CARDIOMYOPATHY HOME PAGE
EXERCISE SCIENCE 597 TERM PROJECT
KRYSTIN CARPENTER
I. INTRODUCTION TO CARDIOMYOPATHY
II. TYPES:
1. HYPERTROPHIC
a. Definition
b. History/causes
c. Symptoms
d. Tests for Detection
e. Treatments
f. Complications
B. DILATED
a. Definition
b. History/causes
c. Symptoms
d. Tests for Detection
e. Treatments
f. Complications
C. RESTRICTIVE
a. Definition
b. History/causes
c. Symptoms
d. Tests for Detection
e. Treatments
f. Complications
IV. REFERENCES
1. BOOKS
2. ARTICLES
3. URLS
A cardiomyopathy is any structural or functional abnormality of the ventricular myocardium. This abnormal condition of the heart muscle can lead to an impairment of the ability to pump blood and eventually lead to heart failure. This is a very serious disease that may have multiple causes. Cardiomyopathies can be classified as primary or secondary. A primary cardiomyopathy can't be attributed to a specific cause such as hypertension, heart valve disease, artery diseases, or congenital heart defects. A secondary cardiomyopathy is due to specific causes and is often associated with diseases involving other organs as well as the heart. There are three types of cardiomyopathy: 1. "hypertrophic", 2. "dilated", and 3. "restrictive".
1. A hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by left and/or right ventricular enlargement which normally involves the interventricular septum.
2. Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by a dilatation and impaired contraction of the left or both ventricles.
3. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is characterized by restrictive filling and reduced diastolic volume of the left or both ventricles with normal or near normal systolic function and wall thickness.
Cardiomyopathies are rare and can be transmitted genetically as an autosomal dominant trait. Symptoms may be absent and sudden death may occur without warning.
Sudden death is associated with vigorous exercise and has occurred to some professional and collegiate athletes. In studies, the major contributor to sudden death from cardiovascular causes during sport was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
At present there is no cure for a cardiomyopathy. There are possibilities that some drugs and even surgery may decrease the symptoms.
Cardiomyopathies have not only been found in humans, but in cats, dogs, and ferrets as well. However, in animals, the cardiomyopathies can be prevented with additions of amino acids to their diets.