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Cardiology

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. Read about symptoms, causes and prevention at Health Library by BlueNetHospitals.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, so the heart has some trouble to pump blood to the rest of the body.

 

The main types of Cardiomyopathy are:

  • Dilated, the heart is weakened, preventing it from pumping enough blood to the body.

  • Hypertrophic prevents blood from leaking from the heart.

  • Restrictive, causes the heart to be unable to contract properly or to become insufficiently filled.

  • Peripartum occurs during the gestation period or after the first five months of pregnancy.

 

Causes
  • Long-term high blood pressure

  • Heart damage from a Heart Attack

  • Constant fast heart rate

  • Heart valve problems

  • Metabolic disorders

  • Nutritional deficiencies

  • Pregnancy complications

  • Being an alcoholic for many years

  • Use of drugs

  • Chemotherapy or radiation

  • Certain infections or viruses


Symptoms

It's necessary to identify the symptoms because some people with Cardiomyopathy never have any signs.
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

  • Fatigue

  • Swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs

  • Dizziness

  • Fainting during any physical activity

  • Arrhythmias

  • Chest discomfort or chest pain

  • Heart murmurs

  • Cough while lying down

 





Risk factor's
  • Family history of Cardiomyopathy or cardiovascular disease

  • Excessive consumption of alcohol

  • Consumption of drugs

  • Diabetes

  • High blood pressure

  • Conditions that affect the heart

  • Some chemotherapy and radiation therapy drugs for cancer

 
Diagnosis of Cardiomyopathy

Your Cardiology specialist will diagnose Cardiomyopathy based on your medical records, family history, a physical exam, and some tests like:

 



Treatment of Cardiomyopathy 

The treatment provided by your Cardiologist will depend on the severity of the Cardiomyopathy. As a first step, the Cardiologist will be in charge of controlling the symptoms and acting immediately to prevent the disease from worsening, avoiding possible complications.

 

Treatment for Cardiomyopathy will be according to its severity; common treatment options include:

 

  • Medicines

  • Surgical implant devices

    • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, this device detects an abnormal heart rhythm and helps restore a normal heart rhythm.

    • Ventricular assist devices help the heart pump from the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) to the rest of the body.

    • Pacemaker allows control of abnormal heart rhythms

  • Non-surgical procedures

  • Surgery



Living with Cardiomyopathy

When you have already been diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, follow the treatment provided by your Cardiologist.

 

Some things to consider that could help improve the quality of life are:

 

  • Eat healthily

  • Attend your appointments with the Cardiologist

  • Reduces stress

  • Sleep well

  • Controls high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar

  • Do not use drugs or alcohol.

  • Exercise daily

 

Take your prescription, don't miss your appointments with your Cardiologist, and live happily, don't worry about it. You can do it!



¿When to see a doctor?

Make your appointment with the doctor in case of presenting any of the mentioned symptoms or in case of detecting another abnormal symptom.

 

The Cardiologist is in charge of treating Cardiomyopathy, will be responsible for making a diagnosis to identify the cause of the symptoms and identify the severity of the condition.


When consulting your Cardiologist try to keep a record of your pain with a detailed description of the symptoms, duration, and what you think triggered them. Also, mention any medications you are taking.


BlueNetHospitals - Hospital Los Cabos 

BlueNet Hospitals