Overview Of Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy
Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy is synonymous with Cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes weakened, stretched, or has another structural problem.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes weakened and enlarged. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of the body.
There are many types of cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form, but it may be the result of different underlying conditions. Some health care providers use the term to indicate a specific condition, called idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. There is no known cause for this type of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Commonly Associated With
Cardiomyopathy – dilated; Primary cardiomyopathy; Diabetic cardiomyopathy; Idiopathic cardiomyopathy; Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
Causes Of Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy
The most common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy are:
Heart disease caused by a narrowing or blockage in the coronary arteries
Poorly controlled high blood pressure
There are many other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy, including:
Alcohol or cocaine (or other illegal drugs) abuse
Diabetes, thyroid disease, or hepatitis
Medicines that can be toxic to the heart, such as drugs used to treat cancer
Abnormal heart rhythms in which the heart beats very fast for a long period of time
Autoimmune illnesses
Conditions that run in families
Infections that involve the heart muscle
Heart valves that are either too narrow or too leaky
During the last month of pregnancy, or within 5 months after the baby is born.
Exposure to heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cobalt, or mercury
This condition can affect anyone at any age. However, it is most common in adult men.
Symptoms Of Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy
Symptoms of heart failure are most common. They most often develop slowly over time. However, sometimes symptoms start very suddenly and may be severe.
Common symptoms are:
Chest pain or pressure (more likely with exercise)
Cough
Fatigue, weakness, faintness
Irregular or rapid pulse
Loss of appetite
Shortness of breath with activity or after lying down (or being asleep) for a while
Swelling of feet and ankles
Exams & Tests
During the exam, the health care provider may find:
The heart is enlarged.
Lung crackles (a sign of fluid buildup), heart murmur, or other abnormal sounds.
The liver is possibly enlarged.
Neck veins may be bulging.
A number of laboratory tests may be done to determine the cause of idiopathic cardiomyopathy:
Antinuclear antibody (ANA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and other tests to diagnose autoimmune illnesses
Antibody test to identify infections such as Lyme disease and HIV
Iron tests of the blood
Serum TSH and T4 test to identify thyroid problems
Tests for amyloidosis (blood, urine)
Heart enlargement or other problems with the structure and function of the heart (such as weak squeezing) may show up on these tests. They may also help diagnose the exact cause of the problem:
Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart)
Cardiac stress tests
Chest x-ray
Coronary angiogram to look at blood flow to the heart
Cardiac catheterization to measure pressures in and around the heart
CT scan of the heart
MRI of the heart
Nuclear heart scan (scintigraphy, MUGA, RNV)
A heart biopsy, in which a small piece of the heart muscle is removed, may be needed depending on the cause. However, this is rarely done.
Treatment Of Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy
Things you can do at home to take care of your condition include:
Know your body, and watch for symptoms that your heart failure is getting worse.
Watch for changes in your symptoms, heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, and weight.
Limit how much you drink and how much salt (sodium) you get in your diet.
Most people who have heart failure need to take medicines. Some medicines treat your symptoms. Others may help prevent your heart failure from becoming worse or may prevent other heart problems.
Procedures and surgeries you may need include:
A pacemaker to help treat slow heart rates or help your heartbeat stay in sync
A defibrillator that recognizes life-threatening heart rhythms and sends an electrical pulse (shock) to stop them
Heart bypass (CABG) surgery or angioplasty to improve blood flow to the damaged or weakened heart muscle
Valve replacement or repair
For advanced cardiomyopathy:
A heart transplant may be recommended if standard treatments have not worked and heart failure symptoms are very severe.
Placement of a ventricular assist device or artificial heart may be considered.
Chronic heart failure becomes worse over time. Many people who have heart failure will die from the condition. Thinking about the type of care you may want at the end of life and discussing these issues with loved ones and your health care provider is important.
