Cardiomyopathy (patient information): Difference between revisions

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===Lifestyle Changes===
===Lifestyle Changes===
Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes to manage a condition that's causing your cardiomyopathy. These changes can help reduce symptoms.
*Your [[doctor]] may suggest [[lifestyle changes]] to manage a condition that's causing your [[cardiomyopathy]]. These changes can help reduce [[symptoms]].
*A healthy diet and physical activity are part of a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains; half of your grains should come from whole-grain products.
*A healthy [[diet]] and physical activity are part of a [[healthy]] lifestyle. A healthy diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains; half of your grains should come from whole-grain products.
*Choose foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Healthy choices include lean meats, poultry without skin, fish, beans, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
*Choose foods that are low in [[saturated fat]], [[trans fat]], and [[cholesterol]]. Healthy choices include lean meats, poultry without skin, fish, beans, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
Choose and prepare foods with little sodium (salt). Too much salt can raise your risk of high blood pressure. Recent studies show that following the Dietary *Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan can lower blood pressure.
*Choose and prepare foods with little [[sodium]] ([[salt]]). Too much salt can raise your risk of [[high blood pressure]]. Recent studies show that following the Dietary Approaches to Stop [[Hypertension]] ([[DASH]) eating plan can lower [[blood pressure]].
*Choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugar. If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
*Choose foods and beverages that are low in added [[sugar]]. If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
*Aim for a healthy weight by staying within your daily calorie needs. Balance the calories you take in with the calories you use during physical activity. Be as physically active as you can.
*Aim for a [[healthy]] [[weight]] by staying within your daily [[calorie]] needs. Balance the [[calories]] you take in with the [[calories]] you use during physical activity. Be as physically active as you can.
*Some people should get medical advice before starting or increasing physical activity. For example, talk with your doctor if you have a chronic (ongoing) health problem, are on medicine, or have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Your doctor can suggest types and amounts of physical activity that are safe for you.
*Some people should get [[medical]] advice before starting or increasing physical activity. For example, talk with your doctor if you have a [[chronic]] (ongoing) health problem, are on [[medicine]], or have [[symptoms]] such as [[chest]] [[pain]], [[shortness of breath]], or [[dizziness]]. Your doctor can suggest types and amounts of physical activity that are safe for you.


Your doctor can help you decide what kind of eating plan and physical activity are right for you.
*Your doctor can help you decide what kind of eating plan and physical activity are right for you.
 
*Your doctor also may recommend other lifestyle changes, such as:
Other Lifestyle Changes
**Quitting [[smoking]]  
Your doctor also may recommend other lifestyle changes, such as:
**Losing excess [[weight]]
*Quitting [[smoking]]  
**Avoiding the use of [[alcohol]] and illegal [[drugs]]
*Losing excess weight  
**Getting enough [[sleep]] and rest  
*Avoiding the use of [[alcohol]] and illegal drugs  
**Reducing [[stress]]  
*Getting enough sleep and rest  
**Treating underlying conditions, such as [[diabetes]] and high [[blood pressure]].
*Reducing [[stress]]  
*Treating underlying conditions, such as [[diabetes]] and [[high blood pressure]]


===Medications===
===Medications===
Many medicines are used to treat cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to:
*Many [[medicines]] are used to [[treat]] [[cardiomyopathy]]. Your doctor may [[prescribe]] [[medicines]] to:
*Lower your [[blood pressure]]. [[ACE inhibitors]], angiotensin II receptor blockers, [[beta blockers]], and [[calcium channel blockers]] are examples of medicines that lower blood pressure.
**Lower your [[blood pressure]].
*Slow your heart rate. Beta blockers, [[calcium channel blockers]], and [[digoxin]] are examples of medicines that slow the heart rate. [[Beta blockers]] and [[calcium channel blockers]] also are used to lower blood pressure.
***Examples: [[ACE inhibitors]], angiotensin II receptor blockers, [[beta blockers]], and [[calcium channel blockers]]
*Keep your heart beating with a normal rhythm. These medicines, called [[antiarrhythmics]], help prevent [[arrhythmia]]s.
**Slow your [[heart rate]].  
*Balance electrolytes in your body. Electrolytes are minerals that help maintain fluid levels and acid-base balance in the body. They also help muscle and nerve tissues work properly. Abnormal electrolyte levels may be a sign of [[dehydration]] (lack of fluid in your body), [[heart failure]], [[high blood pressure]], or other disorders. Aldosterone blockers are an example of a medicine used to balance electrolytes.
***Examples: [[beta blockers]], [[calcium channel blockers]], and [[digoxin]]
*Remove excess fluid and sodium from your body. [[Diuretics]], or "water pills," are an example of a medicine that helps remove excess fluid and sodium from the body.
**Keep your [[heart]] [[beat]]ing with a normal [[rhythm]].
*Prevent blood clots from forming. [[Anticoagulant]]s, or "blood thinners," are an example of a medicine that prevents blood clots. Blood thinners often are used to prevent blood clots from forming in people who have dilated cardiomyopathy.
***Example: [[antiarrhythmics]]
*Reduce [[inflammation]]. [[Corticosteroids]] are an example of a medicine used to reduce inflammation.
**Balance [[electrolytes]] in your [[body]].
***Example: [[Aldosterone blockers]]
**Remove excess [[fluid]] and [[sodium]] from your [[body]].  
***Examples: [[diuretics]]
**Prevent [[blood]] [[clots]] from forming  
***Example: [[anticoagulant]]s
**Reduce [[inflammation]]
***Example:[[corticosteroids]].


