What you should know about Cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for your heart to pump blood to the rest of your body.
Cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure.
The main types of cardiomyopathy include dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Treatment depends on which type of cardiomyopathy you have and how serious it is. In severe cases heart transplantation becomes necessary.
Signs and symptoms tend to get worse unless treated.
In some people, the condition worsens quickly; in others, it might not worsen for a long time.
Symptoms
There might be no signs or symptoms in the early stages of cardiomyopathy. But as the condition advances, signs and symptoms usually appear.
Symptoms of cardiomyopathy are:
- Breathlessness with exertion or even at rest
- Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet
- Bloating of the abdomen due to fluid buildup
- Cough while lying down
- Fatigue
- Heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering
- Chest discomfort or pressure
- Dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have one or more signs or symptoms associated with cardiomyopathy. Call your local emergency number if you have severe difficulty breathing, fainting or chest pain that lasts for more than a few minutes.
Because some types of cardiomyopathy can be hereditary, if you have it your doctor might advise that your family members be checked.
Complications
Cardiomyopathy can lead to other heart conditions, including: heart failure, blood clots, valve problems, cardiac arrest and sudden death.
Prevention
In many cases, you can't prevent cardiomyopathy.
Let your doctor know if you have a family history of the condition.
You can help reduce your chance of cardiomyopathy and other types of heart disease by living a heart-healthy lifestyle and making lifestyle choices.
Such as:
- Avoiding the use of alcohol
- Controlling high blood pressure
- Control high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes
- Eating a healthy diet
- Getting regular exercise
- Getting enough sleep
- Reducing your stress
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cardiomyopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20370709
