What is the diagnosis for cardiomyopathy?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for cardiomyopathy itself. The treatment is to treat the underlying cause. Cardiomyopathy is not a disease entity unto itself, it is a manifestation of an underlying disease.

There are many potential causes of cardiomyopathy. Heart attacks cause a significant proportion in the US population, especially those over the age of 50. Viral causes are also common. Other causes include drugs, some infections, some autoimmune disease, some vitamin deficiencies, and pregnancy. Sometimes we never find out why cardiomyopathy occurs.

Treatment, as I alluded to above, is to treat the underlying disease, if possible. An echocardiogram should be performed after the condition is stabilized to make sure the heart function is adequate to support activity and insertion of a pacemaker/defibrillator may be necessary if the heart is too weak. If the ejection fraction is below 20-25 percent, there is a higher risk of arrhythmia and death, which is why a defibrillator may be necessary.

In extreme cases, a heart transplant may be necessary.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is usually treated with combination of Beta Bloockers (Coreg, Cardevilol) and blood pressure lowering medication (Enalapril). Also in order to stabilize heart rhythm Digoxin could be prescribed. In some severe cases, when patient's body is reatining water, water pill must be admistired (Furosemide, Lasics). In this case patient also needs to take Potassium pill to compensate possible potassium deficinecy. Blood work need to be performed regurally checking Potassium level in blood.

American cardiologists look scepticly at nutritional supplement CQ 10, however their Europian collegs highly valued CQ 10 as essential medicine for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.

http://www.medgrip.com/cardiomyopathy/cardiomyopathy_medicine.html

Answer 2

A complete physical examination and health history review by a health care provider is recommended if a person is suspected to have cardiomyopathy

Answer 3

There is no effective treatment for restrictive cardiomyopathy. Treatment of a causative disease may reduce or stop the damage to the heart, but existing damage cannot be reversed.