Category: Cardiomyopathy

The abstract does not describe the study and the results accurately. The study involved carrying out a research to determine whether exercise would alleviate some of the cardiac complications that accompany diabetes type-2. It focused on defects occurring in cardiomyocytes from mice with type-2 diabetes. The authors did not give enough details of the study in the abstract. For instance, they did not mention how the study took place and under what conditions. Additionally, they failed to describe the methods used clearly. However, they gave clearer results and informative discussion in the abstract. They did not provide enough information in the abstract especially on methods used.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise would restore cardiomyocyte calcium ions cycling and excitation-contraction (EC) coupling defects in cardiomyocytes from mice with type-2 diabetes (db/db). The authors adequately indicated their reasons for carrying out the study. The reasons were to establish the role of exercise in reducing EC coupling defects and increasing cardiac performance by activation of Ca2+ – calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKIIδ).

The background information provided was enough to understand the objectives of the study. For instance, they noted that diabetic mellitus cases would reach pandemic levels in the next 2 decades and cardiovascular mortality was approximately 2 to 4 fold higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients. Moreover, Stølen and colleagues (2009) have indicated that diabetics are 2.5 times more likely to develop congestive heart failure compared to non-diabetics. These fears of increasing diabetes mellitus cases prompted the authors to carry out this study. The db/db diabetic mouse model develops cardiomyopathy in the same manner as humans and this justifies their choice of mice.

The methods used to collect data included, observations, experiments and use of judgmental samples. They describe the methods with sufficient details applicable for others to repeat or extend the study. The tools used to analyze the data, as one-way ANOVA is standard in research work. In carrying out western blot and real time PCR (RT-PCR), they used standardized protocols renormalized to house keeping genes and proteins. These protocols are universal and applicable in repeating or extending the study because they are standardized.

The authors indicated why they used some procedures in this study. For instance, they noted that to determine maximal oxygen uptake, they let mice run until exhaustion in a customized treadmill. This is because together with others, they had previously demonstrated the efficiency and relevancy of this exercise through clinical trials and experimental studies.

Nevertheless, they did not indicate potential problems with the procedures they used. They should have done so to avoid misconceptions that the results obtained were final and perfect. Things keep on changing and any results obtained in scientific research are subject to further investigations. Quoting the limitations of the procedures used would open a chance for other researchers to investigate and correct their work in future if need be.

They specified the statistical methods and procedures used. For statistical analysis, they used one-way ANOVA with Conferring posthoc test corrected for multiple comparisons. Other procedure used was western blot and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) using interchangeable protocols and tempered house keeping genes and proteins to quantify the cardiomyocytes.

The experiments done were appropriate to achieve the objectives of the study. One of the objectives was to determine whether exercise improved aerobic capacity in diabetic mice. The results indicated that exercise improved aerobic capacity to 13% higher in exercised db/db mice compared to sedentary db/db mice.

Tables and figure clearly presented the collected data. The authors employed the use of tables, charts, bar graphs and line graphs well. They inserted pictures that fit well in presenting the data. Legends accompany every illustration and this helps a greatly in explaining the illustrations.

These were the results of the study: it established that exercise improved aerobic capacity by 13% in db/db mice. Exercise also improved left ventricular function by improving fractional shortening and stroke volume in these mice. Exercised db/db mice had lower plasma levels of free fatty acids, triglycerides and insulin compared to sedentary db/db mice. Sedentary diabetic mice had impaired fractional shortening but this improved remarkably after training.

There was a lower twitch Ca2+ release in sedentary but not in exercised diabetic mice. Exercise training increased SR Ca2+ load in sedentary db/db mice demonstrated by reduced caffeine-induced Ca2+ release. Sedentary diabetic mice had increased sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ions (SR Ca2+) leak compare to its world type counterpart. In wild type sedentary mice, Ca2+ release along the cardiomyocyte release had reduced synchrony.

Protein expression was higher in sedentary wild type mice than in sedentary db/db mice but exercise normalized these levels of expression. Inhibition of protein kinase A, had more pronounced effects that inhibition of CaMKII.

