Thickened heart muscle

Description

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or thickened heart muscle. Heart muscle becomes abnormally thick (hypertrophic).Thickened heart muscle may block the blood flow and lead to heart failure or dangerous, instable heart rhythm (arrhyhtmia). This disorder may be hereditary. Sometimes patients do not have any symptoms of this disease until they collapse and die from the arrhythmia.

Symptoms

Chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, loss of consciousness, sensation of spinning in the head, shortness of breath in physical activity.

Overview

Anamnesis will be taken and medical examination will be done. Examinations for determining the cause and extent of the disorder, includingechocardiogram and Holter monitor may be performed.

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC), biochemical blood analysis, electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), test to troponin and X-rays.

Additional analyses

Echocardiogram,transesophagealechocardiogram, MRI-magnetic resonance imaging of the heart,catheterization of the heart, holter monitor.

Specialists

Cardiology

Therapy

Therpy involves: calcium channels blockers, beta-blockers and medicines for arrhythmia. Implantable defribilator (ICD) may be recommended. Surgery is needed in severe cases.