What is Ischemic Cardiomyopathy?

Ischemic cardiomyopathy (CM) is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy. When coronary artery disease is present, or after a heart attack, an artery to the heart can become blocked for a short time, preventing oxygen-rich blood from entering the heart. When this happens, the heart muscle can become enlarged, dilated and weak. This reduces the heart’s capacity to pump blood to the rest of the body.

Ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy treatment is typically focused on the underlying causes of the condition, which is often coronary artery disease. If untreated, ischemic cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure, blood clots or death.

Baptist Health is known for advanced, superior care for patients with heart disease and the diagnosis, management and treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy. You will appreciate timely appointments and respectful attention to your concerns, all in a positive and friendly atmosphere. Here, you have access to the region’s most comprehensive, multidisciplinary team of specialists and innovative therapies, including many available only through specialized clinical trials. In every way, we work to demonstrate the utmost in excellent care to those who trust us with their health.

Signs & Symptoms of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

The most common ischemic CM symptoms include:

• Chest pain and pressure
• Cough and congestion
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Fluttering of the heart
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the legs and feet
• Tiredness
• Weight gain

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis

To determine if someone has an ischemic cardiomyopathy, we use advanced technology to effectively diagnose, inform treatment and carefully monitor the condition. Diagnostic procedures  for ischemic cardiomyopathy can include:

• Angiogram: A thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel and dye injected to make the blood vessel visible during an X-ray. This can show any narrowing of the arteries.
• Chest X-ray: A common imaging test of the heart and aorta.
• CT scans: X-rays and computers are used to create images of the aorta. This provides a more detailed picture than an ultrasound.
• Echocardiogram: An ultrasound exam that takes moving pictures of the heart using soundwaves.
• Electrocardiogram: Ultrasound to get images of the hearts’ chamber and valves.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A large magnet, radio waves and a computer are used to produce pictures of the body. The images show whether there is an aneurysm.
• Myocardial biopsy: A thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a vein or artery via a small incision in the arm, neck or groin. The catheter is carefully threaded up into the heart and a small tissue sample is taken to examine.
• Radionuclide imaging: Special material is injected into the bloodstream and an advanced device is able to assess the heart’s pumping function.

Causes of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

A number of causes contribute to ischemic cardiomyopathy:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Tobacco use

Risk Factors

Risk factors that could contribute to heart disease, which can lead to ischemic cardiomyopathy, include:

• Family history: People with a family history of heart disease are more likely to develop ischemic cardiomyopathy.
• Weight: Those who are overweight or obese have a higher risk for ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Prevention

While some risk factors like heredity cannot be controlled, there are ways you can help to prevent ischemic CM:

• Practice good heart health: Watch what you eat, exercise and avoid smoking,
• Take your medications as prescribed: If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, be certain to take your prescribed medications as directed.

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Prognosis

Treatment of the underlying causes of ischemic cardiomyopathy will help prevent the serious complications that can accompany the condition. Prognosis of ischemic cardiomyopathy prognosis is good when the heart has not been severely damaged, when the patient maintains a healthy lifestyle, takes prescribed medications as directed and seeks regular follow-up care.

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Treatment and Recovery

Ischemic cardiomyopathy treatment focuses on managing symptoms and treating heart disease. An individualized plan of treatment may include medications, lifestyle changes, devices and/or surgery. Depending on how severe the condition is, ischemic cardiomyopathy treatment can include:

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Medications

Medications are prescribed to improve cardiac function; treat symptoms like heart rate, high blood pressure and fluid buildup; and prevent complications.

Lifestyle Changes

A few lifestyle changes can help with quality of life and improve symptoms. Following a low-sodium diet is a primary lifestyle change for those who have ischemic cardiomyopathy. You should also eliminate fat and cholesterol. Incorporating gentle aerobic exercise is also recommended.

Surgery

Surgical treatment is dependent upon how severe the heart disease is. A pacemaker implantation may be recommended. A pacemaker or defibrillator is a small electronic device that normalizes the heart rate. In this procedure, the device is inserted just under the skin in the area of the collarbone. One or more thin wires from the device are carefully threaded through a blood vessel into the heart. You will likely be in the hospital one or two days after the procedure. It may be a few weeks or months until you feel able to fully resume your normal activities.