The team achieved the aims of this study. This is because they established that exercise restored cardiomyocyte calcium ions cycling and excitation-contraction coupling defects in diabetic mice. Inferring that, exercise will achieve the same effects in diabetic patients.

The authors discussed their results in relation to previous researches. A good example is pointing out that increased diastolic SR Ca 2+ leak and subsequent increase in Ca2+ waves’ frequency was concurred to findings from previous studies. They also interpreted the data adequately. They used graphs and charts in interpreting the data. Legends accompanied each illustration to give more insights about the data represented in the illustration. They drew inferences from the data and this formed the basics of their discussion.

Nevertheless, they did not discuss the limitations of this study. The limitations included failure to use methods that are more elaborate in data collection. The number of subjects involved in this study is also a limiting factor. They used only 20 characters in each case, that is, 20 exercised and 20 sedentary mice. This is a limiting number and a larger population would reduce assumptions reached because of studying smaller populations.

The ‘take home’ message in this paper is that exercise help in reducing cardiomyopathy complications common in diabetic patients. To make the paper more interesting, the authors would consider using human beings in place of mice. This will improve the relevance of this study in relation to human beings.

The ultimate purpose of any research should be to solve human problems thus incorporating diabetic patients in the study would make it more interesting. In the next set of experiments, the authors would consider looking for volunteers and liaising with hospitals to incorporate patients in the study. They would also consider giving sufficient information in the abstract and remain focused on the objectives mentioned in their study.

Citation of reference papers for comments made was average. Citing more papers would be fine to recognize the writers of those papers.

Works cited

Stølen, Tomas, Høydal, Morten, Kemi, Ole Johan, Catalucci, Daniele, Ceci, Marcello Ellen, Larsen, Aasum, Rolim, Natale, Condorelli, Gianluigi, Smith, Godfrey, and Wisløff, Ulrik. “Interval Training Normalizes Cardiomyocyte Function, Diastolic Ca2+ Control, and SR Ca2+ Release Synchronicity in a Mouse Model of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy”. Circulation Research 105(2009): 527-536.

It can be argued that the heart is the most important organ in the human body. Without the heart the body will cease to function. Even if there is a perfectly functioning brain and even if other physiological systems are working at optimum levels, everything will fail if the heart ceases to function properly.

The heart is the main organ responsible for the transport of blood, which in turn is carrying nutrients and other essential things that are needed in order for the body to function perfectly. In order to fully appreciate the functions of the heart this study will focus on hemodynamics and a medical condition associated with the heart, cardiomyopathy to help explain what can happen if the heart is no longer working perfectly.

Hemodynamics

A basic understanding of medical terms will immediately reveal that hemodynamics has something to do with blood and movement or the movement of blood inside the human body. According to experts it is essentially the study of blood flow to the body tissues (Smith, par. 1). It is impossible to understand hemodynamics without being acquainted with the circulatory system. But the focus of this study is not really about the circulatory system but blood flow, the main processes involved, specifically how the heart works in tandem with veins and arteries to make the blood circulate efficiently throughout all the cells in the body.

Before going any further it is important to point out that if the body will no longer be able to experience adequate blood flow then the person dies because it can no longer be sustained with food and oxygen. Blood flow makes it possible to deliver nutrients and oxygen to every cell of the body. But the transport of nutrients and oxygen is just one of the many vital functions of the circulatory system. This is because the circulatory system is also in charge of delivering other substances into the human body as well as in the regulation of body heat. Thus, even if one simply considers the hemodynamics component of the circulatory system it is easy to understand why failure is not an option and that if blood flow is restricted then death can occur.

There are so many physical factors that can affect blood flow and these include:

1. the pressure generated by the heart;
2. the diameter, length and geometric features of the vessels; and
3. the rheological properties of the blood.

But first the following components must be present (Bullock, Boyle, & Wang, p. 123) before a single drop of blood can even begin to move:

1. Heart – the driving force of blood flow;
2. Arteries – the distribution channels to the organs;
3. Microcirculation – such as the capillaries which serves as the exchange region;
4. Veins – the blood reservoirs that collect the blood to return it to the heart.

