CARDIOMYOPATHY

General Information

DEFINITION--An inflammatory disorder of the heart muscle. The heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Heart muscle. Decreasing heart function eventually affects the lungs, liver and circulatory system.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED

• Both sexes, but more common in males.
• All ages, but most common in adults.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--

If cardiomyopathy is extensive enough to cause congestive heart failure, the following symptoms may occur:

• Irregular or rapid heartbeat.
• Shortness of breath with activity.
• Swelling of the feet and ankles.
• Fatigue.
• Cough with frothy, bloody sputum.
• Appetite loss.
• Loss of sex drive.

CAUSES

• Virus infection.
• Late stage of coronary artery disease.
• Nutritional deficiency, especially of vitamin B-1 (thiamine).
• Mineral deficiency, especially of potassium.
• Fat tissue in the heart that replaces muscle fibers.
• Amyloid deposits (abnormal protein material deposited in tissues) due to other disorders.
• Hemochromatosis (excessive amount of iron in the liver, pancreas, skin).
• Severe anemia.
• Friedreich's ataxia (inherited nervous order disease).
• Stress.
• Unknown.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Adults over 60.
• Obesity.
• Smoking.
• Alcoholism.
• Family history of coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy.
• Use of certain drugs, such as diuretics.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• High cholesterol levels.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Drink alcohol moderately (1 or 2 drinks a day or none at all).
• Eat a well-balanced diet.
• Avoid risk factors where possible.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• ECG and echocardiogram (See Glossary for both).
• X-rays of the heart and lungs, cardiac catheterization and other special tests.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Heart transplantation (rarely).

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Congestive heart failure.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--

• If the underlying disorder can be corrected, cardiomyopathy may be curable.
• If the underlying cause can't be corrected, cardiomyopathy is incurable. Some patients are candidates for a heart transplant.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Treatment goals are to ease the symptoms and to try and prevent further complications.
• Weigh daily before breakfast and record the weight. Report any marked weight change to the doctor. This may indicate excess fluid accumulation.
• Monitor blood pressure daily.
• For those with alcoholic cardiomyopathy, stopping all alcohol consumption is essential.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Digitalis to improve heart function.
• Diuretics to decrease fluid retention.
• Vitamins or potassium supplements (if the disorder is caused by a deficiency).

ACTIVITY--Resume your normal activities gradually. There may be some limitations depending on severity of the disorder.

DIET--Low-salt diet if recommended by doctor (see Sodium Restricted Diet in Appendix).

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of cardiomyopathy or symptoms recur after treatment.
• You have chest pain.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.