Cardiomyopathy (Heart Muscle Disease)

Cardiomyopathy Treatment in Dubai at Emirates Hospitals. Cardiomyopathy is a condition that affects the heart muscle known as the myocardium. The condition can produce scar tissue, which results in the patient’s heart getting stiffer, bigger, or thicker, hence resulting in an inadequate supply of blood to the rest of the body.

If left untreated, patient’s heart may deteriorate over time, and cardiomyopathy may result in heart failure. In severe cases, some cardiomyopathy patients may eventually require a heart transplant. Our Cardiology team at Emirates Hospitals Group are experts in diagnosing and treating a wide range of heart conditions. 

Types of Cardiomyopathy Disease

• Restrictive cardiomyopathy: This type prevents the heart from expanding and filling with blood between heartbeats because it stiffens and loses flexibility. Older people are the most frequently affected.
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia: This is a rare type of cardiomyopathy that occurs when the muscle in the lower right heart chamber (right ventricle) is replaced by scar tissue which can eventually cause cardiac rhythm problems.
• Unclassified cardiomyopathy: This includes other forms of cardiomyopathy.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy: The heart’s primary pumping chamber (the left ventricle) dilates (enlarges) and is unable to efficiently pump blood out of the heart.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This type results in abnormal heart muscle thickening, which makes the heart’s function more difficult. It mostly affects the heart’s main pumping chamber’s muscle (left ventricle).

Symptoms of Cardiomyopathy Disease

Signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy include:

• Difficulty lying down to sleep
• Chest discomfort
• Dizziness
• Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Rapid heartbeat

Diagnosis of Cardiomyopathy disease

If our cardiologists suspects a heart condition we recommend the following diagnostic tests:

• Echocardiogram (ECG)
• Cardiac CT: This involves the use of X-rays to make a video of the patient’s blood vessels and heart.
• Exercise stress test: This is used to test how the heart responds to extremely vigorous activity.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): Used to record the heart’s electrical activity of the patient.
• Cardiac catheterization: Involves the use of a small tube/catheter that is inserted through a blood vessel to measure the patient’s blood flow and pressure.
• Ambulatory monitoring: Tracking your heart rhythm.
• Myocardial biopsy

Treatment for Cardiomyopathy Disease

The ultimate goal of cardiomyopathy treatment is to control the symptoms and slow down the disease’s progression. Regular checkups are recommended so that close monitoring of the heart’s health is effective. The following treatment options may be recommended:

• Devices such as implantable cardiovascular defibrillators (ICDs) to correct arrhythmias, treat irregular heart rhythms and monitor one’s heartbeat.
• Devices to improve blood flow:
• Medication
• Surgery – In some instanced you may be recommended heart surgery

 How to Reduce the Risk of Cardiomyopathy Disease

Preventing congenital (inherited) cardiomyopathy is difficult, however, one can control the risk of conditions that could result in cardiomyopathy disease by:

• Controlling blood pressure
• One should keep his/her cholesterol within recommended healthy ranges
• Taking medication as prescribed
• Managing underlying conditions such as diabetes