Cardiomyopathy is a disease related to the heart muscle. In this condition, the heart muscle becomes weak, stretched, or has problems with its structure. This condition is often called a weak heart or weak heart. Most cases of cardiomyopathy cause the heart muscle to become large, thick, or stiff. However, in rare cases, the weakened heart muscle tissue will be replaced with scar tissue or sores. When weakened, the heart cannot pump blood properly. This has the potential to cause irregular heartbeats, blood building up in the lungs, heart valve problems, or heart failure.
Cardiomyopathy cases are often undiagnosed, so the incidence varies. However, as reported by the CDC, it is estimated that around 1 in 500 people have the potential to experience this condition. This case of heart weakness can happen to anyone at any age. However, this disease is more often found in adults and the elderly. Apart from that, the incidence of this disease in men and women is not much different. Here are some things to know about Cardiomyopathy
Types of Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy conditions are generally divided into 4 types based on how the disease affects the heart muscle. The 4 types include:
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy ( Dilated Cardiomyopathy )
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition when the left chamber (ventricle) of the heart enlarges or widens and the walls of the heart muscle become thinner. This condition causes the heart to weaken, so its ability to pump blood throughout the body is reduced. Heart failure, heart valve disease, blood clots in the heart, and irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) may be long-term effects of this disorder.
This type of cardiomyopathy can attack anyone and at any time. However, adult men are more likely to experience this disease. Apart from that, children with cardiomyopathy usually also experience this type. Often the exact cause of this disease is unknown. However, heart weakness like this is usually caused by genetic or other hereditary factors, such as alcohol consumption or use of certain drugs. - Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy)
This type of weak heart is one of the most common and can be found in patients of various age groups. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart muscle enlarges and thickens without a clear cause. The walls of the ventricles, the floor of the heart chambers, and the septum—the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart—are usually where thickening of the heart muscle occurs. The ventricular space is narrowed and blocked due to this disease, making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood. Stiff ventricles, changes in the mitral valve, and changes in heart tissue cells can also be caused by this disease. In general, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is caused by symptoms of aging, hereditary (genetic) causes, or other emerging diseases such as hypertension. - Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disorder that occurs because the ventricles become stiff or inelastic, but generally there is no thickening of the ventricular walls. Therefore, the ventricles become stiff and result in the heart not expanding and unable to accommodate blood properly. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the rarest type.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy generally occurs due to iron overload (hemochromatosis), connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma, cancer treatment, or other diseases that damage the heart, such as amyloidosis and sarcoidosis. - Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD)
This type is the rarest. In ARVD, muscle tissue in the right ventricle of the heart is replaced with fat or fibrous tissue. This can result in disruption of the heart's electrical system, potentially causing an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia. ARVD generally attacks patients aged teenagers or young adults, and generally occurs due to hereditary factors. This disease also has the potential to cause sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.
Causes and Symptoms of Cardiomyopathy
Many factors can cause cardiomyopathy or a weak heart in a person. However, most of these cases occur due to genetic factors or inheritance from parents. Apart from genetic factors, other conditions can also cause a weak heart. The following are several conditions that can also cause cardiomyopathy to occur:
- Persistent high blood pressure, or hypertension.
- Have a history of heart problems, including coronary arteries, heart attack, etc.
- Long-term use of cocaine or alcohol.
- Problems with heart valves.
- Receiving chemotherapy for current cancer treatment.
- Pregnancy.
- Autoimmune.
- Heart muscle infection.
Cardiomyopathy or weak heart generally does not have specific characteristics, signs or symptoms. However, in some cases, symptoms will appear as the disease progresses. As cardiomyopathy worsens, the heart weakens. Weak hearts tend to have signs or symptoms of heart failure, such as:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, especially with vigorous physical activity.
- Fatigue.
- Coughing while lying down.
- Swelling of the ankles, soles of the feet, legs, stomach and veins in the neck.
- Dizzy.
- Fainting during activity.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Chest pain after heavy activity or eating a lot.
- Sounds accompanying heartbeat.
- Stomach bloating due to fluid buildup.
Cardiomyopathy Treatment
See a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of cardiomyopathy so that it can be diagnosed further. After confirming that the disease is indeed cardiomyopathy, the doctor will prescribe a number of medications. Here are the steps for treating cardiomyopathy:
- Prescribing medications, such as antihypertensive drugs, antiarrhythmics, diuretics, corticosteroids, anticoagulants, and so on, to treat symptoms of cardiomyopathy
- Surgery known as myectomy is used to remove aberrant heart muscle tissue. Patients with persistent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy usually undergo this procedure.
- Pacemaker or pacemaker implant to help flow electricity to the heart. Improving heart rate regularity is the goal.
- If alternative treatments are unsuccessful, a heart transplant will be performed as a last resort. When a patient suffers from cardiomyopathy, his damaged heart is replaced with a healthy donor heart during a heart transplant.
Apart from receiving medical treatment, you must change your lifestyle to treat cardiomyopathy. This can also avoid the occurrence of cardiomyopathy by using this technique. Lifestyle adjustments that need to be made are as follows:
- A healthy diet for the heart.
- Maintain ideal body weight.
- Manage or overcome stress.
- Regular light exercise.
- Quit smoking.
- Reduce drinking alcohol.
- Enough sleep.
Cardiomyopathy, or what is often referred to as weak heart disease, is a serious condition that affects a person's heart health. Although not always easily diagnosed, understanding the symptoms and recognizing risk factors can aid in early detection and effective management. By understanding the types, causes, symptoms, and treatment of cardiomyopathy, you can take proactive steps to maintain a healthy heart.
Article written by dr. Heri Hernawan, Sp. JP FIHA (Heart and Blood Vessel Specialist at EMC Tangerang Hospital).