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Definition Return to top
Cardiomyopathy is a weakening of the heart muscle or a change in heart muscle structure. It is often associated with inadequate heart pumping or other heart function abnormalities.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Cardiomyopathy can be caused by viral infections; heart attacks; alcoholism; long-term, severe high blood pressure; or for other reasons not yet known.
Specific types of cardiomyopathy include:
Cardiomyopathy is not common, but can be severely disabling or fatal. Extreme cardiomyopathy with heart failure may require a heart transplant.
Symptoms Return to top
Additional symptoms that may occur:
Signs and tests Return to top
Examination may reveal an irregular heartbeat. Heart sounds and breath sounds may be abnormal. Additionally, there may be other signs of heart failure.
Decreased heart function and heart enlargement may appear in these tests:
Certain lab tests may be used to rule out other disorders and to assess the condition of the heart:
Cardiac Enzymes: (CPK isoenzymes, CK-MB, LDH isoenzymes).
Treatment Return to top
While all types of cardiomyopathy can cause heart failure, each case requires specific strategies for recovery. Heart failure is treated with a vigorous blend of patient education, dietary changes, and medications.
Possible medications include:
In some individuals with severely weak pumping function of the heart and severe heart failure, a special pacemaker, called a biventricular pacemaker, may be needed. It makes the contraction of the left and right bottom chambers (ventricles) more efficient. In very specific cases, biventricular pacemakers with defibrillation functions are used.
In severe cases, surgical procedures, which can be implemented to sustain life until a transplant donor becomes available, can help but do not cure the disease. They include:
Advanced, severe heart failure requires heart transplant.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
The outcome varies. The disorder is chronic and the condition may deteriorate rapidly.
Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms indicating heart failure develop, or if chest pain is present and not relieved by rest or medication. Update Date: 4/30/2004 Updated by: Fabian Arnaldo, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |