Cardiomyopathy – Types, Causes and Effect on Heart Health

Cardiomyopathy is a group of diseases of the heart muscle that affect the heart and makes it harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. Hence, one might experience health difficulties such as fatigue, shortness of breath, elevated heart pulse, and other similar health problems. Cardiomyopathy can worsen but can be treated with proper medications and medical surgeries.

Different types of cardiomyopathy include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, restricted cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia.

Issues like heart attack, heart failure, valve disease, and many such diseases are causes of worry. These disorders are red flags of a disturbed health routine. One such panicking and problematic heart issue is ‘cardiomyopathy‘.

Types of Cardiomyopathy

The heart condition can have different signs and symptoms depending upon the health condition of the patient suffering from the heart issue. Mentioned below are some of the different types of cardiomyopathy disorder forms:

• • Dilated Cardiomyopathy– Unusual tissue thinning is a result of dilated cardiomyopathy. The issue can get serious without proper medications and medical surgeries. Dilated Cardiomyopathy is also a major cause of health issues like heart failure and cardiovascular disorders. The issue can also push one to health barriers like chest pain, heart attack, blood clot, unexpected cardiac arrest, and other health issues.
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a heart condition with enlarged heart muscles. However, the issue might not be serious for a heart patient but may be hazardous for some people. The condition involves thickening heart muscles, leading to low and improper blood flow to other body parts.
  • Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: It happens because of the stiffening of the ventricle walls. It constricts the amount of blood the heart can hold. It also affects the way the heart pumps blood throughout the body.
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia happens when fibrous and fat tissues replace muscles in the heart’s right ventricle.
  • Broken Heart Syndrome: Broken Heart Syndrome is when the left ventricle of the heart enlarges and changes shape. It causes inconvenience to the heart muscles and makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood hassle-free. The condition is also termed ‘Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy’. Broken heart syndrome is majorly caused due to mental stress. However, it can also be caused due to different forms of physical stress such as acute asthma, surgery, sudden dip in blood pressure, and various similar reasons.

Causes of Cardiomyopathy

Mentioned below are the exact reasons that are responsible for Cardiomyopathy:

• • Diabetes: Diabetes is a commonly prevalent disease in people of all ages. It can ruin the heart arteries resulting in Cardiomyopathy. Such a condition is abbreviated as ‘Diabetic Cardiomyopathy‘.
  • High Cholesterol Diseases: High cholesterol is among the biggest contributing factors to heart disorders. High cholesterol leads to blockage of arteries giving rise to issues like coronary artery disease. High cholesterol diseases are also one of the major causes of Cardiomyopathy, as they interfere with the functioning of arteries, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood smoothly to other parts of the body.
  • Thyroid: The release of excess thyroid hormones affects cardiovascular functioning. It leads to causing Cardiomyopathy. It can also lead to symptoms of dilated Cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Hence, a proper thyroid check is always recommended to maintain hormonal balance and avoid heart health hazards.
  • Heart Inflammation: Though it might sound like a rare heart disorder, it can negatively disturb an individual. Heart inflammation causing Cardiomyopathy is termed ‘Myocarditis’. The condition leads to blockage in arteries, making it a hassle for the heart to pump blood to other body parts. The condition can worsen with time if not treated on time.

Effects of Cardiomyopathy on Heart Health

• • Cardiomyopathy has many side effects on heart health. Hence, this not just disturbs the patient’s normal lifestyle but also results in hampering changes in the patient’s condition. Here are some of the effects of cardiomyopathy.
  • Shortness of Breath: The inability of the heart to pump blood increases the risk of blood pressure. Hence, this is one of the major symptoms of Cardiomyopathy. Shortness of breath can also result in issues such as anxiety, asthma, blood clot, chest infection, and many similar issues.
  • Dizziness– Cardiomyopathy leads to improper blood flow to the brain and other body parts. Hence, a person feels dizzy and light-headed. The condition might also result in a sudden loss of consciousness.
  • Chest Pain– Chest pain is another symptom of Cardiomyopathy. One might experience it due to low blood flow. The blood flow lowers due to narrowed arteries.
  • Elevated Heartbeats- Cardiomyopathy leads to disturbance in the electric signalling of the heartbeats. It leads to improper functioning of the heart and symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, and other symptoms.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert cardiology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

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Conclusion

A hectic lifestyle is a disturbance in an individual’s routine. But, with time, it can result in serious health and even heart disorders. Cardiomyopathy is a heart disorder that develops with the passing of time and continuous negligence towards a healthy lifestyle. Hence, it is always advised to maintain a wholesome and active lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Cardiomyopathy?
A. Cardiomyopathy is a heart issue in which a barrier forms in the heart muscles, making it difficult to pump blood to other body parts.

Q. What are the different types of Cardiomyopathy?
A. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, dilated Cardiomyopathy, restrictive Cardiomyopathy, and broken heart syndrome are some forms of Cardiomyopathy.

Q. What are the symptoms of Cardiomyopathy?
A. Some common symptoms of Cardiomyopathy include chest pain, elevated heartbeats, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, and many similar signs.

Q. How does Cardiomyopathy affect an individual’s lifestyle?
A. Cardiomyopathy, a heart disorder, results in issues like heavy panting, short breath, and difficulty performing routine functions like climbing stairs, running, gymming, and other similar activities.

Q. What are the risk factors of Cardiomyopathy?
A. Factors such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy food habits, diabetes, and various similar issues are the risk factors of Cardiomyopathy.

Q. How can the symptoms of Cardiomyopathy be reversed?
A. Cardiomyopathy is a heart disorder. Therefore, one can avoid harmful activities such as unhealthy food habits, a sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption to maintain the smooth functioning of the heart.