Cardiomyopathy

What is Cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the muscles of the heart are abnormal. There are three main types of cardiomyopathy. They are dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic myopathy and restrictive cardiomyopathy. If you have Cardiomyopathy, your heart will find it difficult to pump and deliver blood to the rest of your body. Eventually, it might lead to cardiac arrest. But, cardiomyopathy is treatable.

Your cardiologist will decide on the treatment required, based on the type of cardiomyopathy and the complexity of your situation.

Symptoms

During the early stages of cardiomyopathy, symptoms may not reveal themselves. However as the situation worsens, you might observe the following symptoms:

  • Angina – Chest pain
  • Dizziness, fainting and lightheadedness
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular heartbeats with rapid succession or fluttering
  • Coughing while lying down
  • Breathlessness in physical activities or even at rest
  • Swollen legs, ankles and feet
  • Abdominal bloating due to fluid buildup

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Causes

Although the causes of cardiomyopathy are unknown, there are a few factors that could contribute to it: 

  • Problems in the valves of the heart
  • Obesity or thyroid malfunctioning or diabetes
  • Genetic conditions
  • High blood pressure for long durations
  • Excessive consumption of alcohol, cocaine or steroids
  • Complicated pregnancy
  • Disorders in connective tissues
  • Chemotherapy and cancer medication
  • Hemochromatosis – Iron buildup in muscles of the heart
  • Sarcoidosis – Inflammation and growth of cell lumps in the heart
  • Amyloidosis - A disorder that causes the buildup of abnormal proteins

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Risks

You are at a risk of developing Cardiomyopathy, if you have a family history of it, and also other conditions pertaining to the heart like obesity, alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid defects, etc.

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Prevention

You could prevent Cardiomyopathy by taking steps such as maintaining your health by exercies, eating healthy food, getting enough sleep, reducing stress and consumption of tobacco and alcohol.

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How is it diagnosed?

At Medanta, your cardiologist may employ several diagnostic tools amongst the following:

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How is it treated?

For restrictive cardiomyopathy, your cardiologist at Medanta may suggest the following remedies:


Monitoring your intake of salt, monitoring consumption of water, monitoring your body weight, Diuretics, if Sodium and water retention a..

  • Pharmacotherapy

    Administering drugs to improve the functional ability of the heart, blood flow, lower blood pressure, remove excessive fluids and prevent formation of blood clots.

  • Device therapy

    Devices like Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator and pacemaker may be used to continuously monitor the condition of your heart and deliver electrical impulses to control abnormalities.

  • Septal myectomy

    In this procedure, your doctor surgically removes the thickened muscle of the heart or septum, the wall that separates the bottom chambers of the heart.

  • Septal ablation

    In this method, a slender tube called catheter is employed to inject alcohol into the artery of the heart.

When do I contact the doctor?

See your doctor if you have one or more signs of cardiomyopathy, like fatigue, chest pain, bloating of the abdomen or breathlessness.

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How does Medanta provide care?

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Consult with experienced doctors

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