===Surgery===
===Surgery===
Doctors use several types of surgery to treat cardiomyopathy. They include septal myectomy (mi-EK-toe-me), implanted devices to help the heart work better, and heart transplant.
*Doctors use several types of [[surgery]] to treat [[cardiomyopathy]].  
*They include [[septal myectomy]], [[implanted devices]] to help the [[heart]] work better, and [[heart transplant]].
 
====Septal Myectomy====
====Septal Myectomy====
Septal myectomy is open-heart surgery. It's used for people who have obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and severe symptoms. This surgery generally is used for younger patients and for people whose medicines aren't working well.
*[[Septal myectomy]] is [[open-heart]] [[surgery]].  
During the surgery, a surgeon removes part of the thickened septum that's bulging into the left ventricle. This improves blood flow through the heart and out to the body. The removed tissue doesn't grow back.
*It's used for people who have [[obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]] and severe [[symptoms]].  
The surgeon also can repair or replace the mitral valve at the same time (if needed). Septal myectomy often is successful and allows you to return to a normal life with no symptoms.
*This [[surgery]] generally is used for younger [[patients]] and for people whose [[medicines]] are not working well.
*During the [[surgery]], a [[surgeon]] removes part of the thickened [[septum]] that is bulging into the [[left ventricle]].  
*This improves [[blood flow]] through the [[heart]] and out to the [[body]]. The removed tissue doesn't grow back.
*The [[surgeon]] also can repair or replace the [[mitral valve]] at the same time (if needed).  
*[[Septal myectomy]] often is successful and allows you to return to a normal [[life]] with no [[symptoms]].
 
====Surgically Implanted Devices====
====Surgically Implanted Devices====
Surgeons can place several types of devices in the heart to help it work better. One example is a pacemaker. This is a small device that's placed under the skin of your chest or abdomen to help control arrhythmias. The device uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate.
*[[Surgeons]] can place several types of [[devices]] in the [[heart]] to help it work better.  
Sometimes doctors choose to use a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device. A CRT device coordinates contractions between the heart's left and right ventricles.
*One example is a [[pacemaker]] which is a small [[device]] that is placed under the [[skin]] of the [[chest]] or [[abdomen]] to help control [[arrhythmias]].  
 
*The [[device]] uses [[electrical pulses]] to prompt the [[heart]] to [[beat]] at a normal [[rate]].
A [[left ventricular assist device]] (LVAD) helps the heart pump blood to the body. An LVAD can be used as a long-term therapy or as a short-term treatment for people who are waiting for a heart transplant.
*Sometimes [[doctors]] choose to use a [[cardiac resynchronization therapy]] ([[CRT]]) [[device]].  
*A [[CRT]] [[device]] coordinates [[contractions]] between the [[heart]]'s left and right [[ventricles]].
*A [[left ventricular assist device]] ([[LVAD]]) helps the [[heart]] [[pump]] [[blood]] to the [[body]].  
*An [[LVAD]] can be used as a long-term [[therapy]] or as a short-term [[treatment]] for people who are waiting for a [[heart]] [[transplant]].
*An [[implantable cardioverter defibrillator]] ([[ICD]]) helps control [[life-threatening]] [[arrhythmias]] that may lead to [[SCA]].
*This small [[device]] is [[implanted]] in the [[chest]] or [[abdomen]] and connected to the [[heart]] with [[wires]].
*If an [[ICD]] senses a dangerous change in [[heart]] [[rhythm]], it will send an [[electric shock]] to the [[heart]] to restore a normal [[heartbeat]].


