Heart Dysfunctions Like Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease which actually refers to the malfunctioning of the myocardium. It happens when the heart cannot pump blood the way it should due to some kind of heart dysfunctions(In French attaque cardiaque). The heart muscle becomes enlarged, thick or rigid. In some rare cases the muscle in the heart is replaced with scar tissue. It is not easy to detect this disease. Actually, this term ‘cardiomyopathy’ refers to a disease of the myocardium but actually it means having a severe myocardial disease leading to heart failure resulting in death.

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms of the disease are quite common. There may be chest pain. If the disease is mild there may be no symptoms but if the disease is severe, there will be chest pain. This disease may cause fluid to build up in the lungs, or in the legs. It may cause abnormal heart rhythms or inflammation of the lining of the heart.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of cardiomyopathy(In French cardiaque symptome) the person is suffering from. Accordingly, it could be cured with medication, implanting pacemakers or ventricular assist devices. Some people get no relief in spite of the initial treatment being done. They only feel better when the surgery is done. The objective of this kind of treatment is to give symptom relief. Ultimately, the person will need a heart transplant. Stem cell therapy may be also used to cure this problem. However, stem cell therapy has not been proved scientifically. Patients who have this disease must change their lifestyle and become more physically active.

Common Causes

The use of alcohol and drugs like cocainernChemotherapy drugsrnCoronary artery diseasernEnd stage kidney diseasernHigh blood pressurernInfections due to viruses like HIVrnPregnancyrnNutritional deficiencies

Outlook

The outlook depends on many factors. These include:rnThe type and severity of the diseasernHow well you respond to the treatmentrnHow severe the heart problem isrnAnginarnEating high salt foodsrnHeart attackrnInfections or other illnessesrnNot taking your medicine correctly Heart failure is a long drawn out, chronic disease. It may get worse with time. Severe heart dysfunctions like this are a problem for patients throughout their lives. Surgery and other medications may cease to help after a point of time.