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How many times is a LVAD expected to beat in a 65 year old female patient?
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What is a Left Ventricular Assist Device called?
LVAD
What is in Dick Cheney's vest during interview of his book - medical device?
He's wearing two large batteries that power his implanted left ventricle assist device (LVAD) and a sophisticated "controller" (a programmed computer) that governs and monitors its operation. The LVAD is not a pump, but more like a turbine than spins around 9000 rpm and moves the blood that would otherwise flow into the left ventricle directly into the aorta. Power and programming flow through a drive line to the LVAD that exits through the abdomen.
What is lvad?
An LVAD (Left Ventricular Assistance Device) is a mechanical pump implanted on a weakened ventricle that helps the heart function normally by assisting the heart to pump blood throughout the body. It is considered an artificial heart, but people with these devices still have their hearts. It is often used by patients waiting for a transplant (bridge to transplant), but it can also be used on people, not eligible for a transplant, to extend their lives and allow them to function normally.
What is an lvad?
An LVAD (Left Ventricular Assistance Device) is a mechanical pump implanted on a weakened ventricle that helps the heart function normally by assisting the heart to pump blood throughout the body. It is considered an artificial heart, but people with these devices still have their hearts. It is often used by patients waiting for a transplant (bridge to transplant), but it can also be used on people, not eligible for a transplant, to extend their lives and allow them to function normally.
Grey's Anatomy season 2 songs when denny is being taken to the OR after Izzy cuts the LVAD?
"Somewhere a clock is ticking" by Snow Patrol ... absolutely amazing song :-)
Why are ventricular assist devices used?
A VAD is a temporary life-sustaining device. VADs can replace the left ventricle (LVAD), the right ventricle (RVAD), or both ventricles
Is there a home care in the chicago area that is familiar with the lvad heart pump?
I would call the Home Health Care Provider to find out this information. If not, than call the City's Help Line, just dial "311" and I hope somebody could help you there.
what are heart surgery treatments and procedure?
Heart surgery refers to various surgical procedures performed on the heart or blood vessels connected to the heart. These procedures are typically performed to treat heart conditions and improve heart function. Here are some common heart surgery treatments and procedures: Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): This procedure is used to treat blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. During CABG, blood vessels, often taken from the patient's leg or chest, are used to create bypasses around the blocked arteries, improving blood flow to the heart. Heart Valve Repair or Replacement: Heart valves that are diseased or damaged may require repair or replacement. This can involve procedures like valve repair (reshaping the valve) or valve replacement (using mechanical or biological prosthetic valves). Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) or Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) Repair: ASD and VSD are congenital heart defects characterized by abnormal openings between the heart chambers. Surgical repair involves closing these openings with sutures or a patch. Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization (TMR): TMR is a procedure used to relieve severe angina (chest pain) in patients who are not candidates for other procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery. It involves using laser energy to create channels in the heart muscle, which stimulate the growth of new blood vessels. Heart Transplant: In cases of end-stage heart failure, a heart transplant may be considered. This involves replacing a diseased or failing heart with a healthy heart from a deceased donor. Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Implantation: An LVAD is a mechanical pump implanted in the chest to assist the weakened left ventricle in pumping blood. It is used as a bridge to heart transplant or as destination therapy for patients who are not transplant candidates. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure used to replace a diseased aortic valve without open-heart surgery. A catheter is used to deliver a new valve into the heart, typically through an artery in the leg. It's important to note that the specific treatment or procedure recommended for a patient depends on their individual condition, overall health, and the recommendations of their healthcare team. The information provided here is a general overview and not exhaustive.
Ventricular assist device?
