Cardiomyopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of conditions of the heart muscle.
Signs and Symptoms of Cardiomyopathy
Some people who have cardiomyopathy never have symptoms.
Others may not show signs early on, but do have symptoms later in the course of the disease.
(3) However, various diseases or conditions can lead to cardiomyopathy.
The disease often originates in the left ventricle.
Then the condition commonly affects the right ventricle and in many cases the atria.
This can lead to heart failure, heart valve problems, arrhythmias, and blood clots in the heart.
Dilated cardiomyopathy mostly affects adults ages 20 to 60.
Hypertrophic CardiomyopathyHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is usually triggered by abnormal genes involved in the development of heart muscle.
There are two types of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: obstructive and nonobstructive.
In obstructive HCM, the wall between the two bottom chambers of the heart gets thicker.
This is the most common form of HCM.
HCM is usually inherited from parents, and its one of the most common forms of genetic heart disease.
However, it can happen at any age, and most people are diagnosed in middle age.
ARVD usually occurs in teens and young adults and can cause sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.
Scientists believe that ARVD is an inherited disease.
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM)Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a rare form of cardiomyopathy.
Over time, blood flow in the heart is reduced, which can lead to heart failure or arrhythmias.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy most commonly affects older adults.
It is least common in children, affecting less than 1 per 1,000,000 children.
The stiffening also limits the left ventricles ability to pump enough blood out of the heart.
There are two types of ATTR-CM: hereditary and wild key in.
With the hereditary bang out, a mutation in the transthyretin gene leads to the amyloid deposits.
Wild-jot down ATTR-CM doesnt occur through a genetic mutation.
People with wild-jot down ATTR-CM typically begin to experience symptoms after age 65.
The condition is likely underdiagnosed.
Some patients may have no symptoms or mild symptoms, and others may wind up with end-stage heart failure.
Wild-bang out ATTR-CM is found mostly in men; the average age at diagnosis is 75.
(10)
How Is Cardiomyopathy Diagnosed?
(11) In some cases, the disease worsens quickly.
Other people may have no symptoms or mild symptoms for a long time before the condition worsens.
(1) Treatment depends on which key in of cardiomyopathy you have.
Your doctor may also treat you for the conditions that led to cardiomyopathy or recommend surgery.
These include: (11)
Research and Statistics: Who Has Cardiomyopathy?
Its characterized by sudden, intense chest pain, which is a reaction to a surge of stress hormones.
Broken heart syndrome is more likely to happen to women than to men.
Pediatric Cardiomyopathy
Pediatric cardiomyopathy, or cardiomyopathy in children, is another throw in of cardiomyopathy.
Sometimes, the cause is unknown.
It is a common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young people.
Early detection and intervention can be beneficial for children with cardiomyopathy.
Common Questions & Answers
Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart muscle.
This can lead to irregular heartbeats or more serious conditions, like heart failure.
The more advanced your cardiomyopathy is, the more likely it is that youll have a shorter life expectancy.
He has interviewed doctors and pharmaceutical representatives in the U.S. and abroad.
Rauf lives in Seattle, Washington.
Heart Disease
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What Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)?
Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
