Cardiomyopathy By: Sachelle Martin

What is Cardiomyopathy ? A disease in the heart muscle that makes it enlarged and more rigid than normal In rare cases, scar tissue replaces the muscle tissue.

The 3 main types of Cardiomyopathy Dilated Cardiomyopathy- a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - a condition in which the heart muscle becomes thick Restrictive Cardiomyopathy- changes in and weakening of the heart muscle , which causes the heart to fill poorly, squeeze poorly , or both.

Causes of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Alcohol and drug abuse Abnormal heart rhythms Autoimmune illnesses Hereditary factors Infections that involve the heart muscle Heart valves that are too narrow or too leaky Trace elements such as lead and mercury

Causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Usually inherited A result of several heart defects within the genes that control the heart muscle growth

Causes of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Most common cause is a build up of amyloid proteins in organs (amyloidosis ) Scarring of the heart from an unknown cause ( idiopathic myocardial fibrosis ) Carcinoid heart disease ( tumors in the heart) Diseases of the heart lining ( endocardium ) Iron overload ( hemochromatosis ) Scarring after radiation or chemotherapy Tumors of the heart

What are the symptoms ? Cough Difficulty breathing Chest pain Fatigue Loss of appetite Swelling of feet and ankles Shortness of breath Dizziness Decreased alertness or concentration

How common is the disease ? It can affect both children and adults. Most common in middle-aged men. About 2 in 10,000 people are affected by the disease every year.

What are the risk factors ? Higher risk of sudden death May need medicines or a defibrillator Risk for deadly heart rhythms May need a heart transplant

How is the disease diagnosed ? Changes on the electrocardiogram Changes on chest x-ray An ultrasound scan of the heart , called an echocardiogram

What are some treatments ? Blood thinning medications Chemotherapy Diuretics to remove fluids and help improve breathing Heart bypass Heart transplant A pacemaker Limiting sodium level consumed An implanted defibrillator

Bibliography Hare JM. “The dilated, restrictive, and infiltrative cardiomyopathies.” MedlinePlus. Eds. Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P . Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 4 June. 2012 . < www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000189.htm> Maron BJ. “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.” MedlinePlus. Eds. Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P . Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 4 June. 2012. <www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000192.htm> Uknown. “Cardiomyopathy . “ MedlinePlus. 4 June. 2012. <www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cardiomyopathy.html>