It must also be pointed out that aside from the main function of delivering nutrients and oxygen, the secondary functions of hemodynamics includes

1. control of blood flow to the skin and extremities to enhance or retard heat loss;
2. distribute hormones; and
3. deliver antibodies, platelets, and leukocytes to aid body defense mechanisms (Bullock, Boyle, & Wang, p. 123).

It is therefore important to note that hemodynamics is not only about processing food and air intake but it is also about defending the body from harmful microorganisms and creating a defense mechanism whenever the body is exposed to the external environment such as in the case of a wound and other forms of breaks in the skin.

It is therefore important to keep the heart healthy and to keep the arteries and vessels free from any blockage that can hinder the flow of blood. In an accident shock can occur if the person continues to lose blood. Cardiac failure on the other hand can occur if the heart fails to function properly and creates an obstacle that will prevent the flow of blood. On the other hand blood flow may not be affected but there can be too much blood pressure resulting in hypertension or something is terribly wrong that the pressure drops below the optimum blood pressure, and one is suffering from hypotension.

Cardiomyopathy

When the heart fails, life goes with it. It is therefore imperative to understand heart problems before it can develop into something more serious. One of the most important heart diseases that require public attention is cardiomyopathy. This is a disease of the heart muscle wherein it become enlarged or abnormally thick or rigid (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, par. 1).

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, cardiomyopathy is simply the generic name but in studying a more technical classification of the various forms of cardiomyopathy and in describing the types of heart ailments associated with the said disease the following are the other names for cardiomyopathy:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Familial dilated cardiomyopathy
• Congestive cardiomyopathy
• Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
• Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
• Assymetric septal hypertrophy
• Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis
• Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
• Right ventricular dysplasia
• Right ventricular cardiomyopathy
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy
• Arrhytmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy

Experts agree that there is really no definite cause or symptom for cardiomyopathy and thus health workers point to a long list of probable causes which includes:

1. alcohol,
2. viral infection;
3. untreated hypertension;
4. autoimmune disease;
5. thyrotoxicosis;
6. drugs/toxins e.g. cocaine, adriamyacin;
7. hemochromatosis;
8. familial syndrome;
9. peripartum status;
10. lyme disease;
11. Chagas disease and even
12. AIDS (Baliga et al., p. 165).

Alcohol, drug abuse, and certain types of illnesses can easily damage heart muscles as well as high blood pressure that creates a very heavy workload for the heart. The resulting inflammation and damage can easily weaken the heart and lead to failure.

Aside from the more obvious symptoms of fatigue and other indications of heart failure, specialists provide a more comprehensive list of the effects of progressive biventricular heart failure and these are listed as:

• Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
• Peropheral edema
• Ascites
• Mural thrombi with systemic or pulmonary embolization
• Dilation of the tricuspid and mitral valve rings
• Atrial fibrillation valve regurgitation
• Sudden death (Bigala et al., p. 165).

The following steps can be undertaken if someone is experiencing symptoms associated with cardiomyopathy: chest radiography, electrocardiography, echocardiography, urine tests (to determine use of cocaine) and blood tests. There is no need to elaborate that if symptoms are not properly diagnosed then fatigue can lead to more serious problems. If cardiomyopathy is not treated immediately then the heart muscles will continue to strain until the person will experience sudden death. It is therefore necessary to have the heart checked regularly as well as to continually follow the advice of health experts when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart. If the heart fails then blood flow can be affected. Based on the preceding discussion man could not afford not to have a perfectly working heart because everything is affected.

Works Cited

Bigala, Ragavendra. Cardiology. PA: Mosby, 2003.

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. “Cardiomyopathy.” Web.

Secomb, Timothy & Axel Pries. Basic Principles of Hemodynamics. O. Baskurt Ed. UK: Gazelle Books Services, Ltd., 2007.

Smith Brendan. “Learn Hemodynamics”. Web.

Abstract

Cardiomyopathy is a dangerous condition that affects all age groups. However, aged patients are at a higher risk due to their weak cardiac muscles. The physiological changes in cardiomyopathy patients are influenced by the age group and gender. Older patients with weak cardiac muscles have advanced symptoms as compared to other cardiomyopathy patients. Diagnostic findings in cardiomyopathy are also affected by gender, culture, and age. This paper will evaluate the age and gender-related physiological changes in cardiomyopathy as witnessed in patients aged 65 years and above.

