CARDIOMYOPATHY

TYPES

The types of cardiomyopathy are the following:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy

SYMPTOMS

There may be no symptoms in the beginning stages of cardiomyopathy. However, in the long run, symptoms generally show up, including the following:

• Difficulty of breathing with exertion or even at rest
• Swelling of the extremities
• Bloating of the abdomen
• Cough while lying down
• Fatigue
• Fast or pounding heartbeats
• Chest discomfort or pressure
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness or fainting

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will do a physical examination, then take medical and family history. He or she may ask when your symptoms have first appeared. Additional tests may include the following:

• Chest X-ray
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Treadmill stress test
• Cardiac catheterization
• Cardiac MRI
• Cardiac CT scan
• Blood tests, including kidney, thyroid and liver function tests, and iron levels
• B-type natriuretic peptide levels
• Genetic screening

TREATMENT

The objectives of cardiomyopathy treatment are to deal with your symptoms, keep your condition from progressing, and decrease your risk for complications. Treatment changes with the type of cardiomyopathy you may have.

Your doctor may recommend medicines to enhance your heart’s pumping capacity, enhance blood circulation, lower your pulse and blood pressure, expel excess fluid from your body or keep blood clots from forming.

Surgically implanted devices that may be recommended by your doctor may include:

• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
• Ventricular assist device
• Pacemaker

Nonsurgical treatment may include the following:

• Septal ablation
• Radiofrequency ablation

Surgery may also be recommended in the form of the following:

• Septal myectomy
• Heart transplant