What is the main cause of cardiomyopathy?

Viral infections in the heart are a major cause of cardiomyopathy. In some cases, another disease or its treatment causes cardiomyopathy. This might include complex congenital (present at birth) heart disease, nutritional deficiencies, uncontrollable, fast heart rhythms, or certain types of chemotherapy for cancer.

What is the most common cause of cardiomyopathy?

The most common cause is coronary artery disease or heart attack. However, it can also be caused by genetic changes. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This type involves abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, which makes it harder for the heart to work.

Which is the most common cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is thought to be the most common inherited or genetic heart disease. While this type of cardiomyopathy occurs at many ages, in children and young adults with this condition there may be no symptoms, yet they are at high risk of sudden cardiac death.

Who is most at risk for cardiomyopathy?

Family history of cardiomyopathy, heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) A disease or condition that can lead to cardiomyopathy, such as coronary heart disease, heart attack or a viral infection that inflames the heart muscle. Diabetes or other metabolic diseases, or severe obesity.

Can you recover from cardiomyopathy?

For example, patients with a very low ejection fraction can eventually completely recover from peripartum cardiomyopathy. Some patients recover only part of their heart function over a period of six months or longer. With others, the heart returns to full strength in as little as two weeks.

Can I 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.

How long do cardiomyopathy patients live?

Although there have been recent improvements in congestive heart failure treatment, researchers say the prognosis for people with the disease is still bleak, with about 50% having an average life expectancy of less than five years.

What is the most common treatment for cardiomyopathy?

What are the 5 main types of cardiomyopathy?

Is cardiomyopathy the same as heart failure?

Heart failure can occur when the heart muscle is weak (systolic failure) or when it is stiff and unable to relax normally (diastolic failure). Cardiomyopathy, which means “disease of the heart muscle,” is one of many causes of heart failure.

Are you born with cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy can be present at birth or have new onset at any age, and symptoms may or may not be present for many years. The normal heart has four chambers.

What are the stages of cardiomyopathy?

Does cardiomyopathy run in families?

Cardiomyopathy Can Run in Families

Cardiomyopathy is often inherited from one generation to another. Once she was diagnosed, Goodes made the connection that her mother died of cardiac arrest at 67. Her grandmother died at a young age, too. Genetic testing can identify other members of the family at risk.

How do you detect 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.

Can cardiomyopathy be treated with medication?

Many medications are used to treat cardiomyopathy. Your health care professional may prescribe medicines to: Lower your blood pressure. ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers are examples of medicines that lower blood pressure.

What is the best drugs for cardiomyopathy?

Digoxin (Lanoxin).

This drug can strengthen heart muscle contractions. It also tends to slow the heartbeat. Digoxin may reduce heart failure symptoms and make it easier to be active.

Is cardiomyopathy considered a terminal illness?

Over the last 10 years, there has been a realisation that heart failure (itself the final common pathway of several aetiologies such as hypertension, ischaemic and valvular heart disease, and cardiomyopathy) is a terminal illness.

Does exercise help 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.

How do they fix cardiomyopathy?

Treatment for cardiomyopathy may include medications, lifestyle changes or surgery. Although there is no cure for cardiomyopathy, you can manage the condition. People who receive treatment can live a high quality of life with cardiomyopathy.

What body systems does cardiomyopathy affect?

Cardiomyopathy refers to problems with your heart muscle that can make it harder for your heart to pump blood. There are many types and causes of cardiomyopathy, and it can affect people of all ages.

How do you strengthen a weak heart?

How do you know when heart failure is near the end?

In the final stages of heart failure, people feel breathless both during activity and at rest. Persistent coughing or wheezing. This may produce white or pink mucus. The cough may be worse at night or when lying down.

What are the 4 signs of heart failure?

Can you live 20 years heart failure?

In general, about half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive five years. About 30% will survive for 10 years. In patients who receive a heart transplant, about 21% of patients are alive 20 years later.

Can you drive if you have cardiomyopathy?

You must stop driving if you are having symptoms and they: affect your ability to drive safely. distract you when driving.