Introduction

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart muscles. It is common in people of all age groups and causes arrhythmia. This affects the normal rhythmic beating of the heart and the supply of oxygen to different body tissues. A decline in the heart’s pumping power as a result of cardiomyopathy increases the chances of developing arrhythmia or heart failure. Patients that suffer from heart failure experience fluid accumulation in extracellular tissues within the leg, feet, and lungs (Story, 2012).

Normal physiological changes in 65 and above age group with cardiomyopathy

Older adults are more prone to developing restrictive cardiomyopathy as compared to other age categories. Patients aged 65 years and above experience abnormal physiological changes when suffering from cardiomyopathy. Rigidity and stiffening of the ventricles are common physiological changes witnessed in patients aged 65 years and above. In this situation, abnormal tissues such as scars are formed instead of the normal heart tissues (Fairweather & Blauwet, 2013).

Lack of flexibility of the ventricles due to stiffening affects the ventricle’s role of pumping blood out of the heart to other parts of the body or lungs. Stiffened and scared ventricles cannot contract well and this limits the blood volume. The accumulation of blood causes the atria to enlarge and the valves to become further weaker. This increases their chances of developing arrhythmias (Story, 2012).

Age-related diagnostic findings in cardiomyopathy

In Kubo (2008), an examination of cardiomyopathy patients aged 65 to 83 years was conducted. Several lab tests, physical assessments, and radiology tests were undertaken on the patients. Left ventricular (LV) size assessment of the patients using echocardiography showed that patients aged 67 years and above have an enlarged LV. The LV ejection fraction was also measured using ventriculography. The level of β-blockers and type II angiotensin was also determined in Kubo (2008). Aged patients have high use of blockers and boosters like angiotensin II to improve heart performance.

Gender considerations in aged cardiomyopathy

According to studies conducted by Olivotto and Maron (2005), aged women suffering from cardiomyopathy are more symptomatic as compared to men. Advanced heart failure is, therefore, more common in aged women based on results from this study. Routine cardiomyopathy checkup in aged women is rare as highlighted in this study. Based on this study, 23% of women as compared to 41% of men confirmed undergoing routine medical checkups.

In Kubo (2009), a study was conducted on 261 Japanese cardiomyopathy patients. In this study, 80% of the participants were women. Kubo (2009) reports that the majority of patients diagnosed with cardiomyopathy aged 65 years and above are women. Women are also more symptomatic of cardiomyopathy at an advanced age as compared to men based on the results from the study. The left ventricular and right atrial of female patients aged 65 years and above was small in diameter. The fractional shortening in female patients aged 65 years and above was higher compared to males in the same age group (Kubo, 2009).

Cultural practices among the aged cardiomyopathy patients

Cultural considerations and practices influence the outcome of intervention measures and the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in the elderly. Patients of cardiomyopathy have several experiences that form part of the information needed for a complete diagnosis of the condition. However, cultural considerations affect the management of the condition due to a lack of adequate access to information (Kubo, 2009).

For example, aged cardiomyopathy patients are at a higher risk of suffering from erectile dysfunction and low sex drive. Access to such information by health workers informs the intervention measures adopted. However, cultural issues influence the willingness of aged patients to discuss their sex life with younger health workers. Failure to provide sex history due to cultural reasons affects accurate diagnosis and management of the condition (Fairweather & Blauwet, 2013).

Culturally competent care

The provision of competent care is influenced by the nature of the information provided. Health workers must access accurate and complete information to provide competent care. However, healthcare workers face age-related communication barriers in the management of cardiomyopathy. This affects the ability of the healthcare workers to provide culturally competent care to aged cardiomyopathy patients. Age differences also affect the provision of competent care to cardiomyopathy patients. In most situations, youthful professionals are tasked with the provision of healthcare services to aged cardiomyopathy patients. This affects effective interaction between the patient and healthcare patients.

Conclusion

Cardiomyopathy is a common condition that affects all age groups, races, and genders. However, the condition has specific physiological characteristics in aged patients due to the weakening of the cardiac muscles. An examination of the distinct physiological characteristics of such a patient is essential in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of the condition.

