When the condition becomes more severe, sufferers begin to build up extra fluid in their body, which can cause shortness of breath with rest or minimal exertion. Many patients notice difficulty breathing, particularly when lying down at night. Some patients, but not all, may develop swelling of their feet or abdomen and abdominal discomfort. Occasionally, cardiomyopathy sufferers first get medical help because of an abnormal heart rhythm or a blood clot arising from the large heart. A multidisciplinary team specializing in cardiomyopathy may be able to identify some causes of heart muscle weakness which can be directly treated.
Diuretics reduce excess fluid Anti-arrhythmic drugs stabilize the heart rhythm.
Systematic balancing of the medications can often lead to dramatic improvement in the way patients feel with the disease. Even the weak heart muscle has a great capacity to compensate in order to maintain good blood flow to the body. It's important to recognize that many people with cardiomyopathy can have a good quality of life by becoming key players on their own care team. Although every effort has been made to ensure that data is current, please note that some information may be outdated by more recent medical developments. This information is meant as an educational starting point, and is not a substitute for personal consultation with your own physician.