DefinitionVentricular assist devices (VAD) help your heart pump blood from the main pumping chamber of your heart (the left ventricle) to the rest of your body. These pumps may be implanted in your body or connected to a pump outside your body.Alternative NamesVAD; RVAD; LVAD; BVAD; Right ventricular assist device; Left ventricular assist device; Biventricular assist device; Heart pump; Left ventricular assist system; LVAS; Implantable ventricular assist deviceDescriptionA ventricular assist device has three parts:A pump. The pump weighs 1 to 2 pounds. It is placed in your belly if you will need it permanently, or it may also be used outside of your body when you are waiting for a permanent pump or a heart transplant.An electronic controller. The controller is like a small computer that controls how the pump works.Two batteries. The batteries are carried outside your body. They are connected to the pump with a cable that goes into your bellyYou will need general anesthesia when your VAD is implanted. This will make you unconscious and unable to feel pain during the procedure.During surgery to implant the pump, the heart surgeon opens the middle of your chest with a surgical cut and then separates your breastbone. This allows the surgeon to reach your heart. Next, the surgeon will make space for the pump under your skin and tissue in the upper part of your belly wall. Then, the surgeon will place the pump in this space.A tube will connect the pump to your heart. Another tube will connect the pump to your aorta or one of your other major arteries. Another tube will be passed through your skin to connect the pump to the controller and batteries.The VAD will take blood from your left ventricle through the tube that leads to the pump. Then the device will pump the blood back out to one of your arteries and through your body.Surgery usually lasts 4 to 6 hours.Why the Procedure Is PerformedYou may need a VAD if you have severe heart failure that cannot be controlled with medicine or a special pacemaker. You may be on a waiting list for a heart transplant. Some patients who get a VAD are very ill and may already be on a heart-lung bypass machine.Not every patient with severe heart failure is a good candidate for this procedure.RisksRisks for this surgery are:Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungsBreathing problemsHeart attack or strokeAllergic reactions to the anesthesia medicines used during surgeryInfectionsBefore the ProcedureMost people will already be in the hospital for treatment of their heart failure.After the ProcedureMost people who are put on a VAD spend up to 5 days in the intensive care unit after surgery. You may stay in the hospital anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks after you have had the pump placed. During this time you will learn how to care for the pump.OutlookA VAD may help people who have heart failure live longer. It can also help improve quality of life.ReferencesNaka Y and Rose EA. Assisted circulation in the treatment of heart failure. In: Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo; WB Saunders; 2007:chap. 28.Slaughter MS, Rogers JG, Milano CA, et al. Advanced heart failure treated with continuous-flow left ventricular assist device. N Engl J Med. 2009 Dec 3;361(23):2241-51.
Heart failure - surgeries and devices?
DescriptionAlthough most of treating heart failure is changing your lifestyle and taking your medicines correctly, procedures and surgeries still play a role.Pacemakers and DefibrillatorsA heart pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device that sends a signal to your heart. The signal makes your heart beat at the correct pace. Pacemakers may be used:For people who have heart problems that cause their heart to beat too slowly, too fast, or in an irregular mannerFor people with heart failure, to match up the beating of both sides of the heart. These are called biventricular pacemakers.When your heart is weakened, gets too large, and does not pump blood very well, you are at high risk for life-threatening heartbeats.An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a device that detects any life-threatening heartbeats. It then quickly sends an electrical shock to the heart to change the rhythm back to normal.Most of today's biventricular pacemakers can also work as implantable cardio-defibrillators (ICD).Surgery to Improve Blood Supply to the HeartThe most common cause of heart failure when the heart does not beat strongly enough is coronary artery disease (CAD), a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. CAD may become worse and make it harder to manage your symptoms.After performing certain tests, your doctor may feel that opening a narrowed or blocked blood vessel will improve your heart failure symptoms. Suggested procedures may include:Angioplasty and stent placementHeart bypass surgeryHeart Valve SurgeryBlood that flows between different chambers of your heart or out of your heart into the aorta must pass through a heart valve. These valves open up enough so that blood can flow through. They then close, keeping blood from flowing backward.When these valves do not work well, blood does not flow correctly through the heart to the body. This problem may cause heart failure or make heart failure worse.As a result, the patient may need surgery to repair one of the heart valves.Surgery for End-stage Heart FailureSevere heart failure may need the following treatments when other therapies no longer work. They are often used when a person is waiting for a heart transplant.You may need a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) if you have severe heart failure that cannot be controlled with medicine or a special pacemaker.Ventricular assist devices (VAD) help your heart pump blood from the main pumping chamber of your heart to the rest of your body. These pumps may be implanted in your body or connected to a pump outside your body.You may be on a waiting list for a heart transplant. Some patients who get a VAD are very ill and may already be on a heart-lung bypass machine.Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) help maintain heart function in patients who are waiting for transplants. They can also help those who develop a sudden and severe decline in heart function. The IABP is an implanted thin balloon that is usually inserted temporarily into the artery in the leg and threaded up to the aorta leading from the heart.ReferencesMann DL. Management of heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 28.Otto CM, Bonow RO. Valvular heart disease. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 66.Reviewed ByReview Date: 07/29/2011Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Heart failure?