References

Fairweather, D., & Blauwet, L. (2013). Sex and gender differences in myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Current Problems in Cardiology, 38(1), 7-46. Web.

Kubo, T. (2008). Improvement of prognosis of dilated cardiomyopathy in the elderly over the past 20 years. journal of cardiology, 52(2),111-117.

Kubo, T. (2009). Gender-specific differences in clinical features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a community-based Japanese population: Results from Kochi RYOMA study. Journal of cardiology, 56(3), 314-319.

Olivotto, I., & Maron, M. (2005). Gender-related differences in the clinical presentation and outcome of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Journal of the American college of cardiology, 46(3), 480-487.

Story, L. (2012). Pathophysiology: A practical approach. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett learning.

As people grow old by age, so do their bodily organs which the heart is part of. Cardiomyopathy is one condition that results from the degeneration of the heart tissue. Cardiomyopathy is divided into primary and secondary cardiomyopathy. Primary cardiomyopathies are limited to the heart muscle, and can be genetic, acquired, or both, while secondary cardiomyopathies are linked to other underlying medical conditions. While some literature denotes that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the prevalent one among the elderly, others suggest that dilated is the most prevalent one among the elderly, yet others indicate restrictive cardiomyopathy. This paper discusses all those cardiomyopathies linked to old age.

Cardiomyopathy refers to the diseases of the heart muscle. The latest definition in 2006, denotes that cardiomyopathy is “a heterogeneous group of diseases of the myocardium associated with mechanical and/or electrical dysfunction that usually, but not invariably exhibit inappropriate ventricular hypertrophy or dilation” (Aminoff, 2008, p. 82). This muscle either becomes thick, enlarged, or rigid and in rare instances, there is a replacement of the tissue with scar tissue.

The aggravation of cardiomyopathy leads to a weaker heart; thus, the heart experiences a lot of strain while pumping blood throughout the body. In addition, the heart is unable to keep up a normal electrical rhythm. The result is heart failure, and other times arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) occur. Also, heart valve problems can result. Considering the variation in literature, this paper will aim at discussing cardiomyopathies associated with the elderly.

There are different types of cardiomyopathy diseases, but the one that prevails among the elderly is restrictive cardiomyopathy, according to the National Institutes of Health (2011). Unfortunately, other authors indicate varying thoughts. Restrictive cardiomyopathy results when the heart muscle becomes rigid. This variation, which could be due to reporting issues, therefore, necessitates a need for research to verify these claims. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is attributed to a certain underlying condition. Hemochromatosis is one such precedent disease that is characterized by excessive iron buildup in the body.

Iron is important for the normal functioning of the body, but excess iron causes damage to the organs including the heart due to toxicity effect. Sarcoidosis is another causative condition, which, according to researchers is attributed to an abnormal immune response that causes the formation of tiny lumps in body organs, even the heart. Amyloidosis, which is an abnormal accumulation of proteins in organs such as the including the heart, is another attributive factor. Connective tissue disorders and cancer therapies are other predisposing factors (National Institutes of Health, 2011).

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is attributed to the changing cardiovascular structure associated with age, and is more prevalent among elderly women than elderly men, although other literature will indicate that it affects all genders equally.

This disease is a major cause of cardiac death among young athletes, but it is highly prevalent in Japan. These changes, which lead to reduced cardiovascular reserve include “impaired left ventricular diastolic relaxation and compliance, arterial stiffness, dysfunction of the sinus node, and diminished responsiveness to β -adrenergic stimulation” (Arenson, 2009, p. 109). Increased vascular stiffness is associated with elevated systolic blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

A healthy lifestyle concerning diet and exercise is imperative to slow the onset of hypertension, which is one of the risk factors for hypertrophic myocardiopathy. Distinguishing between obstructive and non-obstructive hypertrophic because the management of each is different. Symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are similar to those of pulmonary congestion and include dyspnea, proximal nocturnal dyspnea, fatigue, and orthopnoea.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common form of cardiomyopathy and is defined by the enlargement of either one of both ventricular chamber(s). DCM results in ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, biventricular heart failure, secondary thromboembolism attributed to cardiac mural thrombi, and sudden cardiac death (Aronow, Fleg & Rich, 2014). Myocarditis, though rare, has been indicated as an attributive factor for some viral dilated cardiomyopathies; thus, at the time of diagnosis, viral serology and culture are necessary.

