Restrictive cardiomyopathy is when the walls of the heart’s
lower chambers, called the ventricles, are too rigid to expand as they fill
with blood. The pumping ability of the ventricles may be normal, but it’s
tougher for the ventricles to get enough blood. With time, the ticker can’t
pump properly, which leads to heart failure (HF).
Symptoms:
Many individuals with this have none or just minor ones, as
they live a normal life, while other people have ones that get more severe as
the ticker gets worse. Symptoms can happen at any age and may include fatigue;
inability to exercise; swelling of the legs and feet; weight gain; nausea,
bloating, and poor appetite; palpitations; fainting; chest pain or pressure;
shortness of breath- at first with exercise, but eventually at rest, too.
Causes:
Its cause is often unknown but may include buildup of scar
tissue, buildup of proteins in the heart muscle, chemotherapy or chest exposure
to radiation, too much iron in the ticker (also called hemochromatosis) and
other diseases.
Diagnosis:
Restrictive cardiomyopathy, in some cases may be confused
with something called constrictive pericarditis where the layers of the sac
that surrounds the heart (called the pericardium) become thickened, calcified,
and stiff. Your healthcare provider will figure out if you have restrictive
cardiomyopathy based on your symptoms, your family’s history of cardiovascular
disease, a physical exam, blood tests, an electrocardiogram, a chest X-ray, an
echocardiogram, an exercise stress test, cardiac catheterization, a CT scan, an
MRI. Sometimes a biopsy of the heart muscle is done to figure out the cause,
which involves a tissue sample being taken from your ticker and looked at under
a microscope.
Treatment:
Treatment is usually focused on treating the cause. Usually,
your healthcare provider will suggest medications and lifestyle changes.
Lifestyle changes include:
Diet- How much
sodium you get from food becomes important once you’ve symptoms like shortness
of breath or fatigue. You’ll be instructed how strict you need to be, and it’s
a good idea to follow those instructions even when your symptoms get better.
Exercise- Your
healthcare provider will let you know if it’s a good idea for you to exercise.
While being active is generally good for the ticker, people with this may get
very tired and short of breath, even after just a little bit of activity.
According to experts,
1. Exercise at
a time of day when you have the most energy, and make sure to take frequent
breaks.
2. You need to
start slow, gradually build up strength and endurance.
3. Heavy
weightlifting isn’t recommended.
Medications- Some
individuals may get better by taking types of drugs called beta-blockers and
ACE inhibitors. Your doctor may add other medicines like digoxin, diuretics,
and aldosterone inhibitors if symptoms are still around. Your doctor
may prescribe something to control your heart rate (if you have an arrhythmia)
or make the arrhythmia happen less often. You aren’t required to worry as your
doctor will let you know which medications are best for you.
Your doctor may talk to you about a heart transplant if the
condition is severe.
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