Cardiomyopathy means disease of the heart muscle, as opposed to disease of the heart valves or coronary circulation. It damages the muscle tone of the heart, dangerously reducing its ability to pump blood effectively. Cardiomyopathy poses a significant threat because it often goes unrecognized and untreated.
It is also different from other heart problems because it frequently affects younger people, and often results in sudden death.
There are four types of Heart muscle disease
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
It is the most common form of Cardiomyopathy. Also called Congestive Cardiomyopathy, it affects the chambers of the heart by weakening their walls. In about 80 per cent of cases, no cause can be found. This type of Dilated Cardiomyopathy is called idiopathic.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
It is the second most common form of Cardiomyopathy. It is a genetically inherited cardiac disease characterized by a thickening of the heart’s walls.
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
This one is very rare. It gets its name because the condition restricts the heart from stretching properly, which limits the amount of blood that can fill the heart’s chambers.
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
It is the loss or weakening of heart muscle tissue that results from Coronary artery disease and Heart attacks. Treatment for Ischemic Cardiomyopathy is similar to that of other forms of Cardiomyopathy, with special attention given to correcting the reversible aspects of Coronary artery disease. Although Cardiomyopathy is among the less frequent forms of heart disease, it’s still important to be aware of the role heredity plays in the disease and to be familiar with its symptoms.
Check your family’s medical history to learn if you are at risk. Regardless of your genetic predisposition, you need to know the warning signs: unexplained shortness of breath, fluid retention, fainting, or chest pains. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor. In addition, because excess alcohol consumption, inadequate nutrition, and exposure to toxins can all cause Cardiomyopathy, you can reduce your risks by adopting a heart–healthy lifestyle.