More common attributive factors are alcohol, diabetes, hypertension. Genes also result in DCM, though rarely. Dilated cardiomyopathy is most prevalent in Africa, mainly due to the high prevalence of HIV (Aminoff, 2008, p. 83). Consumption of alcohol is regulated because excessive intake leads to exacerbation of cardiac decompensation.

Echocardiography (ECG) is used in the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy. However, other techniques, for example, cardiac catheterization, are used alongside ECG when differentiation is paramount. Also, novel technologies, such as Doppler-derived strain and 2D strain imaging, are being used to detect localized myocardial movement and tissue deformation.

In conclusion, cardiomyopathy is a debilitating disease that can affect anyone at any age, though it mainly manifests in late adulthood. Geographical variation of the disease is based on predisposing factors. These etiological factors can be managed to prevent, or slow the progression, of cardiomyopathy through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.

References

Aminoff, M. (Ed.). (2008). Neurology and General Medicine (4^th ed.). Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone.

Arenson, C., Busby-Whitehead, J., Brummel-Smith, K., O’Brien, j., Palmer, M., & reichel, W. (Eds.). (2009). Reichel’s Care of the Elderly: clinical aspects of aging (6^th ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Aronow, W., Fleg, J., & Rich, M. (Eds.). (2014). Tresch and Aronow’s Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly (5^th ed.). Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis.

National Institutes of Health. (2011). What is Cardiomyopathy? Web.

Cardiomyopathy-Conceptual Map

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death worldwide. Despite scientific progress and outstanding achievements in the field of medicine, cardiomyopathy is still very common in medical practice. The danger is that the disease can develop without symptoms and without arousing suspicion. The best prevention is timely diagnosis and support from a cardiologist. It is necessary to analyze the properties and causes of the disease and also to identify how much attention is paid to the science of combating cardiomyopathy.

Disease Overview

Cardiomyopathy is a disease associated with a gradual increase in the volume of the left ventricle and, as a consequence, resulting in the formation of heart failure. Heart disease can be acute or chronic; it is quite common, and a similar pathology is found in 5-8% of citizens (Moretti and Erdmann 134). The situation is complicated by the fact that cardiomyopathies and myocarditis, in most cases, are detected by chance and at rather advanced stages. Common symptoms of cardiomyopathy:

• Swelling of the lower limbs, legs, and ankles;
• Enlarged abdomen due to the accumulation of excess fluid;
• Increasing shortness of breath;
• Feeling of pressure in the chest area;
• General weakness and loss of strength;
• Pulling pain and heaviness under the right rib (Moretti and Erdmann 137).

Gradually, with the development of the disease, the blood stagnates in the liver, and it increases in size. Rapid heartbeat, attacks of “sinking” of the heart, and low blood pressure are observed (Moretti and Erdmann 140). Over time, dizziness occurs regularly, up to the loss of consciousness, as blood circulation in the brain worsens.

Types of Disease

Modern cardiology divides myocardial pathologies, united under the concept of cardiomyopathies, into different types. The first type is a violation of the heart chambers, and their expansion is referred to as dilated cardiomyopathy; it is the most common and very difficult. Gradually, the heart begins to fail to cope with its function. An abnormal enlargement of the heart is called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Moretti and Erdmann 98). It often becomes the cause of death of young people. The disease associated with the restriction of blood flow into the aorta from the left ventricle belongs to the obstructive type of cardiomyopathy. The key guarantee of a cure for the patient is a timely diagnosis. It allows for to detect of pathology in time and to receive effective treatment. During a routine examination, it is impossible to determine the presence of changes in the heart muscle (Moretti and Erdmann 91). The enlargement of the heart is easily detected by echocardiography and electrocardiography. The attending cardiologist may additionally prescribe magnetic resonance imaging or radiopaque ventriculography.

