NRS 455 Identify a cardiac or respiratory dysfunction and its cause

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often goes undiagnosed because many people with the disease have few symptoms or none. However, in a small number of people with HCM, the thickened heart muscle can cause shortness of breath, chest pain or changes in the heart’s electrical system, resulting in life-threatening arrhythmias or sudden death. Sometimes, dilated cardiomyopathy that comes on suddenly may go away on its own.  Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common type, occurring mostly in adults younger than 50. It affects the heart’s ventricles and atria, the lower and upper chambers of the heart. Frequently, the disease starts in the left ventricle, the heart’s main pumping chamber. The heart muscle begins to dilate, stretching and becoming thinner. As a result, the inside of the chamber enlarges. The problem often spreads to the right ventricle and then to the atria. As the heart chambers dilate, the heart muscle doesn’t contract normally and can’t pump blood very well. As the heart becomes weaker, heart failure can occur.  People who have cardiomyopathy, but no signs or symptoms, may not need treatment. In other instances, treatment is needed. Treatment hinges on a few factors: the type of cardiomyopathy, the severity of your symptoms and complications as well as your age and overall health.

Necessary lifestyle changes which may help manage a condition that’s causing cardiomyopathy. Healthy diet and physical activity, quitting smoking, losing excess weight, avoiding alcohol and illegal drugs, getting enough sleep. Many medications are used to treat cardiomyopathy.   Medications used to reduce inflammation include corticosteroids. Diuretics, antiplatelets, beta blockers, antiarrhythmics ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers.   Electrolytes also help muscle and nerve tissues work properly. Medicines used to balance electrolytes include aldosterone blockers.

References

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiomyopathy

https://my.clevelandclinic.org