Signs Of Cardiomyopathy

Abdominal Bloating

Abdominal bloating describes when an individual feels like their abdomen is tight, swollen, or full. The type of abdominal bloating caused by cardiomyopathy is the result of an accumulation of fluid in the extracellular space within the peritoneal cavity. The buildup of fluid in the abdomen may be referred to as edema or ascites in the medical community. An individual affected by cardiomyopathy has a heart that does not pump blood very well.

This malfunction leads to decreased perfusion of blood in the kidneys, which are responsible for regulating the amount of fluid in the body. The kidneys react to reduced perfusion with the production of renin, which causes increased levels of aldosterone. This process causes the body to hold onto more sodium and fluids in the legs and abdomen than it would otherwise.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can be a symptom indicative of cardiomyopathy because certain types can be caused by hypertension. Ischemic cardiomyopathy is a failure of the heart where it cannot pump blood efficiently because the coronary arteries that supply the myocardium with blood have become narrowed or blocked. High blood pressure is a common cause and finding in coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis patients. High blood pressure can also be indicative of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy because this condition can be caused by hypertension.

An individual's heart has to work harder in conditions of high blood pressure because of the increased blood volume. This heavy workload over time can cause the heart muscles to become larger and thickened, much like the repeated exercise of a leg muscle causes it to become larger. The enlarged and thickened heart walls cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or the flow of blood through the heart chambers to become impaired.