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Cardiomyopathy

Medical Questions » Cardiomyopathy
Name: Cardiomyopathy
Also known as: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy means enlarged heart muscle disease (' hypertrophic' means over developed, ' cardio' refers to the heart, ' myo' to muscle, and ' pathy' to disease). Diseases and weakness of the heart muscle are very common in older people due to the aging process.
Causes of Cardiomyopathy
Almost any disease from an infection to a heart attack can cause cardiomyopathy, and so the term may be used when the exact nature of the heart disease present is unknown. Drugs, tumors and high blood pressure may also be responsible.
Symptoms of Cardiomyopathy
May be a trivial illness that is barely noticed by the patient, or may cause tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath and chest pains (angina).
Tests for Cardiomyopathy
Diagnosed by chest X-ray demonstrating an enlarged heart, ECG and echocardiogram.
Treatment for Cardiomyopathy
Medications such as digoxin, captopril, disopyramide, sotalol and a number of others, may be prescribed to strengthen the heart muscle and make it contract more efficiently.
Complications of Cardiomyopathy of its treatment
Can be a progressive disease that leads inevitably to death or the need for a heart transplant.
Likely Outcome of Cardiomyopathy
Depends on the cause, but in most cases can be controlled reasonably.
       
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