Cardiomyopathy: symptoms, causes and treatment

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Definition of cardiomyopathy

What is cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is a disease related to the heart muscle. In this condition, the heart muscle becomes weak, stretched, or has problems with its structure. This condition is often referred to as a weak heart or weak heart.

Most cases of cardiomyopathy cause the heart muscle to become large, thick, or stiff. However, in rare cases, the weakened heart muscle tissue is replaced by scar tissue or injury.

When weakened, the heart can't pump blood properly. This has the potential to cause irregular heartbeats, blood to build up in the lungs, heart valve problems, or heart failure.

How common is a weak heart?

Cardiomyopathy is often undiagnosed, so the incidence varies. However, reported by the CDC, it is estimated that about 1 in 500 people have the potential to experience this condition.

This weak heart case can happen to anyone at any age. However, this disease is more common in adults and the elderly. In addition, the incidence of this disease in men and women does not differ much.

Types of cardiomyopathy

What are the types of cardiomyopathy?

Weak heart or cardiomyopathy generally has several types. This type of division depends on how the disease affects the heart muscle. The following are the most common types of weak heart:

1. Dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition when the left ventricle of the heart enlarges or widened and the heart muscle wall becomes thinner. This condition causes the heart to weaken, so that its ability to pump blood throughout the body decreases.

Over time, this condition has the potential to cause heart failure, heart valve disease, blood clots in the heart, and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).

This type of cardiomyopathy can happen to anyone. However, this condition is more common in adult men. In addition, children who have cardiomyopathy generally have this type.

The cause of this condition is often not known for sure. However, a weakened heart in this type usually occurs due to heredity (genetic) or other conditions, such as consuming alcohol or certain drugs.

2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

This type of weak heart is among the most common and can be found in patients of all ages. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart muscle enlarges and thickens without a definite cause.

This thickening of the heart muscle generally occurs in the walls of the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart, and the septum (the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart). This condition causes the ventricular spaces to become narrow and blocked, making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood.

This condition can also result in stiff ventricles, altered heart mitral valves, and changes in the cells in the heart tissue.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy generally occurs due to heredity (genetic), signs of aging, or other diseases that are developing, such as hypertension.

3. Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy occurs when the ventricles become stiff and less elastic, but the walls of the heart do not thicken. As a result, the ventricles become tense and are not filled with sufficient blood volume.

As the disease progresses, the ventricles cannot pump properly and the heart muscle weakens. This condition can result in heart failure and heart valve problems.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy generally occurs due to iron overload (hemochromatosis), connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma, cancer treatment, or other diseases that damage the heart, such as amyloidosis and sarcoidosis.

4. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD)

This type is the rarest. In ARVD, muscle tissue in the right ventricle of the heart is replaced by fat or fibrous tissue. This can lead to disruption of the heart's electrical system, potentially causing an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia.

ARVD generally affects patients aged adolescents or young adults, and generally occurs due to hereditary factors. This disease also has the potential to cause sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.

5. Peripartum cardiomyopathy

Unlike the other four types, peripartum cardiomyopathy occurs during pregnancy or the first few months after delivery. However, the condition of the ventricles and heart muscle in this condition is similar to dilated cardiomyopathy .

6. Unclassified cardiomyopathy

Other types of cardiomyopathy that do not fall into the above five types fall into this category. Some of the conditions that fall into this type, such as:

• Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome, that is, when extreme stress causes heart muscle failure. This condition is common in postmenopausal women.
• Left ventricular noncompaction , that is, when the heart muscle cells do not condense, which causes small indentations in the muscle and appears spongy. This condition affects the work of the heart.

Cardiomyopathy signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a weak heart?

Cardiomyopathy or a weak heart generally does not have certain characteristics, signs, or symptoms. However, in some cases, symptoms will appear as the disease progresses.

When cardiomyopathy gets worse, your heart will weaken. A weak heart tends to have signs or symptoms of heart failure, such as:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, especially with strenuous physical activity.
• Fatigue.
• Cough while lying down.
• Swelling of the ankles, feet, feet, abdomen and tendons in the neck.
• Dizzy.
• Fainting during activity.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Chest pain after strenuous activity or eating a lot.
• The sounds accompanying the heartbeat.
• Bloated stomach due to fluid buildup.
• Gaining weight.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

If you experience the symptoms described above, you should consult your doctor about it. However, if you already have more severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, fainting, or chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes, you should immediately contact your doctor for emergency treatment.

Each person's body shows different signs and symptoms. To get the most appropriate treatment and according to your health condition, always consult your doctor for any complaints you feel.

Causes of cardiomyopathy

What causes a weak heart or cardiomyopathy?

Many factors can cause cardiomyopathy or a weak heart in a person. However, most of these cases occur due to genetic factors or heredity from parents.

Apart from genetic factors, other conditions can also cause a weak heart. Here are some conditions that can also cause cardiomyopathy to occur in you:

• High blood pressure or hypertension that occurs over a long period of time.
• Coronary heart disease or heart attack.
• Diseases that can damage the heart, such as hemochromatosis, sarcoidosis, and amyloidosis.
• Heart valve problems.
• Metabolic disorders, such as obesity, thyroid disease, or diabetes.
• Infections, especially those affecting the heart muscle.
• Drinking alcohol excessively over the years.
• Take illegal drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines.
• Take cancer drugs.
• Lack of essential vitamin or mineral nutrients, such as vitamin B-1 (thiamin).
• Pregnancy complications.
• Connective tissue disease.

