Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Nonischemic cardiomyopathy is when problems with your heart muscle aren’t due to reduced blood flow. Instead, causes include genetics, infections, and autoimmune conditions.
Cardiomyopathy is the medical term for problems with the heart muscle. Doctors often categorize these conditions according to their cause.
Ischemic cardiomyopathies are due to reduced blood flow to the heart. Common examples include narrowed arteries and heart attacks.
Nonischemic cardiomyopathies, on the other hand, aren’t due to reduced blood flow to the heart. Possible causes include viral infections and autoimmune conditions.
This article explores the symptoms, treatment, and outlook associated with some common types of nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
What causes nonischemic cardiomyopathy?
Your heart’s job is to pump blood to the rest of your body. A healthy heart pumps out 55–70% of the blood it contains each time it contracts.
When your heart pumps out more or less than that amount, it’s usually a sign of a problem. The problem might be ischemic or nonischemic. The most common cause of ischemic cardiomyopathy is coronary artery disease.
Common causes of nonischemic cardiomyopathy include:
Sometimes, the cause of nonischemic cardiomyopathy isn’t clear. This is known as idiopathic nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
What are the symptoms of nonischemic cardiomyopathy?
Nonischemic cardiomyopathy may not cause any symptoms, or it can cause symptoms of heart failure or another heart problem. Those can include:
You might develop additional symptoms depending on the cause of your nonischemic cardiomyopathy. For example, people with nonischemic cardiomyopathy due to amyloidosis may also have nerve problems like carpal tunnel syndrome. Those with underlying inflammatory conditions may have other symptoms, like joint swelling or rash.
How do doctors diagnose nonischemic cardiomyopathy?
Your doctor will start by asking about your symptoms and medical history to learn more about your condition.
During a physical examination, they will listen to your heart and lungs and look for outward signs of cardiomyopathy, such as swelling in your legs and feet.
If they suspect cardiomyopathy, they may order additional tests. One of the main tests doctors use to detect cardiomyopathy is called an echocardiogram.
An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound that produces a live image of the heart muscle as it contracts and relaxes. It can help your doctor see how well your heart is functioning.
Other tests for nonischemic cardiomyopathy can include:
What’s the treatment for nonischemic cardiomyopathy?
The treatment for nonischemic cardiomyopathy depends on the cause, as well as your symptoms and the level of heart damage.
Sometimes, it can help to treat the underlying cause of nonischemic cardiomyopathy. If your case is mild, your doctor might suggest monitoring your condition, adopting a heart-healthy diet, and making lifestyle changes.
Your doctor might also prescribe medications. These can include the “four pillars” of heart failure therapy:
Additional medications may include
Some people require the use of a surgically implanted pacemaker or defibrillator to regulate an irregular heartbeat.
What’s the outlook for people with nonischemic cardiomyopathy?
Nonischemic cardiomyopathy can increase your likelihood of severe complications, including:
Your outlook will depend on the cause of your nonischemic cardiomyopathy, along with factors such as your level of heart function and any other health conditions you might have.
In general, nonischemic cardiomyopathy tends to have a more positive outlook than ischemic cardiomyopathy.
The authors of a 2020 study compared 873 people with cardiomyopathy. They reported that the mortality rate and risk of sudden cardiac death were higher among people with ischemic cardiomyopathy than those with nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
Who’s at risk of nonischemic cardiomyopathy?
Anyone can develop nonischemic cardiomyopathy, but it’s more common in females and younger people.
Some important risk factors include:
How can I prevent nonischemic cardiomyopathy?
It may not be possible to prevent nonischemic cardiomyopathy. The most you can do is take general precautions to avoid common viruses, such as washing your hands regularly and thoroughly.
It’s also important to make heart health a priority. You can try:
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
What’s the life expectancy of someone with nonischemic cardiomyopathy?
Nonischemic cardiomyopathy has many causes. Your life expectancy will depend on the cause and how well your heart is functioning.
Is nonischemic cardiomyopathy the same as heart failure?
Nonischemic cardiomyopathy is a type of heart muscle problem that’s not due to coronary artery disease, which is a common cause of heart failure. Nonischemic cardiomyopathy commonly causes heart failure, a condition in which the heart isn’t effectively supplying blood to the body.
Is nonischemic cardiomyopathy reversible?
It’s possible to recover some heart function (as measured by ejection fraction) in some types of nonischemic cardiomyopathy. For example, nonischemic cardiomyopathy due to chemotherapy is sometimes reversible. In other cases, making lifestyle changes or taking medications can help slow the progression of cardiomyopathy.
Takeaway
Nonischemic cardiomyopathy is an umbrella term for any cardiomyopathy that isn’t due to coronary artery disease.
It can be genetic. In other cases, it’s linked to another condition, such as a viral infection or an autoimmune condition.
A doctor will try to identify the cause when making a diagnosis. Your treatment may depend on what’s causing your cardiomyopathy.
Thank you for this comprehensive overview of nonischemic cardiomyopathy! Understanding the different causes and symptoms is incredibly important for identifying and managing this condition. The treatment options you detailed also offer hope and clear guidance for those affected. It’s crucial to spread awareness on this subject, and your post does an excellent job of doing just that!
Thank you for this comprehensive overview on nonischemic cardiomyopathy. It’s incredibly helpful to understand the various causes, from genetic predispositions to viral infections, and how these can impact heart function differently than ischemic causes. The detailed breakdown of symptoms and treatment options, including lifestyle changes and medical interventions, provides a clear guide for those diagnosed with the condition. This post is a valuable resource for both patients and their families to grasp the complexity of nonischemic cardiomyopathy and the hope that effective management can bring.
This was such an informative read! I had no idea that nonischemic cardiomyopathy could result from such a diverse range of causes beyond just genetic factors. The detailed breakdown of symptoms is really helpful for understanding what to look out for, and the section on treatments gives a lot of hope for managing the condition effectively. Thanks for shedding light on this important topic!
This is a really informative post! Nonischemic cardiomyopathy can be quite overwhelming to understand, and you’ve done an excellent job breaking it down into manageable sections. The explanations of causes, symptoms, and treatment options are clear and concise. I especially appreciate the emphasis on the importance of early diagnosis and the various treatment approaches available. Thanks for shedding light on this important topic!