cardiomyopathy in the early stages. However, when the illness worsens, several indications and symptoms, such as:
If not treated, symptoms and signs can worsen. It depends on the individual whether the illness becomes worse swiftly or gradually.
Your doctor will probably conduct a physical checkup and inquire about your individual and antecedents’ medical histories. Additionally, you’ll be questioned about the timing of your symptoms, such as whether or not exercise makes them worse. Several tests may be carried out to confirm the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy if your doctor suspects you have it, including:
Ambulatory monitoring-makes use of equipment to monitor your heartbeat.
Medication: Heart drugs can increase blood flow, address underlying issues, or manage symptoms.
Arrhythmia-correcting technology: Uneven cardiac rhythms are treated using pacemakers or implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Your heartbeat is monitored by these gadgets. When an arrhythmia begins, they send electrical impulses to your heart.
Devices that increase blood flow: Some gadgets make your heart’s blood-pumping process more effective. Devices used in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) regulate the heart’s left and right side contractions. Your heart is assisted in pumping blood with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
Surgery: Your doctor might advise heart surgery if you have serious symptoms or underlying heart issues. Open heart surgery or a heart transplant are typically only suggested by healthcare professionals after all other options have failed to provide relief.
Congenital (inherited) forms of cardiomyopathy cannot be prevented. You can take precautions to lower your chance of developing illnesses that could cause cardiomyopathy. Some of these actions consist of:
