By: Jillian Lach
What is Cardiomyopathy?
More than 30 million people in the United States have a heart disease, one of these being cardiomyopathy. While people of all ages can have it, including children, it is more common for adults to be diagnosed with this heart condition. So what exactly is cardiomyopathy? Cardiomyopathy is a heart disease in which your heart has a harder time pumping blood to the rest of your body. This is a serious condition because if blood can’t be pumped to the rest of your body, then heart failure or even death can occur. Although there are many types of it, some of the most common are : Dilated (DCM), Hypertrophic (HCM), and Restrictive (RCM). Dilated cardiomyopathy affects the pumping chambers of the heart and it can be caused by problems with the coronary arteries. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes the heart to thicken and makes it even more difficult to pump blood. Lastly, restrictive cardiomyopathy makes it more difficult for the ventricles of the heart to get the needed blood to keep your body alive and healthy. These 3 types are all serious, but dilated is the most common while hypertrophic is the most dangerous.
Symptoms/Causes
There are many different signs and causes of cardiomyopathy and catching these early is key. Some common symptoms are difficulty breathing, swollen legs, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats. A combination of these symptoms may mean that your heart is struggling to do its job and trying to tell your body this. In addition, some major causes that can contribute to the different types of cardiomyopathy include high blood pressure, family history, heart attacks, heart valve issues, and a rapid heartbeat. It is important to make sure that you are keeping your body healthy in order to prevent this disease.
Effects
Cardiomyopathy can have a large range of effects, some of which can be deadly. Since it causes your heart to stop pumping blood as well, it leads to risk of heart failure, blood clots, fluid build ups, and even cardiac arrest/death. All of these effects can cause a heavy toll on the body, weakening the organs even more and causing more damage that your body can’t fight off without your heart pumping blood to the rest of your body.
Treatment
While there isn’t a cure for cardiomyopathy, there are some treatments that can help one live with the disease. Some medications may be prescribed, such as blood thinners or Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. In more severe cases, a heart transplant may be required or even a pacemaker to help control one’s heartbeat. Only about a quarter of people survive longer than 2 years with this condition, making it very serious and life threatening depending on the diagnosis.
Summary
In conclusion, cardiomyopathy is a very serious heart disease that can be dangerous for many people to develop. Your body is depending on your heart to pump blood and cardiomyopathy weakens it. It is important to do everything possible to prevent the development of this disease, especially if one has pre-existing heart conditions or a family history of heart disease.