Having a “big heart” can be a great thing in metaphorical terms, but in literal cases, it is a serious medical condition. Enlargement of the heart muscles is known as cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is actually a group of conditions that affect the ability of the heart muscles to pump blood.
The human heart consists of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The atria receive blood and the ventricles pump blood out of the heart. These chambers are made of a special type of muscle called cardiac muscle. Cardiomyopathy affects the size and shape of the heart muscles.
Cardiomyopathy can involve stiffening of the heart muscles, thickening of the muscles, or stretching of the heart muscles.
Types of cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathies are of four main types: dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Dilated cardiomyopathy
This is a type of condition in which the heart muscles become thin and stretched, making them weak and unable to pump blood properly. This is the most common type of cardiomyopathy.
Thinking about the heart muscle causes the heart to enlarge. Heart weakness can lead to heart failure.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
This is a genetic form of cardiomyopathy in which there is a thickening of the heart muscles that restricts blood flow through the heart and from the heart to the rest of the body. Thickening of the heart walls means that the heart cannot hold as much blood as it should.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often goes undiagnosed, but it is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac arrest in young people.
Arrhythmogenic dysplasia of the right ventricle
In this type of cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle of the ventricles is replaced by fatty and fibrous tissue. This is a rare form of cardiomyopathy.
Loss of heart muscle cells can lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. This type of cardiomyopathy is named for a mutation in the genes that control proteins made by heart cells. This causes cell death of the heart muscle cells and the dead cells are replaced by fibrous and fatty tissue.
restrictive cardiomyopathy
In restrictive cardiomyopathy, the walls of the ventricles become stiff and cannot relax. This affects the pumping of blood out of the heart. It is the least common form of cardiomyopathy.
The cause is unknown, but it may be due to scarring after a heart transplant or it may be an inherited condition.
Other types of cardiomyopathy include stress cardiomyopathy, secondary cardiomyopathy, and ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Symptoms of cardiomyopathy
Since cardiomyopathy affects the pumping functions of the heart, it can lead to the following symptoms:
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dyspnoea
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Tired
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Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
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breast bread
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Dizziness and fainting
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Low exercise tolerance
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Hypertension (high blood pressure)
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Swelling of the extremities, especially the feet and legs.
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Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
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Persistent cough, especially when lying down
Treatment of cardiomyopathy
Before starting treatment, an accurate diagnosis of cardiomyopathy is required. Diagnosis of cardiomyopathy involves a complete physical exam, electrocardiography (ECG), blood tests, genetic testing, and echocardiography.
Treatment of cardiomyopathy may include the following approaches:
Lifestyle changes, such as a low-salt diet, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol consumption.
Medicines to treat high blood pressure, swelling and fluid retention, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythms, and medicines to control heart failure.
Surgical procedures to remove thickened heart muscle
Implantation of a pacemaker
Heart transplant (in severe cases)
Implantation of an internal defibrillator
Who is at risk for cardiomyopathy?
Family history and genetic factors are one of the biggest predators in the development of cardiomyopathy. Other factors that put a person at risk for cardiomyopathy are:
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severe obesity
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Diabetes
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alcohol dependence
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sarcoidosis
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chronic hypertension
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heart attack
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HIV AIDS
Cardiomyopathy can be life-threatening but often goes undiagnosed. Being aware of your family history of heart conditions, as well as regular heart check-ups, can help detect this condition and initiate treatment if necessary.
