CARDIOMYOPATHY

  Cardiovascular diseases are medical conditions of the heart (as the word "cardio" imply) and the blood vessels, and they are very well relevant in today's world population. Thanks to the 20th century, a large number of cardiovascular diseases have been identified. However, now that there is better awareness of these heart conditions, the mortality rate is still at a significantly high level. One of the major or primary cardiovascular diseases is cardiomyopathy. 

  Cardiomyopathy, in the most simplified definition, is described as a disease of the heart muscles which leads to abnormal functioning of the heart or decrease in efficiency of the heart. This eventually lead to the inability to pump blood efficiently with the heart, or circulation of blood around the body and to the heart. There are so many complications that can result from this, and cardiomyopathy is one of them.

  It has three common types namely, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Each type is sorted depending entirely on the causes of the disease. Cardiomyopathy can either be acquired (i.e  through intake, or physical actions of  an individual) or inherited from one's descendants or direct parents. 

  For hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, it is usually inherited and from most analysis done, it is the most common,  it's infection rate is at 1 individual per a 500 people population. 

  On the other hand, dilated cardiomyopathy can be inherited, however, it is not as common as found in hypertrophic. Since it can also be acquired either as a result of alcohol, or by viral infections (such as Covid-19), or use of hard drugs like cocaine.

  Lastly, we have restrictive cardiomyopathy. It is usually acquired, it can be caused by a group of diseases such as amyloidosis (resulting from the abnormal proteins called amyloid fibrils that build up in the tissue).

  I will try to explain with an image, how an heart affected by cardiomyopathy looks like, physically. Note, that the disease only occur at the ventricular part of the heart. Thus, that's what I am about to show you.

  A ventricular part of the heart as seen above shows signs of thickening, a whitish area (which is a result of the disease referred to as subendocardial fibrosis) and dilation (i.e the enlargement that can be visibly noticed.

  Nevertheless, a much more described cause of cardiomyopathy is that the primary effect is as a result of the abnormality exhibited by the heart, however, the secondary effect is how the body, to which the heart pumps blood reacts back.

  People with cardiomyopathy are at high risk of having a sudden cardiac arrest. It's severities usually differ, and that depend on many factors that have been mentioned earlier. 

SYMPTOMS

• Breathlessness. Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing as seen with Covid-19 patients.

• Swelling of feet, ankles and legs.

• Fatigue.

• Rapid heart beating.

• Chest pressure or discomfort.

PS: These are just the major symptoms commonly exhibited by cardiomyopathy patients.

TREATMENTS

  Sadly, in severe cases heart transplants are usually needed. Although, it isn't endangering to anyone other than the cardiomyopathy patient (I will explain), however, in most underdeveloped or developing countries, it is extremely hard to find donors. Because of the low level of enlightenment amongst these people. 

  Firstly, it's something that isn't alarmable, except to the patient not the donor, the reason being that, the donor are already dead, the things needed are the devices that will be used in preserving and keeping the heart working till the surgery. Lives after heart transplants are usually difficult, both mentally and psychologically problems arise. And of course, with proper therapy and follow up treatments after surgeries, things should get better. However, complications do occur, especially if it's because of an error from the surgeon, for example, a situation whereby a patient is bleeding after surgery. 

  Other treatments like change of lifestyle also help in mitigating the effects and also in handling the disease. Also, the use of ventricular assist devices are of very important use for people with very severe cardiomyopathy cases.

PREVENTIONS

• Regular and healthy exercises.

• Getting enough sleep.

• Stopping or avoiding the intake of alcohol and hard drugs like cocaine.

• Reducing stress.

• Implementation of a healthy diet.

  Under normal circumstances, some of these preventions can also be effective in treating cardiomyopathy. I wish you and your loved ones an heartfelt strength to get past everything you are going through, everything does get better. Thank you.