An [[implantable cardioverter defibrillator]] (ICD) helps control life-threatening arrhythmias that may lead to SCA. This small device is implanted in the chest or abdomen and connected to the heart with wires.
If an ICD senses a dangerous change in heart rhythm, it will send an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat.
====Heart Transplant====
====Heart Transplant====


For this surgery, a surgeon replaces a person's diseased heart with a healthy heart from a deceased donor. A heart transplant is a last resort treatment for people who have end-stage heart failure. "End-stage" means the condition has become so severe that all treatments, other than heart transplant, have failed.
*For this [[surgery]], a [[surgeon]] replaces a person's [[diseased]] [[heart]] with a [[healthy]] [[heart]] from a [[deceased]] [[donor]]. A [[heart]] [[transplant]] is a last resort [[treatment]] for people who have [[end-stage]] [[heart failure]]. "[[End-stage]]" means the condition has become so severe that all [[treatment]]s, other than [[heart]] [[transplant]], have failed.


====Septal Ablation====
====Septal Ablation====
Doctors may use a nonsurgical procedure called alcohol septal ablation to treat cardiomyopathy.
*[[Doctor]]s may use a non[[surgical]]] [[procedure]] called [[alcohol]] [[septal ablation]] to treat [[cardiomyopathy]].
For this procedure, your doctor injects [[ethanol]] (a type of alcohol) through a tube into the small artery that supplies blood to the thickened area of heart muscle. The alcohol kills cells, and the thickened tissue shrinks to a more normal size.
*For this [[procedure]], your [[doctor]] [[inject]]s [[ethanol]] (a type of [[alcohol]]) through a [[tube]] into the small [[artery]] that supplies [[blood]] to the thickened area of [[heart muscle]]. The [[alcohol]] kills [[cells]], and the thickened [[tissue]] shrinks to a more normal size.
 
*This [[procedure]] allows [[blood]] to flow freely through the [[ventricle]], which improves [[symptoms]].
This procedure allows blood to flow freely through the ventricle, which improves symptoms.


==Where to find medical care for Cardiomyopathy?==
==Where to find medical care for Cardiomyopathy?==

Latest revision as of 10:57, 8 November 2023

Cardiomyopathy

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Cardiomyopathy?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Cardiomyopathy On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Cardiomyopathy

Videos on Cardiomyopathy

FDA on Cardiomyopathy

CDC on Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathyin the news

Blogs on Cardiomyopathy

Directions to Hospitals Treating Cardiomyopathy

Risk calculators and risk factors for Cardiomyopathy

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editors-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS , Edzel Lorraine Co, DMD, MD[1]

Overview

What are the symptoms of Cardiomyopathy?

What causes Cardiomyopathy?

Who is at highest risk?

Major Risk Factors

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Specialists Involved

Medical and Family Histories

Physical Exam

Diagnostic Tests

Blood Tests

  • During a blood test, a small amount of blood is taken from your body.
  • It is often drawn from a vein in your arm using a needle.
  • The procedure usually is quick and easy, although it may cause some short-term discomfort.
  • Blood tests give your doctor information about your heart and help rule out other conditions.

Chest X-Ray

EKG (Electrocardiogram)

Holter and Event Monitors

Echocardiography

Stress Test

Diagnostic Procedures

Cardiac Catheterization

Coronary Angiography

Myocardial Biopsy

Genetic Testing

Treatment options

Lifestyle Changes

  • Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes to manage a condition that's causing your cardiomyopathy. These changes can help reduce symptoms.
  • A healthy diet and physical activity are part of a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains; half of your grains should come from whole-grain products.
  • Choose foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Healthy choices include lean meats, poultry without skin, fish, beans, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
  • Choose and prepare foods with little sodium (salt). Too much salt can raise your risk of high blood pressure. Recent studies show that following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension ([[DASH]) eating plan can lower blood pressure.
  • Choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugar. If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
  • Aim for a healthy weight by staying within your daily calorie needs. Balance the calories you take in with the calories you use during physical activity. Be as physically active as you can.
  • Some people should get medical advice before starting or increasing physical activity. For example, talk with your doctor if you have a chronic (ongoing) health problem, are on medicine, or have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Your doctor can suggest types and amounts of physical activity that are safe for you.
  • Your doctor can help you decide what kind of eating plan and physical activity are right for you.
  • Your doctor also may recommend other lifestyle changes, such as:

Medications

Surgery

Septal Myectomy

Surgically Implanted Devices

Heart Transplant

Septal Ablation

Where to find medical care for Cardiomyopathy?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Cardiomyopathy

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cardiomyopathy.html

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/cm/cm_what.html Template:WH Template:WS