Cardiomyopathy risk factors

What increases the risk of having a weak heart?

Weak heart or cardiomyopathy is a condition that can affect people of all ages and races. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing this disease.

However, if you have one or more of these risk factors, it does not mean that you will definitely get this disease. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, you can prevent various diseases that can lead to cardiomyopathy.

The following are various risk factors that trigger this disease:

1. Descendants of the family

If your family has had heart problems such as cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest, you are likely to develop this disease.

2. Suffering from high blood pressure

High blood pressure that has been suffered for a long time is at risk of causing cardiomyopathy.

3. Have had heart problems

If you've had a problem with your heart, such as a heart attack, coronary artery disease, or an infection that affects your heart, you have a greater chance of developing cardiomyopathy.

4. Obesity or overweight

Being overweight or obese tends to cause the heart to work harder than usual. Therefore, someone who is obese is more prone to developing a weak heart.

5. Drink alcohol in the long run

If you drink alcoholic drinks too often, more than two glasses per day, your risk for developing this disease is also higher.

6. Use of illegal drugs

The consumption of illegal drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines, can increase a person's risk of developing a weak heart.

7. Underwent chemotherapy treatment

If you have cancer and seek medical treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, your chances of developing weak heart disease are greater.

8. Suffering from other diseases

Some diseases such as diabetes, problems with the thyroid gland, hemochromatosis, amyloidosis, and sarcoidosis can put you at risk for cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy complications

What are the complications caused by cardiomyopathy?

A weak heart or cardiomyopathy can cause other heart problems that are dangerous if not treated or treated immediately. Here are some of the complications that may occur from a weak heart:

1. Heart failure

When weakened, your heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's nutritional needs. When this happens, you experience heart failure which is life-threatening if left untreated.

2. Blood clots

A weakened heart can't pump blood effectively. When this happens, a blood clot may form in your heart. If the clot enters the bloodstream, it will block the flow of blood to other organs.

3. Heart valve problems

Cardiomyopathy causes the heart to dilate. In this condition, the heart valve may not close completely. If this happens, the blood flow will have problems.

4. Cardiac arrest and death

A weakened heart can mess up the rhythm of the heart. This condition causes an irregular heartbeat, even stops suddenly. If left untreated, this condition can lead to brain damage and death.

Diagnosis & treatment of cardiomyopathy

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is a weak heart or cardiomyopathy diagnosed?

If you experience symptoms like the ones above, generally the doctor will do a thorough physical examination, including asking about your medical history, any illnesses in your family, when your symptoms appear, and the lifestyle you live.

If the doctor suspects cardiomyopathy, the doctor may recommend a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis. The following are some of the tests that are commonly performed:

1. Chest X-ray

This method is done to see if there is an enlargement or dilation of your heart.

2. Echocardiogram

This test uses sound waves to produce an image of your heart, which shows the size and movement of your heart as it beats. This test aims to check your heart valves and diagnose the cause of your symptoms.

3.Electrocardiogram (EKG)

An EKG is a test that is done to record the electrical activity of your heart. This way, your doctor can find out how fast your heart is beating and whether the rhythm is stable or not, so that it can be detected if you have heart problems, including cardiomyopathy.

4. Pressure test treadmill

You will be asked to walk on a treadmill and the doctor will check your heart rhythm, blood pressure and breathing. Your doctor may also use the results of these tests to diagnose symptoms and determine your exercise capacity.

5. Heart catheter

In this test, a small tube or catheter will be inserted through your groin into a blood vessel in your heart. Your doctor may take a small sample (biopsy) of your heart and analyze it in a laboratory, so the doctor can find out how strongly your heart is pumping blood.

6. Coronary angiography

This test is generally done in conjunction with a heart catheter. In this test, the doctor will inject a dye into your blood vessels to find out if there are blockages in the blood vessels and how your heart pumps blood.

7. MRI of the heart

This test uses magnetic field technology and radio waves to produce images of the heart. Cardiac MRI may be combined with an echocardiogram, especially if the echocardiogram does not provide an accurate diagnosis.

8. CT scan

This test aims to determine the size of the heart and the performance of the heart valves.

9. Blood test

Your doctor may also have to take a sample of your blood and check your kidneys, thyroid gland, iron levels, and liver function.

10. Test or screening genetic

A weak heart is an inherited disease, so your doctor may advise you and your family, especially parents, siblings, and children, to do genetic testing to confirm it.

How to treat a weak heart?

The goal of cardiomyopathy treatment is to reduce the symptoms you feel and prevent your condition from getting worse. This treatment is given depending on the type of cardiomyopathy you have, the severity of your symptoms and complications, your age, and your health condition.

Here are some medications for weak heart that you may need to undergo:

• Non surgical procedure.
• Drugs.
• Surgery, including surgery for implanted devices.
• Heart transplant.

Home remedies for cardiomyopathy

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat a weak heart?

In addition to medical treatment, you will also need to make lifestyle changes to help you treat cardiomyopathy. This method can also be done to prevent this disease from happening to you. Here are the lifestyle changes you need to make:

• A heart-healthy diet.
• Maintain ideal body weight.
• Manage or deal with stress.
• Regular light exercise.
• Quit smoking.
• Cut down on drinking alcohol.
• Enough sleep.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.