Cardiomyopathy Turkey
The heart is composed of many tissues that work in harmony with each other. Cardiac muscle is one of those tissues. The muscle tissue that makes up the heart contracts regularly with the help of electrical signals and pumps blood to the body. In this way, the cells are oxygenated, nourished and produce the energy the body needs.
Problems may occur in the heart muscle as a result of heart diseases or diseases originating from other parts of the body. These problems can make it harder for the heart muscle to do its function. They can lead to very important problem for the general health of the person. Cardiac muscle diseases are commonly known as “cardiomyopathy”. This name comes from the word “myocardium”, which means heart muscle in medical language.
Due to heart muscle diseases, the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body. As a result, many serious disorders can occur, from rhythm disorders to heart failure. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose and treat these diseases, which are generally known as cardiomyopathy, in a timely manner. In the rest of our article, we will talk about cardiomyopathies, the symptoms they cause, and the treatment of cardiomyopathy.
You can call us to get detailed information about cardiomyopathy in Turkey, Dr. You can make an appointment with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ömer Uz.
What is Cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy is the word used to describe diseases that occur in the heart muscle. In some cases, the muscle tissue that composed of the heart may grow in abnormal sizes, and depending on these conditions, it may be difficult to do its function as it should. Heart muscle diseases are generally divided into two branches. These; They are known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an increase in the amount of heart muscle. During hypertrophic cardiomyopathies, the walls of the heart thicken.
In dilated cardiomyopathy is an enlargement of the heart size, rhythm disturbances are also seen. Both types have problems with the heart’s pumping of blood.
What are the Reasons of Cardiomyopathy?
Causes of cardiomyopathy may include:
- Damage to the heart muscle as a result of occlusion (heart attack) in coronary artery.
- Uncontrolled heartbeats due to rhythm disorders and its enlargement accordingly.
- Heart muscle infections known as myocarditis.
- Regular use of certain medications.
- Excessive consumption of alcohol and/or cigarettes.
- Some treatments with the radiotherapy.
Cardiac muscle diseases caused by the reasons we have listed are known as secondary cardiomyopathy. In some people, heart muscle diseases are seen genetically. In other words, they do not occur due to any disease or drug use. These are called primary cardiomyopathy in medical language.
What Are the Types of Cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy can have different names according to the region of origin and the health problems they cause, these are:
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy is one of the most common heart muscle diseases. This condition is an abnormal enlargement of the heart muscle; therefore, it is seen due to the inability of the body to contract enough to meet its needs. It can occur in both adults and infants.
Symptoms of cardiomyopathy in adults:
- Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
- Inactivity
- Shortness of breath and cough
- Arrhythmia
- Dizziness and loss of appetite
These signs and the severity of symptoms can vary from person to person. If dilated cardiomyopathy is suspected due to the symptoms mentioned above, a cardiologist should be consulted.
Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy in infants:
- Difficulty breathing during feeding
- Feeding for longer than normal and sweating during feeding
- Rapid weight gain due to inactivity and edema
- Bruising, especially on the fingers and toes
Parents who observe such symptoms in their babies are advised to consult a physician who is an expert in the field.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
The heart muscle that composed of the heart wall is abnormally thickened during hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This ailment occurs in both infants and adults. It is possible to progress secretly without any symptoms until adulthood. Therefore, in some cases, they are diagnosed incidentally during routine heart checks and check-ups.
Symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in adults:
- Difficulty in exercising, inactivity
- Chest pain that occurs during exercise
- Dizziness and palpitations
- Fainting during exercise
These symptoms and their severity can vary from person to person.
Symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in infants:
- Difficulty breathing during feeding
- Feeding for longer than normal and sweating during feeding
- Inactivity and rapid weight gain
The severity of these symptoms can vary from person to person. They can also be very difficult to distinguish.
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
The ventricles of the heart cannot relax properly after pumping blood in restrictive cardiomyopathy. It can cause symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, fainting, and fatigue. It is more common in adults than children.
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia
It is a cardiomyopathy characterized by enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart. They can cause arrhythmias. It is possible to diagnose them with advanced imaging techniques such as MRI.
Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy
It is generally a disease characterized by the development of the left ventricle of the heart. However, in some cases, problems can be seen in both ventricles. This heart muscle disease, which is seen due to genetic reasons, can cause rhythm disorders in people.
How to Do Cardiomyopathy Treatment
Cardiomyopathy treatment is not done with a single method. As we mentioned before, there are many cardiomyopathy. Their effects on people and the reasons for their emergence are different from each other. In general, treatments are planned according to the effects of cardiomyopathy on the body and the reason why they occur.
Rhythm-regulating drugs can be used in the treatment of cardiomyopathy. In addition, permanent pacemakers (ICD) with electroshock feature can also be preferred.
