In arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), the heart muscle is replaced by fat and scar tissue. This can make it harder for the heart to pump blood out to the body. ARVC usually affects the right side of the heart. The fat and scar tissue causes the right side of the heart to stretch. In very bad cases, a weak heart may cause fluid to build up outside of the heart, in the lungs (causing shortness of breath), or the ankles or belly (causing swelling). ARVC also affects the electr…
In dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the heart muscle becomes weak. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood out to the body. This causes the bottom chambers to dilate (stretch). A weak heart can also cause fluid to build up in parts of the body like the lungs (causing shortness of breath) and the ankles or belly (causing swelling). DCM may also affect the electrical activity of the heart and can cause fast, dangerous heart rhythms. The pamphlet gives the causes of DCM, symptoms, diagnostic…
This open access book presents a comprehensive overview of dilated cardiomyopathy, providing readers with practical guidelines for its clinical management. The first part of the book analyzes in detail the disease’s pathophysiology, its diagnostic work up as well as the prognostic stratification, and illustrates the role of genetics and gene-environment interaction. The second part presents current and future treatment options, highlighting the importance of long-term and individualized treatme…
This book provides a comprehensive clinical review of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common genetic disorder of the heart characterized by dysfunctional contractility at the sarcomere level, resulting in the development of abnormal and occasionally focal hypertrophy on a macroscopic level. Editor, Srihari S. Naidu, has brought together a world renowned group of experts to review various different topics but, with a practical focus that will enable readers to establish the evidence-…
In HCM, there is a thickening of the heart muscle, usually in the wall between the 2 lower chambers (the septum). When the muscle thickens, it gets stiff and makes it hard for the bottom chambers to relax and fill with blood before each heartbeat. Thickening can also make it harder for blood to leave the heart. This can lower the amount of blood the heart can pump out to the rest of the body. Thickening of the heart muscle can create scar tissue. This can make you more at risk of dangerous, fas…