How to diagnose alcoholic cardiomyopathy?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a heavy drinker. I have been getting heart pain and a fast heart rate. How to get diagnosed with alcoholic cardiomyopathy when the echo test result is normal, and the 24-hour ECG test shows tachycardia?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Alcohol effects on left ventricular function can be reversible. Several small studies have demonstrated that if it is started before fibrosis, abstinence from alcohol can result in significant improvement in left ventricular function. A short duration of symptoms of heart failure and abstinence from alcohol are the two factors associated with favorable outcomes.

The prognosis of patients with alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy is poor with the continuous use of alcohol. The reported mortality rates are as high as 42 % in three years. Light microscopic altered structure and function of myocardial fibers can detect alcohol cardiomyopathy, where echo failed to reveal any abnormality in the early stages.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.