Cardiomyopathy

Question 1

What is cardiomyopathy?

Answer 1

Diseases of the heart muscle
Heart walls have become stretched, thickened or stiff

Question 2

What are the 3 types of cardiomyopathy?

Answer 2

Dilated
Restrictive and infiltrative
Hypertrophic

Question 3

What is dilated cardiomyopathy?

Answer 3

Left ventricle enlarged and weakened
Greater risk of HF

Question 4

What is the presentation of dilated cardiomyopathy?

Answer 4

Dyspnoea
Fatigue
Orthopnoea
Ankle swelling
Elevated JVP
Narrow pulse pressure
Hepatomegaly
Displaced apex beat

Question 5

What is restrictive cardiomyopathy?

Answer 5

Heart chamber walls become stiff and rigid and cannot relax properly after contracting
Rare

Question 6

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Answer 6

Heart muscle cells enlarged and walls thicken
Caused by a sarcomere gene defect so relaxation is impaired

Question 7

What is the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy?

Answer 7

ECG
Echo
MRI scan
Exercise tests
Genetic tests

Question 8

What is the treatment of cardiomyopathy?

Answer 8

Lifestyle changes
Beta blockers
Diuretics
Anticoagulants
Hypertension drugs