What are the symptoms of Chagas cardiomyopathy?

(See "Chagas disease: Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection".) Patients with CCC may be asymptomatic or present with symptoms such as dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, syncope, chest pain (atypical or angina), and edema.

What type of cardiomyopathy does Chagas cause?

Chagas disease (CD) is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that can cause acute myopericarditis as well as chronic fibrosing cardiomyopathy.

What are 4 signs of cardiomyopathy?

What is the cardiac manifestation of Chagas disease?

Typical cardiac manifestations of Chagas disease include dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, cardioembolism and stroke.

What are EKG findings typical of Chagas cardiomyopathy?

The earliest manifestations are usually conduction system abnormalities, usually right bundle branch block and/or left anterior fascicular block. Other early changes may include segmental left ventricular wall motion abnormalities.

Chagas Disease | American Trypanosomiasis | Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

How do you confirm cardiomyopathy?

A heart biopsy, or myocardial biopsy, is used to diagnose some types of cardiomyopathy. For this test, your doctor will remove a very small piece of your heart muscle to check for signs of cardiomyopathy. This can be done during cardiac catheterization.

What is the most common test to diagnose cardiomyopathy?

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): An EKG records the heart's electrical activity, showing how fast the heart is beating and whether its rhythm is steady or irregular. An EKG can detect cardiomyopathy as well as other problems, including heart attacks, arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats) and heart failure.

What is chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy?

Parasite-dependent inflammation and myocardial damage - Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy is an acquired cardiomyopathy characterised by sparse inflammatory infiltrates, minimal parasitaemia, low-grade tissue parasitism, and intense and extensive reparative and reactive fibrosis (Rossi 1991).

What is the initial symptom of Chagas disease?

Symptoms may include swelling at the infection site, fever, fatigue, body aches, rash and nausea.

What is Chagas disease dilated cardiomyopathy?

Chagas disease (CD) is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that can cause acute myopericarditis as well as chronic fibrosing myocarditis. CD is the most common cause of nonischemic cardiomyopathy in Latin America [1].

Does cardiomyopathy show up on blood test?

One blood test can measure B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a protein produced in the heart. A blood level of BNP might rise during heart failure, a common complication of cardiomyopathy.

What triggers cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy can be caused by your gene, other medical conditions, or extreme stress. It can also happen or get worse during pregnancy. Many times, the cause is not known. Treatments include medicines, procedures, and implanted devices.

Can you fully recover from cardiomyopathy?

There is no cure for cardiomyopathy. However, you can manage the condition or slow its progression. People who make healthy lifestyle choices and seek medical treatment can live a high quality of life with cardiomyopathy.

What is the most common form of cardiomyopathy *?

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common type, occurring mostly in adults younger than 50. It affects the heart's ventricles and atria, the lower and upper chambers of the heart. Frequently, the disease starts in the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber.

Can you survive Chagas disease?

Chagas disease (T. cruzi infection) is also referred to as American trypanosomiasis. It is estimated that as many as 8 million people in Mexico, Central America, and South America have Chagas disease, most of whom do not know they are infected. If untreated, infection is lifelong and can be life threatening.

How do you test for Chagas disease?

The diagnosis of Chagas disease can be made by observation of the parasite in a blood smear by microscopic examination. A thick and thin blood smear are made and stained for visualization of parasites.

Can you have Chagas and not know it?

Many people may remain asymptomatic for life and never develop Chagas-related symptoms. However, an estimated 20–30% of infected people will develop severe and sometimes life-threatening medical problems over the course of their lives. A dilated esophagus or colon, leading to difficulties with eating or passing stool.

How long can you live with Chagas?

About 70-80% of people will remain asymptomatic for life and never develop Chagas-related symptoms. However, an estimated 20–30% of infected people will develop health problems years to decades later that are often fatal.

When should I get tested for Chagas disease?

Indications for Testing

Laboratory testing for Chagas disease is indicated in individuals who are at risk when clinical findings point to acute- or chronic-phase infection.

What is the lifespan of someone with cardiomyopathy?

Life expectancy with cardiomyopathy varies based on many factors, including stage and class of cardiomyopathy, with life expectancy being lower for those with severe, symptomatic heart failure (stage D). A 2019 analysis showed that the overall five-year survival rate for people with heart failure was about 50%.

How does Chagas cause heart failure?

The pathology of Chagas disease is based in an inmunoinflammatory reaction producing fibrosis and remodelling, mainly in the myocardium. In many cases these mechanisms result in a dilated cardiomyopathy with HF and reduced ejection fraction, frequent cardiac arrhythmias and different types of heart block.

What organ system does Chagas disease affect?

Over several years or even decades, Chagas disease affects the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system, the digestion system and the heart. Specific medical treatments and surgery may be necessary.

What is the best medication for cardiomyopathy?

What happens if cardiomyopathy goes untreated?

If untreated, cardiomyopathy can weaken the heart, leading to more serious conditions, including lessened blood flow, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats), problems with the heart's valves and heart failure.

Who is most at risk for cardiomyopathy?

Males and females of all ages and races can have cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy is more common in blacks than in whites and in males than in females. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is thought to be the most common inherited or genetic heart disease.