Follow-up Care After Surgery

Before leaving the hospital, your doctor will discuss your follow-up plan, which will probably include check-ups at one month, six months, 12 months, and annually thereafter. In addition, it is important that you follow a specific health plan to reduce the risk of complications from heart disease:

• Eat a diet low in fat and cholesterol
• Get exercise daily
• Stop smoking
• Reduce stress
• If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, take your medicines as directed.

Complications

Complications of ischemic cardiomyopathy may include:

• Risk of heart failure or heart attack
• Frequent hospitalizations
• Blood clots, which if dislodged, can cause a stroke
• Abnormal heart rhythm

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis

To determine if someone has an ischemic cardiomyopathy, we use advanced technology to effectively diagnose, inform treatment and carefully monitor the condition. Diagnostic procedures  for ischemic cardiomyopathy can include:

• Angiogram: A thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel and dye injected to make the blood vessel visible during an X-ray. This can show any narrowing of the arteries.
• Chest X-ray: A common imaging test of the heart and aorta.
• CT scans: X-rays and computers are used to create images of the aorta. This provides a more detailed picture than an ultrasound.
• Echocardiogram: An ultrasound exam that takes moving pictures of the heart using soundwaves.
• Electrocardiogram: Ultrasound to get images of the hearts’ chamber and valves.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A large magnet, radio waves and a computer are used to produce pictures of the body. The images show whether there is an aneurysm.
• Myocardial biopsy: A thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a vein or artery via a small incision in the arm, neck or groin. The catheter is carefully threaded up into the heart and a small tissue sample is taken to examine.
• Radionuclide imaging: Special material is injected into the bloodstream and an advanced device is able to assess the heart’s pumping function.

Causes of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

A number of causes contribute to ischemic cardiomyopathy:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Tobacco use

Risk Factors

Risk factors that could contribute to heart disease, which can lead to ischemic cardiomyopathy, include:

• Family history: People with a family history of heart disease are more likely to develop ischemic cardiomyopathy.
• Weight: Those who are overweight or obese have a higher risk for ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Prevention

While some risk factors like heredity cannot be controlled, there are ways you can help to prevent ischemic CM:

• Practice good heart health: Watch what you eat, exercise and avoid smoking,
• Take your medications as prescribed: If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, be certain to take your prescribed medications as directed.

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Prognosis

Treatment of the underlying causes of ischemic cardiomyopathy will help prevent the serious complications that can accompany the condition. Prognosis of ischemic cardiomyopathy prognosis is good when the heart has not been severely damaged, when the patient maintains a healthy lifestyle, takes prescribed medications as directed and seeks regular follow-up care.

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Treatment and Recovery

Ischemic cardiomyopathy treatment focuses on managing symptoms and treating heart disease. An individualized plan of treatment may include medications, lifestyle changes, devices and/or surgery. Depending on how severe the condition is, ischemic cardiomyopathy treatment can include:

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Medications

Medications are prescribed to improve cardiac function; treat symptoms like heart rate, high blood pressure and fluid buildup; and prevent complications.

Lifestyle Changes

A few lifestyle changes can help with quality of life and improve symptoms. Following a low-sodium diet is a primary lifestyle change for those who have ischemic cardiomyopathy. You should also eliminate fat and cholesterol. Incorporating gentle aerobic exercise is also recommended.

Surgery

Surgical treatment is dependent upon how severe the heart disease is. A pacemaker implantation may be recommended. A pacemaker or defibrillator is a small electronic device that normalizes the heart rate. In this procedure, the device is inserted just under the skin in the area of the collarbone. One or more thin wires from the device are carefully threaded through a blood vessel into the heart. You will likely be in the hospital one or two days after the procedure. It may be a few weeks or months until you feel able to fully resume your normal activities.

Follow-up Care After Surgery

Before leaving the hospital, your doctor will discuss your follow-up plan, which will probably include check-ups at one month, six months, 12 months, and annually thereafter. In addition, it is important that you follow a specific health plan to reduce the risk of complications from heart disease:

• Eat a diet low in fat and cholesterol
• Get exercise daily
• Stop smoking
• Reduce stress
• If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, take your medicines as directed.

Complications

Complications of ischemic cardiomyopathy may include:

• Risk of heart failure or heart attack
• Frequent hospitalizations
• Blood clots, which if dislodged, can cause a stroke
• Abnormal heart rhythm