Having a "big heart" ' may be a good thing in terms of metaphor, but in general, this is a serious medical condition. Myocardial enlargement is called cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is actually a group of conditions that affect the ability of the heart muscle to pump blood.

The human heart consists of four chambers – two atriums and two ventricles. The atrium receives blood and the ventricles pump blood out of the heart. These chambers are made of special muscle called the myocardium. Cardiomyopathy affects the size and shape of the myocardium.

Cardiomyopathy can involve stiffness of the heart muscle, thickening of the muscles, or stretching of the heart muscle.

Type of cardiomyopathy

There are four main types of cardiomyopathy: dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy

This is a state in which the myocardium becomes thin and stretched, which makes them weak and does not sufficiently draw blood. This is the most common type of cardiomyopathy.

Thinning of the heart muscle causes the heart to expand. The weakness of the heart can lead to heart failure.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

This is a genetic form of cardiomyopathy in which the heart muscle thickens, which limits the flow of blood through the heart and from the heart to other parts of the body. Thickening of the heart wall means that the heart cannot hold as much blood as possible.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is often undiagnosed, but it is the leading cause of cardiac arrest in young people.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

In this type of cardiomyopathy, the ventricle's myocardium is replaced by fat and fibrous tissue. This is a rare cardiomyopathy.

Loss of cardiomyocytes can lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. This type of cardiomyopathy is invoked by genetic mutations that control proteins that produce cardiomyocytes. This leads to the death of cardiomyocytes, which are replaced by fibrous tissue and fat.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy

In restrictive cardiomyopathy, the ventricular wall becomes stiff and does not relax. This will affect the blood pumping out of the heart. It is the least common form of cardiomyopathy.

The cause is not known, but it may be scar formation after heart transplantation or may be a hereditary disease.

Other types of cardiomyopathy include stress cardiomyopathy, secondary cardiomyopathy, and ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Symptoms of cardiomyopathy

Because cardiomyopathy affects the pumping function of the heart, it can cause the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Abnormal heart rhythm [arrhythmia]
• Chest pain
• Dizziness and fainting
• Low exercise tolerance
• Hypertension [hypertension]
• Swelling of limbs, especially feet and legs
• Abdominal fluid accumulation
• Sustained coughing, especially when lying down

Treatment of cardiomyopathy

It is necessary to accurately diagnose cardiomyopathy before starting treatment. The diagnosis of cardiomyopathy includes a comprehensive physical examination, electrocardiogram [ECG], blood test, genetic testing and echocardiography.

Treatment of cardiomyopathy can include the following methods:

Lifestyle changes, such as low-salt diets, no smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol consumption.

A drug used to treat high blood pressure, swelling and fluid retention, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythm and drugs for the treatment of heart failure.

Surgical removal of thickened myocardium

Implanted pacemaker

Heart transplant [in severe cases]

Implanted internal defibrillator

Who has cardiomyopathy?

Family history and genetic factors are among the biggest predators of cardiomyopathy development. Other factors that put people at risk for cardiomyopathy are:

• Severe obesity
• Diabetes
• Alcohol dependence
• Sarcoidosis
• Chronic hypertension
• heart attack
• HIV AIDS

Cardiomyopathy can be life-threatening, but it is often impossible to diagnose. Knowing your heart condition and regular cardiac exams can help detect this condition and start treatment when needed.

Cardiomyopathy: A big heart is not always a good thing was originally published on Spring