Cardiomyopathy: Causes, Symptoms, Types and Treatment

• Written by Riya Lohia

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Those of you who are acquainted with people suffering from heart conditions will have heard of the term cardiomyopathy,a particular heart muscle disease. So what is cardiomyopathy? This disease causes the heart muscle to become enlarged, or to become thickened, lose elasticity and become rigid or scarred. These changes in the condition of the heart muscle weaken the heart and reduce its effectiveness in pumping blood properly. The heart's decreased ability to pump blood to different parts of your body results in various complications that can be life-threatening. Along with understanding the cardiomyopathy meaning, in this article we will discuss what causes this disease, the symptoms it exhibits, its types and the options available for the treatment of this complex condition, which has the potential to develop into several serious diseases and conditions. Let’s begin! 

Cardiomyopathy Causes

As we already have mentioned above what cardiomyopathy is, let’s switch to its causes. There are various factors that may lead to cardiomyopathy. The common ones are as follows:

1. Genetic Factors: There are some types of cardiomyopathy which you may inherit from one or both of your parents. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition where the heart muscle thickens, making it tougher for the heart to pump blood to all parts of your body. This condition is generally caused by genetic mutations which cause abnormalities in the structure of the heart muscle, thereby greatly increasing the risk of contracting this disease. 
2. Viral Infections: There are certain viruses which may cause an infection in the heart muscle while they attack the human body. This may lead to cardiomyopathy. The Coxsackie virus is one such virus  which  is contagious and can live in the human digestive tract.
3. Autoimmune Conditions: There are certain conditions like lupus – an inflammatory disease where the immune system attacks its own tissues and rheumatoid arthritis which may trigger an immune response in your body that by mistake may attack the muscles of your heart, leading to damage of the heart tissues and inflammation of the same.
4. High Blood Pressure: Those who are suffering from chronic high blood pressure are at risk of suffering from cardiomyopathy as their heart muscles have to cope with the added strain which may result in the thickening of the muscle and stiffness of the same over time.
5. Abuse of Alcohol: Excessive consumption of alcohol can be another reason for developing  cardiomyopathy as your heart muscles weaken from exposure to abnormally high quantities of alcohol.

Cardiomyopathy Signs and Symptoms

Cardiomyopathy usually does not have very obvious symptoms, and you may not even know that you are affected by it. However, cardiomyopathy symptoms sometimes are detectable depending on the type you are suffering from or if it is severe in nature. The symptoms which are commonly detected are as:

• Shortness of Breath: This is a symptom of cardiomyopathy and this especially shows up when you are carrying out physical activities.
• Fatigue and Weakness: As the heart has difficulty pumping blood to the different parts of your body, the reduced oxygen content in your body leads to you feeling fatigued and weak easily.
• Swelling of Body Parts: Cardiomyopathy causes the parts of your body like the abdomen, ankles and legs to swell.
• Irregular Heartbeat: As a disease of heart muscles causes cardiomyopathy, it results in irregular heartbeat, a condition called arrhythmia, where the electrical impulses of the heart do not function properly.
• Dizziness: As the heart is not able to pump blood properly, you may experience dizziness or feel lightheaded if you are suffering from cardiomyopathy.
• Chest Pain: Chest pain or discomfort in the chest is a common symptom in most heart diseases. As your heartbeats are irregular, either too fast or too slow, you experience these feelings of pain or discomfort.

Cardiomyopathy Types

There are a number of types of cardiomyopathy, each caused by different reasons and having characteristics of their own. The following are the main types of cardiomyopathy:

1. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is typically characterised by the heart muscles getting thickened abnormally. This makes it difficult for the heart to be able to pump blood effectively. This type of cardiomyopathy is usually genetically inherited and may lead to irregular heartbeats causing arrhythmia or a sudden heart attack.
2. Dilated Cardiomyopathy: In dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the left ventricle, which is the heart’s main pumping chamber, gets enlarged, leading to the muscles of the heart becoming thin and stretched. The ability of the heart muscles to pump oxygen-rich blood reduces drastically. This may lead to fluid retention, problems with the heart valve, stroke and heart failure.
3. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: In restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), the heart muscle loses its flexibility and becomes stiff and rigid. As a result, the heart does not fill properly with blood and does not squeeze properly. This in turn, may lead to the build-up of fluid in the body and also lead to heart failure.
4. Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) or dysplasia is a condition where the normal heart muscle gets replaced by fatty, fibrous tissue. This occurs predominantly in the right ventricle and interrupts the normal electrical signals in the heart, which leads to the development of arrhythmia and sudden death from colossal heart failure in an otherwise seemingly normal person health-wise.

Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis

Cardiomyopathy is diagnosed by carrying out tests to check the shape and size of your heart and also to check how well your heart is functioning. Apart from imaging tests, blood tests too are carried out to check the levels of those substances in your blood whose levels increase if you are suffering from a condition like cardiomyopathy. The following are the tests usually used to diagnose cardiomyopathy in a person:

• Echocardiogram – This is the main test for detecting cardiomyopathy
• Blood tests
• Chest X-Ray
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Holter monitor
• Exercise stress test (TMT)
• Cardiac CT scan or MRI test of heart
• Cardiac catheterisation
• Genetic screening or counselling

Cardiomyopathy Treatment

Cardiomyopathy is treated by managing the symptoms, bringing about improvement to the functions of the heart and reduction in the risk of complications that may arise. The options for treatment of cardiomyopathy include the following:

1. Medications: Cardiomyopathy medications are prescribed depending on the type  someone is suffering from. Usually, medicines are prescribed to reduce the symptoms and to bring about an improvement in the functioning of your heart. Normally, medicines such as beta-blockers, diuretics or ACE inhibitors are prescribed.
2. Implantable Devices: For some people, implantable devices may be recommended to regulate their heart beat and rhythm and prevent sudden cardiac arrest. Recommended devices include pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).
3. Lifestyle Changes: The most natural way to improve your heart function condition and manage your symptoms is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. You need to exercise regularly, follow a diet that is healthy for your heart, stop smoking and reduce your consumption of alcohol.
4. Surgical Intervention: Surgical procedures are required in severe cases of cardiomyopathy. Procedures like septal myectomy where some portion of the thickened muscle of the heart is removed, or a heart transplant may be required.

In Conclusion

As you have read, cardiomyopathy is an extremely complex and potentially deadly condition which may severely impact the functioning of your heart. However, if you understand the causes, symptoms, and types, seek immediate medical intervention, and follow the recommended treatment plans, you may be able to control the symptoms and lead a proper life. 

Apart from being aware of the condition, you should also invest in a comprehensive heart health insurance to cover the treatment expenses. With Care Health Insurance, you have two options to choose from Care Heart Insurance and Care Heart Mediclaim. Both the plans come with comprehensive sum insured options and amazing benefits catering to the needs of a heart patient. So, to know more let’s connect with our experts or visit the official website. 

>> Also Read: List of 16 Ailments Covered in Care Heart Mediclaim

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