Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy[edit | edit source]
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a form of cardiomyopathy that is caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. It is characterized by the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle, which can lead to heart failure.
Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart becomes enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently. Chronic alcohol consumption leads to direct toxic effects on the myocardium, resulting in impaired myocardial contractility. This condition is often associated with arrhythmias and can progress to congestive heart failure.
Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
Patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy may present with symptoms of heart failure, including dyspnea, edema, and fatigue. They may also experience palpitations due to arrhythmias. Physical examination may reveal signs of heart failure such as jugular venous distension, hepatomegaly, and peripheral edema.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of alcoholic cardiomyopathy is based on a combination of clinical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Echocardiography is a key tool in assessing the size and function of the heart. Other tests may include electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, and blood tests to assess liver function and rule out other causes of cardiomyopathy.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The primary treatment for alcoholic cardiomyopathy is the cessation of alcohol consumption. This can lead to improvement in cardiac function and symptoms. Additional treatments may include medications such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics to manage heart failure symptoms. In severe cases, heart transplantation may be considered.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis of alcoholic cardiomyopathy depends on the extent of heart damage and the patient's ability to abstain from alcohol. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to significant improvement in cardiac function and quality of life.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Gross pathology of idiopathic cardiomyopathy
B-Mode echocardiogram of dilated cardiomyopathy
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