DefinitionHeart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the rest of the body.Alternative NamesCHF; Congestive heart failure; Left-sided heart failure; Right-sided heart failureCauses, incidence, and risk factorsHeart failure is almost always a chronic, long-term condition, although it can sometimes develop suddenly.The condition may affect the right side, the left side, or both sides of the heart.Right-sided heart failure means the right ventricle of the heart loses its pumping function.Left-sided heart failure means the heart's ability to pump blood forward from the left side of the heart is decreased. The left side of the heart normally receives blood rich in oxygen from the lungs and pumps it to the remainder of the body.Heart failure is often classified as either systolic or diastolic.Systolic heart failure means that your heart muscle cannot pump, or eject, the blood out of the heart very well.Diastolic heart failure means that your heart's pumping chamber does not fill up with blood.Both of these problems mean the heart is no longer able to pump enough blood out to the rest of your body, especially when you exercise or are active.As the heart's pumping action is lost, blood may back up in other areas of the body, producing congestion in the lungs, the liver, the gastrointestinal tract, and the arms and legs. As a result, there is a lack of oxygen and nutrition to organs, which damages them and reduces their ability to work properly.Perhaps the most common cause of heart failure is coronary artery disease, a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. For information on this condition and its risk factors, see: Coronary artery disease.Heart failure can also occur when an illness or toxin weakens the heart muscle or changes the heart muscle structure. Such events are called cardiomyopathies. There are many different types of cardiomyopathy. For information, see: CardiomyopathyOther heart problems that may cause heart failure are:Congenital heart diseaseHeart valve diseaseSome types of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)Diseases such as emphysema, severe anemia, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism, may cause or contribute to heart failureSymptomsCommon symptoms are:Shortness of breath with activity, or after lying down for a whileCoughSwelling of feet and anklesSwelling of the abdomenWeight gainIrregular or rapid pulseSensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)Difficulty sleepingFatigue, weakness, faintnessLoss of appetite, indigestionOther symptoms may include:Decreased alertness or concentrationDecreased urine productionNausea and vomitingNeed to urinate at nightInfants may sweat during feeding (or other activity).Some patients with heart failure have no symptoms. In these people, the symptoms may develop only with these conditions:Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmias)AnemiaHyperthyroidismInfections with high feverKidney diseaseSigns and testsA physical examination may reveal the following:Fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)Irregular heartbeatLeg swelling (edema)Neck veins that stick out (are distended)Swelling of the liverListening to the chest with a stethoscope may reveal lung crackles or abnormal heart sounds.The following tests may reveal heart swelling,decreased heart function, or lung congestion:Chest x-rayECGEchocardiogramCardiac stress testsHeart CT scanHeart catheterizationMRI of the heartNuclear heart scansThis disease may also alter the following test results:Blood chemistryBUNComplete blood countCreatinineCreatinine clearanceLiver function testsUric acid-blood testSodium - blood testUrinalysisSodium - urine testTreatmentIf you have heart failure, your doctor will monitor you closely. You will have follow up appointments at least every 3 to 6 months and tests to check your heart function. For example, an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram) will be done once in awhile to see how well your heart pumps blood with each beat.You will need to carefully monitor yourself and help manage your condition. One important way to do this is to track your weight on a daily basis. Weight gain can be a sign that you are retaining fluid and that your heart failure is worsening. Make sure you weigh yourself at the same time each day and on the same scale, with little to no clothes on.Other important measures include:Take your medications as directed. Carry a list of medications with you wherever you go.Limit salt intake.Don't smoke.Stay active. For example, walk or ride a stationary bicycle. Your doctor can provide a safe and effective exercise plan based on your degree of heart failure and how well you do on tests that check the strength and function of your heart. DO NOT exercise on days that your weight has gone up from fluid retention or you are not feeling well.Lose weight if you are overweight.Get enough rest, including after exercise, eating, or other activities. This allows your heart to rest as well. Keep your feet elevated to decrease swelling.Here are some tips to lower your salt and sodium intake:Look for foods that are labeled "low-sodium," "sodium-free," "no salt added," or "unsalted." Check the total sodium content on food labels. Be especially careful of canned, packaged, and frozen foods. A nutritionist can teach you how to understand these labels.Don't cook with salt or