Cardiomyopathy
is a progressive disease of the myocardium, or heart muscle which weakens and
is unable to pump blood to the rest of the body as well as it should in most
cases. A range of factors like coronary heart disease and drugs leads to
different types of cardiomyopathy which can lead to irregular heartbeat or
heart failure. Medical treatment and follow-up care are important to prevent
heart failure or other complications.
The best way
to deal with cardiac emergencies in out-of-hospital cases is by signing up for
a CPR class Kansas City in an
accredited training center such as the AHA certified CPR Kansas City. The
procedures comprise chest compressions and rescue breaths. Proper application
of the techniques can revive the life of a victim involved in a cardiac
emergency.
Different
type:
Dilated Cardiomyopathy- This is the most common form which
occurs when the muscle is too weak to efficiently pump blood. The muscles
stretch and becomes thinner which is also referred to as enlarged heart.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy- This is believed to be genetic
which occurs when the organ walls thicken and prevent blood from flowing
through the heart. It is mainly caused by long-term high blood pressure or
aging with other causes being diabetes or thyroid disease.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy- This is the least common form which
occurs when the ventricles stiffen and can’t relax enough to fill up with
blood. The cause may be scarring of the ticker which usually occurs after a
transplant. It can also occur as a result of coronary artery disease.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular
dysplasia (ARVD)-
This is a very rare form of cardiomyopathy and is one of the leading causes of
sudden death in young athletes. This causes arrhythmias which can lead to the
occurrence of the life-threatening cardiac arrest.
Some of the
other types include Peripartum (this occurs after pregnancy, this rare type occurs when the ticker
weakens within five months of delivery or within the final month of pregnancy),
Alcoholic (this is due to drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time)
and Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (when your ticker can no longer pump
blood to the rest of your body due to coronary artery disease).
Symptoms:
The symptoms
tend to be similar, the organ can’t adequately pump blood to the tissues and
organs of the body in all cases. Some of the symptoms include
1. general weakness and fatigue
2. shortness of breath, particularly
during exertion or exercise
3. lightheadedness and dizziness
4. chest pain
5. heart palpitations
6. fainting attacks
7. high blood pressure
8. edema, or swelling, of your feet,
ankles, and legs
Risks:
Cardiomyopathy
can affect people of all ages with some of the risk factors being
1. a family history of cardiomyopathy, sudden cardiac arrest, or heart failure
2. coronary artery disease
3. diabetes
4. severe obesity
5. sarcoidosis
6. hemochromatosis
7. amyloidosis
8. myocardial infarction
9. long-term high blood pressure
10. alcoholism
Treatment:
The
treatment depends on the severity of organ damage and the resulting symptoms.
This disease cannot be cured or reversed but can be controlled with the
below-mentioned options:
1. Heart transplants is the last resort
after everything else has failed.
2. Surgery or surgically implanted
devices, like pacemakers and defibrillators.
3. Medications, including those used to
treat high blood pressure, prevent water retention, keep the ticker beating
with a normal rhythm, prevent blood clots, and reduce inflammation.
4. Last, but not the least, some
heart-healthy lifestyle changes.
One can
improve their ticker’s health by making a few lifestyle adjustments like
1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Eat a modified diet
3. Limit caffeine intake
4. Get enough sleep
5. Manage stress well
6. Quit smoking
7. Limit alcohol intake
8. Get support from their family,
friends, and doctor
9. Go for regular health check-ups
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