What are the warning signs of cardiomyopathy?

Signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy include:
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially with physical exertion.
  • Fatigue.
  • Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen and veins in the neck.
  • Dizziness.
  • Lightheadedness.
  • Fainting during physical activity.
  • Arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats)
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What are the first signs of a weak heart?

Signs of a Weakened Heart Muscle
  • Shortness of breath (also known as dyspnea), particularly when you lie down or exert yourself.
  • Chest pain, especially a heavy sensation in your chest indicative of heart failure caused by a heart attack.
  • Fatigue.
  • Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet (also known as edema)
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Can you have cardiomyopathy and not know it?

There might be no signs or symptoms in the early stages of cardiomyopathy. But as the condition advances, signs and symptoms usually appear, including: Breathlessness with activity or even at rest.
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Is walking good for cardiomyopathy?

Daily light exercise is safe for most people with cardiomyopathy and heart failure and can help them to manage symptoms. Over time, it can reduce heart rate and blood pressure. Your NYU Langone heart specialist can recommend an exercise program that's right for you. It may include walking, cycling, or jogging.
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What does the beginning of heart failure feel like?

Chest pain. Fainting or severe weakness. Rapid or irregular heartbeat associated with shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting. Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up white or pink, foamy mucus.
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Symptoms of Heart Failure



What is a cardiac cough like?

A productive cough that produces white or blood-tinged mucus could also be a sign of fluid buildup in the lungs. It can also cause labored breathing and wheezing.
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How do I know if my heart is OK?

Diagnostic tests could include blood tests, cardiac CT scan, cardiac MRI, cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography, echocardiography, stress testing, electrocardiogram and others.
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How do you sleep with cardiomyopathy?

Here are 5 things to try if you have heart failure and are struggling to get a good night's sleep.
  1. Get screened for sleep apnea. ...
  2. Sleep on your side. ...
  3. Elevate the head of your bed. ...
  4. Elevate your feet. ...
  5. Avoid sleeping flat on your back, unless you have a CPAP machine.
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What is the most common treatment for cardiomyopathy?

Treatment options for cardiomyopathy
  • Lifestyle changes. Stopping alcohol use. Monitoring salt intake.
  • Medicines. Lower blood pressure. ...
  • Surgically implanted device that helps maintain proper heart rhythm.
  • Ablation procedure. Removes extra heart tissue to reduce thickening. ...
  • Heart transplant (for a severely damaged heart)
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Does cardiomyopathy cause shortness of breath?

If you have cardiomyopathy, your heart can't efficiently pump blood to the rest of your body. As a result, you may experience fatigue, shortness of breath or heart palpitations. Cardiomyopathy gets worse over time. Treatment can slow the progression and improve your quality of life.
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Can a blood test detect cardiomyopathy?

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. Genetic testing or screening. Cardiomyopathy can be passed down through families (inherited).
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Who is most at risk for cardiomyopathy?

This occurs most often in adults ages 20 to 60. It is more common in men than women, but has been diagnosed in people of all ages, including children.
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How do they test for 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.
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What drinks are good for your heart?

Heart-healthy drinks (other than water)
  • Sparkling water (try adding chopped fruit or herbs; for example, fresh mint).
  • Unflavoured milk.
  • Plant-based milks with added calcium, like soy, almond, oat, rice milk.
  • Tea.
  • Coffee.
  • Small glass (125ml) of 100% fruit or vegetable juice.
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What does heart failure fatigue feel like?

People with heart failure may feel constantly tired and have difficulty performing daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs or carrying groceries.
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Can a weak heart become strong again?

Exercise increased the growth of new muscle cells and blood vessels in the weakened muscles of people with heart failure, according to two new studies. In chronic heart failure, the heart can't pump enough blood to other organs in the body.
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Can you live a long life with cardiomyopathy?

With proper care, many people can live long and full lives with a cardiomyopathy diagnosis. When recommending treatment, we always consider the least invasive approach first. Options range from lifestyle support and medications to implantable devices, procedures, and surgeries.
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What is the best drugs for cardiomyopathy?

Drugs that are used to treat heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy include:
  • Blood pressure medications. ...
  • Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto). ...
  • Water pills (diuretics). ...
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin). ...
  • Ivabradine (Corlanor). ...
  • Blood-thinners (anticoagulants).
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What are the stages of cardiomyopathy?

There are four stages of heart failure, named A, B, C and D.
  • Heart Failure Stage A. Pre-heart failure, which means that you are at high risk of developing heart failure.
  • Heart Failure Stage B. ...
  • Heart Failure Stage C. ...
  • Heart Failure Stage D.
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What are the signs of needing a pacemaker?

What Are the Signs You Need a Pacemaker?
  • You Feel Extremely Fatigued. ...
  • You Frequently Get Lightheaded or Dizzy. ...
  • You Fainted, But You Don't Know Why. ...
  • You Have Palpitations or an Intense Pounding in Your Chest. ...
  • You Have Chest Pain. ...
  • You Are Short of Breath or Have Difficulty Breathing.
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What is the best side to sleep on for your heart?

If you sleep on your right side, the pressure of your body smashes up against the blood vessels that return to your ticker, but “sleeping on your left side with your right side not squished is supposed to potentially increase blood flow back to your heart.” And anything you can do to help your most important organ pump ...
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What is non cardiac chest pain like?

Noncardiac chest pain is often described as feeling like angina, the chest pain caused by heart disease. It feels like a painful squeezing or tightness in your chest, or like pressure or heaviness, particularly behind your sternum. You may feel it on the right side or the left side or in the middle.
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Should seniors take 81 mg aspirin daily?

People 60 years and older should not start taking daily aspirin to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
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Where is heart pain located?

Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.
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