Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood to the whole body and can really affect one’s life expectancy and the quality of the life. Cardiomyopathy can cause heart failure. The main types of cardiomyopathy include hypertrophic, dilated and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Ischemic cardiomyopathy (IC) is a condition when your heart muscle is damaged as a result of coronary artery disease or a heart attack. So it is safe to say it is at least as common as heart attack which is a common condition.
In coronary artery disease, the arteries that supply blood to your heart muscle get thinner. This might keep necessary blood from reaching portions of your heart muscle, causing damage and therefore the weakness of your heart muscle. If you develop Ischemic cardiomyopathy, the left ventricle in your heart will likely get bigger in size, widened, and weakened. This reduces your heart’s ability to pump blood properly, which can cause heart failure.
Your doctor’s given treatment plan will take into account how much damage your heart has endured while aiming to treat the main cause of your ischemic cardiomyopathy, to avoid further disease progression, to treat any associated symptoms, and to help improve your cardiovascular function. A combination of lifestyle changes, surgery, medications, or other procedures may be suggested. Healthy lifestyle choices can cause the reduction of your risk of developing ischemic cardiomyopathy in the first place and lower your risk of any further complications.
What are the symptoms of ischemic cardiomyopathy?
It’s actually possible to have early-stage heart disease with no symptoms at all. If blood flow reduces due to coronary artery disease, you may experience some symptoms that are as follows:
- heart palpitations
- inflating in your legs and feet, known as edema
- shortness of breath
- dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- chest pain and pressure, known as angina
- cough or congestion, prompted by fluid in your lungs
- extreme fatigue
- difficulty sleeping
- swelling in your abdomen
- weight gain
If you develop these symptoms, seek medical care straight away.
disclaimer
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