Treatment of the Disease

In the first stage, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out; the patient undergoes echocardiography and Holter ECG monitoring. After determining the type of disease and the underlying causes, the cardiologist selects the appropriate therapy and prescribes a course of treatment (Moretti and Erdmann 99). The tactics will depend on many factors, including the anatomical features of the heart muscle. How is cardiomyopathy treated:

• Limitation and development of a personal plan of physical activity;
• Adherence to the regimen and lifestyle prescribed by the doctor;
• Drug therapy and taking drugs prescribed by a cardiologist;
• If necessary – surgical methods of intervention.

Traditionally, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, beta-blockers, digoxin, anticoagulants, and antiarrhythmic drugs are used to treat cardiomyopathy. However, one of the most important steps in treatment is disease prevention. With early diagnosis of the disease, it can be prevented from becoming chronic (Moretti and Erdmann 101). Most patients who receive professional care early on live full and prosperous lives. At the first symptom, a patient needs to consult a cardiologist and make a diagnosis.

Scientific Approach

The etiology of this pathology has not been fully understood to date. There are a number of probable causes that can cause the development of cardiomyopathy:

• Hereditary predisposition (a genetic defect that causes the improper formation and functioning of myocardial muscle fibers);
• Various viral infections (Coxsackie, herpes, flu);
• Previously transferred myocarditis;
• Damage to heart cells toxins and allergens;
• Endocrine regulation disorders (negative effect of growth hormone and catecholamines);
• Disorders of the immune system (Islam 26).

Diagnosis of cardiomyopathy necessarily includes a description of the clinical picture and data from additional studies. The most common method – electrocardiography – allows the patient to record signs of hypertrophy of the heart muscle to identify various forms of rhythm and conduction disturbances. Echocardiography is especially informative, which helps to determine myocardial dysfunction. Due to the X-ray data, dilatation (a persistent increase in the lumen), hypertrophy (an increase in volume and mass) of the heart muscle, as well as congestion in the lungs are detected (Islam 31). In some cases, as part of the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, ventriculography, as well as probing of the cardiac cavities in order to collect biomaterials for further morphological examination, are indicated.

Medical science has also developed a special treatment for the disease associated with surgery, indicated in extremely severe cases. Among the methods practiced today, one can distinguish septal myotomy, for example, resection of an enlarged part of the interventricular septum and mitral valve replacement, as well as whole heart transplantation. For patients with a high risk of sudden cardiac death, timely implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator, a device for arresting threatening arrhythmias, is of great importance (Daniel and Yang 50). In addition, experts emphasize the need to reduce physical activity and adhere to a diet, an important condition for which is to limit the consumption of animal fats and salt. It is strongly recommended to exclude bad habits and the impact of negative external factors. Compliance with these recommendations will significantly reduce the load on the myocardium and slow the progression of heart failure.

Consequences of the Disease

With regard to cardiomyopathy, the prognosis is unfavorable: the steady progression of heart failure becomes the cause of a high probability of arrhythmic and thromboembolic complications, as well as the sudden death of the patient. According to statistics, with dilated cardiomyopathy, the 5-year survival rate is 30% (Daniel and Yang 72). Planned treatment can stabilize the patient’s condition indefinitely, and there are also known cases of exceeding the 10-year survival rate after heart transplant surgery (Daniel and Yang 73). Surgical treatment, for example, for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, gives a positive result but is associated with a high risk of death of the patient during or after surgery. Women who have been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy are not recommended to become pregnant since gestation and childbirth are associated with a high probability of maternal death.

Conclusion

The considered disease, although common among the population, is rather difficult its treatment and research. One of the reasons is that science has not finally established the root causes of the appearance of cardiomyopathy, from which there is no most effective prevention. Meanwhile, experts can draw certain conclusions from the existing knowledge; therefore, at the moment, there are several types of treatment, the symptoms are known, and recommendations for combating the disease are presented.

Works Cited

Daniel, Iroegbu C. and Yang, Jinfu. Compendium on Cardiomyopathies – Basics, Therapeutics, and Perspectives. Bentham Science Publishers, 2020.

Islam, Shahidul. (Ed.). Heart Failure: From Research to Clinical Practice. Springer International Publishing, 2018.

Moretti, Alessandra, and Erdmann, Jeanette. (Ed.). Genetic Causes of Cardiac Disease. Springer International Publishing, 2019.