Cardiomyopathy - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Introduction

Cardiomyopathy is a condition of the heart that results in the stiffening as well as expansion of the heart muscle. These cardiac changes lead to a reduction in the heart's pumping mechanism, which in turn causes irregular heartbeats. Cardiomyopathy is a heart disease that intensifies in nature. The immediate effects of this are weakening of the heart, reduced blood supply throughout the body, and failure to maintain a normal electrical rhythm. With time individuals will start showing signs of fatigue and shortness of breath that may ultimately lead to failure of the heart. The initial line of treatment is chiefly towards symptomatic relief presented by the patient. Further management can be sorted with the help of several other treatment modalities such as cardiac resynchronization therapy, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and pharmacological management.

What Are the Causes of Cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is a condition of the heart that makes the heart muscles stiff and thus results in the heart working harder. If the condition is not diagnosed at an initial stage, it can lead to permanent damage to the heart. There are several cardiovascular occasions that may lead to cardiomyopathy ranging from hormonal imbalances to irregularities in the heart's electrical impulses. Below are some of the causes that may lead to the development of cardiomyopathy.

• Thyroid conditions.

• Lack of vitamins and minerals.

• Growth of abnormal lumps in the cardiac muscles.

• Disorders related to the connective tissue.

• Tachycardia that is not treated.

• Heart valve disorders.

• Accumulation of iron in the heart muscles.

What Are the Risk Factors of Cardiomyopathy?

There are several factors that may place an individual at a higher risk of developing cardiomyopathy. Knowing the risk factors can help individuals and healthcare professionals identify and manage the condition early on, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life. Some of the elements are mentioned below.

• Family history of coronary artery disease.

• History of a heart attack.

• Diabetes.

• Excessive alcohol consumption.

• Inflammation of vital organs.

• Obesity.

• Radiotherapy.

• Chemotherapy.

• Hypertension.

• COVID-19 infection.

• Generalized infection.

• Pregnancy complications.

• Connective tissue disorders.

• Intake of illegal or recreational drugs.

What Are the Symptoms of Cardiomyopathy?

In the initial stages of the condition, cardiomyopathy can be asymptomatic. Then, symptoms start to appear as the disease progresses over time. Below are a few of the classical signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy.

• Shortness of breath.

• Decreased ability of physical activities.

• Swelling of the legs and feet.

• Fluid retention.

• Swelling in the abdomen.

• Palpitations.

• Lightheadedness.

• Myocardial thickening.

• Defects in impulse activities.

• Abnormal electrical conduction.

• Enlargement of the cavities of the heart.

• Episodes of clot formation in the heart.

• Fluctuations in blood pressure.

• Fatigue.

• Pain or discomfort in the chest.

• Pounding or fluttering feeling in the chest.

• Dizziness.

• Syncope.

• Persistent cough.

How to Diagnose Cardiomyopathy?

Several diagnostic measures are available to investigate the heart condition of a patient and identify abnormalities such as cardiomyopathy. A comprehensive cardiac investigation in addition to history documentation is vital to diagnose any complication related to the cardiovascular system.

• Chest X-rays to compare the heart size as well as other cardiac structures.

• Electrocardiogram to record the heart’s electrical activity.

• Echocardiogram to assess the functioning of the heart muscles.

• Transesophageal echo or TEE to provide the posterior angle of the heart.

• A stress test aims to evaluate the heart during strenuous activities.

• Doppler imaging.

• Myocardial biopsy.

• Genetic testing in case there is a family history of cardiovascular conditions.

• Positron imaging tomography or PET scan.

• Magnetic resonance imaging.

• Myocardial scintigraphy or nuclear sensitivity test.

How to Treat Cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is a condition that generally has multiple effects on the cardiovascular system. Depending on the clinical signs, the health care provider will first start relieving the patient from the presenting symptoms. Below are certain treatment modalities that the cardiologist and team-best decide.

• Angiotensin-converting enzymes or ACE inhibitors dilate the blood vessels.

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers.

• Beta-blockers are used to slow down the heart rate and reduce any extra stress on the heart.

• Diuretics are prescribed to get rid of excess fluid and salt from the body.

• Blood thinners or anticoagulants can protect from any possibility of clot formation in the cardiac vessels.

• Digoxin can strengthen the muscles of the heart.

• Implantable loop recorders.

• Pacemaker for the heart.

• Implantable cardioverter.

• The last resort is heart transplantation in case any medication or other treatment modalities have not resulted in any success.

What Are the Complications of Cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy is a cardiovascular condition that results in abnormal conduction of the heart as well as a malfunctioning of the pumping mechanism of the heart. Cardiomyopathy can happen due to several non-genetic or genetic reasons. It is necessary to get the correct diagnosis, in addition to prompt treatment, in order to avoid the possible below-mentioned complications.

• Since the heart’s pumping mechanism fails, the heart eventually fails.

• Reduced pumping means the increased formation of blood clots.

• The heart gets enlarged during untreated cardiomyopathy, which may lead to valvular damage.

• Abnormal heart rhythms due to cardiomyopathy may trigger an episode of cardiac arrest that may lead to sudden death if not reversed at the immediate spot.

How to Prevent Cardiomyopathy?

In the majority of cases, cardiomyopathy cannot be prevented, especially if there is a family history of this condition. Nevertheless, preventive measures and lifestyle changes can positively keep cardiomyopathy at bay. Mentioned below are some of the following.

• Reducing the amount of stress in life.

• Balancing emotional and physical stress factors.

• Eating a rich diet full of healthy vegetables and colorful fruits.

• Being active.

• Regular workout and exercise.

• Adequate amount of sleep.

• Reducing cholesterol-rich foods.

• Control diabetes.

• Reducing the amount of deep-fried food.

Conclusion

Considerable changes have taken place in the definition of cardiomyopathy. General practitioners must be adequately trained to identify the red flags related to cardiac failure. Timely recognition and diagnosis of cardiac involvement will give much better results and would help to regain the loss of heart muscle. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and investing in a heart-smart diet is the key to avoiding cardiomyopathy or any other cardiovascular condition. Thus, with proper management and care, individuals with cardiomyopathy can lead full and active lives, and healthcare professionals can work towards better understanding and treating this challenging condition.