Enlargement of the Heart (Cardiomyopathy)
What is enlargement of the heart, or cardiomyopathy?
Enlargement of the heart, or cardiomyopathy, is a general term meaning “heart muscle disease,” or damage to the heart from causes other than artery or blood flow problems. This, in turn, can lead to heart failure, which is a group of symptoms caused by anything that limits the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
When your heart is damaged or weakened, the heart muscle pumps with less force, less effectively, so it is unable to move enough blood through the heart to the rest of the body. The heart’s effort to pump normally stretches and enlarges its chambers.
Cardiomyopathy is more common in men than women. It affects people of all ages, but especially those over age 65.
Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for people over age 65.
What causes cardiomyopathy?
The most common cause is coronary artery disease or a heart attack. Other causes include:
- Prolonged or untreated high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Abnormal blood flow through the heart due to a defective heart valve, or congenital defect
- Damage to heart muscle from certain drugs (cocaine, cancer-treating drugs)
- Virus
When the cause is unknown, it is called idiopathic cardiomyopathy.
What are the symptoms of cardiomyopathy?
It is possible to have one or more of these symptoms:
- Swollen ankles or feet
- Increased need for urination during the night
- Weakness, tiredness, dizziness
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing after exertion
- Trouble breathing when lying down or waking up at night coughing or short of breath
How is cardiomyopathy diagnosed?
Your physician may order any of the following tests to diagnose cardiomyopathy and thereby choose the best treatment:
- Blood and urine tests
- Chest x-ray
- Electrocardiogram
- Echocardiogram
- Cardiac catheterization
- Biopsy of heart
- Electrophysiology (EP) study
- Exercise tests
What treatment is available?
Cardiomyopathy may make it more difficult for you to do things that have been easy in the past but – with proper treatment and lifestyle changes – you and your physician can help improve your heart’s performance.
The first step is determining the cause and extent of heart muscle damage. Treatment may slow or halt further heart muscle damage, improve heart function, and reduce or eliminate symptoms, depending on what caused the heart failure.
Treatment options include medications, surgery or other procedures that may improve blood flow to the heart. Healthy lifestyle choices - in diet, exercise, rest, controlling high blood pressure, avoiding smoking and excessive use of alcohol - also make a difference.
Mercy’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and Mercy dietitians can also help you establish appropriate exercise and diet habits. Call Mercy’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program at 319-398-6651 for more information. All classes are offered at Mercy Health Plaza, 5264 Council Street NE.