add salt to what you are eating. Try pepper, garlic, lemon, or other spices for flavor instead. Be careful of packaged spice blends as these often contain salt or salt products (like monosodium glutamate, MSG).Avoid foods that are naturally high in sodium, like anchovies, meats (particularly cured meats, bacon, hot dogs, sausage, bologna, ham, and salami), nuts, olives, pickles, sauerkraut, soy and Worcestershire sauces, tomato and other vegetable juices, and cheese.Take care when eating out. Stick to steamed, grilled, baked, boiled, and broiled foods with no added salt, sauce, or cheese.Use oil and vinegar, rather than bottled dressings, on salads.Eat fresh fruit or sorbet when having dessert.Your doctor may consider prescribing the following medications:ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, and ramipril to open up blood vessels and decrease the work load of the heartDiuretics including hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, chlorothiazide, furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide, and spironolactone to help rid your body of fluid and salt (sodium)Digitalis glycosides to increase the ability of the heart muscle to contract properly and help treat some heart rhythm disturbancesAngiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as losartan and candesartan to reduce the workload of the heart; this class of drug is especially important for those who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitorsBeta-blockers such as such as carvedilol and metoprolol, which are particularly useful for those with a history of coronary artery diseaseCertain medications may make heart failure worse and should be avoided. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, thiazolidinediones, metformin, cilostazol, PDE-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, vardenafil), and many drugs that treat abnormal heart rhythms.Valve replacements or repair coronary bypass surgery (CABG), and angioplasty may help some people with heart failure.The following devices may be recommended for certain patients:A single or dual chamber pacemaker to help with slow heart rates or certain other heart signaling problemsA biventricular pacemaker to help the left and right side of your heart contract at the same time.An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to correct or prevent severe arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)Severe heart failure may require the following treatments:Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), a temporary device placed into the aortaLeft ventricular assist device (LVAD), which takes over the role of the heart by pumping blood from the heart into the aorta; it's most often used by those who are waiting for a heart transplant.Note: These devices can be life saving, but they are not permanent solutions. Patients who become dependent on circulatory support will need a heart transplant.Heart failure symptoms may be improved with biventricular pacemaker or cardiac resynchronization therapy. Ask your provider if you are a candidate for this type of treatment.Expectations (prognosis)Heart failure is a serious disorder. It is usually a chronic illness, which may get worse with infection or other physical stress.Many forms of heart failure can be controlled with medication, lifestyle changes, and treatment of any underlying disorder.ComplicationsIrregular heart rhythms (can be deadly)Pulmonary edemaTotal heart failure (circulatory collapse)Possible side effects of medications include:CoughDigitalis toxicityGastrointestinal upset (such as nausea, heartburn, diarrhea)HeadacheLight-headedness and faintingLow blood pressureLupusreactionMuscle crampsCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if weakness, increased cough or sputum production, sudden weight gain or swelling, or other new or unexplained symptoms develop.Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you experience severe crushing chest pain, fainting, or rapid and irregular heartbeat(particularly if other symptoms accompany a rapid and irregular heartbeat).PreventionFollow your health care provider's treatment recommendations and take all medications as directed.Keep your blood pressure , heart rate, and cholesterol under control as recommended by your doctor. This may involve exercise, a special diet, and medications.Other important treatment measures:Do not smoke.Do not drink alcohol.Reduce salt intake.Exercise as recommended by your health care provider.ReferencesHunt SA, Abraham WT, Chin MH, Feldman AM, Francis GS, Ganiats TG, et al. ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;46:1-82.Mann DL. Management of heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Libby: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Saunders; 2007: chap 25.Hess OM and Carroll JD. Clinical assessment of heart failure. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Libby: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Saunders; 2007: chap 23.Jessup M, Abraham WT, Casey DE, Feldman AM, Francis GS, Ganiats TG, et al. 2009 focused update: ACCF/AHA Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure in Adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines: developed in collaboration with the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Circulation. 2009 Apr 14;119(14):1977-2016. Epub 2009 Mar 26.
Dilated cardiomyopathy?
DefinitionDilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged, and it cannot pump blood efficiently. The decreased heart function can affect the lungs, liver, and other body systems.There are several different types of cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form.See also:Hypertrophic cardiomyopathyIschemic cardiomyopathyRestrictive cardiomyopathyAlternative NamesCardiomyopathy - dilatedCauses, incidence, and risk factorsThere are many causes of dilated cardiomyopathy. Some of these are:Alcohol (alcoholic cardiomyopathy) or cocaine abuseAtrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, or other heart rhythm problems in which the heart beats very fast for a long period of time (called Tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy)Autoimmune illnesses that involve the heart, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritisCatecholamine excess from a tumor that releases catecholamines (pheochromocytoma)Coronary artery disease (See: Ischemic cardiomyopathy)Deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals (thiamine, calcium, magnesium)End-stage kidney diseaseFamily history of cardiomyopathy (some cardiomyopathies run in families and have a genetic component)Infections that involve the heart muscle, such as viruses, HIV infection, Chagas disease, and Lyme diseaseInherited disorders such as muscular dystrophyMedications that can be toxic to the heart (such as some chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer)Poorly controlled high blood pressurePregnancy (See: Peripartum cardiomyopathy)Stress-induced cardiomyopathyTrace elements, such as lead, arsenic, or mercuryThis condition can affect anyone at any age. However, it is most common in adult men.The most common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy in children are:Heart (coronary) diseaseMyocarditisSome infectionsUnknown cause (idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy)SymptomsSymptoms of heart failure are most common. Usually, they develop slowly over time. However, sometimes symptoms start very suddenly and are severe. Common symptoms are:Shortness of breath with activity or after lying down (or being asleep) for a while, or in infants while feedingSwelling of feet and ankles (in adults)Irregular or rapid pulseFatigue, weakness, faintnessSwelling of the abdomen (in adults)Loss of appetiteCoughOther symptoms may include:Chest painDecreased alertness or concentrationFailure to thrive (in children)Low urine productionNeed to urinate at night (in adults)ShockSigns and testsCardiomyopathy is usually discovered when the doctor is examining and testing you for the cause of heart failure.Tapping over the heart with the fingers and feeling the area may indicate that the heart is enlarged.Listening to the chest with a stethoscope reveals lung crackles, heart murmur, or other abnormal sounds.The liver may be enlarged.Neck veins may be bulging.A number of laboratory tests may be done to determine the cause:Antinuclear antibody (ANA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and other tests to diagnose autoimmune illnessesAntibody test to identify infections such as Lyme disease and HIVSerum TSH and T4 test to identify thyroid problemsChildren will have:Poor growthPale skinDifficulty feedingWeak pulses in the legs and armsHeart enlargement, congestion of the lungs, decreased movement/functioning of the heart, or heart failure may show on these tests:Echocardiogram(ultrasound of the heart)Cardiac stress testsCardiac catheterization and coronary angiographyChest CT scanor MRI of the heartChest x-rayNuclear heart scan (MUGA, RNV)Other tests may include:ECGHeart biopsyLab tests vary depending on the suspected cause.TreatmentWhen the cause of the dilated cardiomyopathy can be found, that condition is treated. For example, high blood pressure or coronary artery disease should be treated. If alcohol or cocaine use is the cause, your doctor will ask you to stop using them. Sometimes, no specific cause can be found, but the treatments listed below will still be used.Attempts are also made to find a "trigger" that may have caused a sudden worsening in a patient's symptoms. Examples include not taking medication correctly, increasing salt or fluid intake, or drinking excess alcohol.Treatment for cardiomyopathies focuses on treating heart failure. Drugs and treatments that may be used include:ACE inhibitors, such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, and ramiprilAngiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as losartan and candesartanBeta-blockers, such as carvedilol and metoprololDiuretics, including thiazide, loop diuretics, and potassium-sparing diureticsDigitalis glycosidesDrugs that dilate blood vessels (vasodilators)See also: Heart failureSome people may benefit from the following heart devices:Single or dual-chamber pacemakerBiventricular pacemakerImplantable cardioverter-defibrillatorLeft ventricular assist device (LVAD)A low-salt diet may be prescribed for adults, and fluid may be restricted in some cases. You can usually continue your regular activities, if you are able.You may be asked to monitor your body weight daily. Weight gain of 3 pounds or more over 1 or 2 days may indicate fluid buildup (in adults).Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, which may make the symptoms worse.If the heart function remains poor, a heart transplant may be considered.Expectations (prognosis)The outcome varies. Some people remain in a stable condition for long periods of time, some continue to gradually get sicker, and others quickly get worse. Cardiomyopathy can only be corrected if the disease that caused it can be cured.About one-third of children recover completely, one-third recover but continue to have some heart problems, and one-third die.ComplicationsArrhythmiasCongestive heart failurePulmonary edemaSide effects of medications, including: HeadacheGastrointestinal upsetLight-headedness and faintingLow blood pressureLupus reaction (a group of symptoms including a skin rash and arthritis)Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of cardiomyopathy.If chest pain, palpitations, or faintness develop seek emergency medical treatment immediately.PreventionEat a well-balanced and nutritious dietExercise to improve heart fitnessStop smokingMinimize alcohol consumptionReferencesHare JM. The dilated, restrictive, and infiltrative cardiomyopathies. Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 64.Wexler RK, Elton T, Pleister A, Feldman D. Cardiomyopathy: An overview. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79:778-784.Bernstein D. Diseases of the myocardium. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 439.
