Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Oakville
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
What is Restrictive Cardiomyopathy?
Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a type of cardiomyopathy where the muscles in the bottom chambers (ventricles) of the heart become rigid. Every time the heart contracts, this rigidity prevents the ventricles from relaxing and subsequently filling back up with adequate blood volume for the next heartbeat. In the early stages, the pumping function of the heart may be normal, but as the disease progresses, the pumping function gradually begins to decline. Fortunately, restrictive cardiomyopathy is the rarest type of cardiomyopathy, representing only about 5% of all cardiomyopathies.
What are the symptoms of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy?
In the early stages, there may be no symptoms. However, once heart failure develops, the symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath and feeling congested
- Exercise intolerance – an inability to carry out daily activities due to fatigue or exhaustion
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and/or feet (edema)
- Cough - especially at night or when lying down
- Abdominal bloating
- Weight gain
- Angina – chest pressure, pain or discomfort
- Palpitations – fluttering sensation in the chest due to an arrhythmia
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
What causes Restrictive Cardiomyopathy?
There are many causes, but some of the more frequently encountered causes include:
- Amyloidosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Connective Tissue Diseases
- Hemochromatosis (iron overload)
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
What are the complications of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy?
- Heart Failure
- Kidney Failure
- Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)
- Thromboembolism & Stroke – blood clots in the heart that travel to other organs of the body
How is Restrictive Cardiomyopathy treated?
The goal of managing restrictive cardiomyopathy is to diagnose and manage it in the early stages, before the heart function becomes compromised. In the early stages, management of restrictive cardiomyopathy will depend on the cause of the restrictive cardiomyopathy and tailoring therapy accordingly. Once the heart function declines, it is managed in a very similar fashion as other non-ischemic cardiomyopathies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the rarest form of cardiomyopathy, accounting for about 5% of all cardiomyopathies. There are three major types of cardiomyopathies: Dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common, and restrictive cardiomyopathy is the least common.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for restrictive cardiomyopathy. Management focuses on mitigating the risk factors and treating the specific cause, if known. Once heart failure develops, management is then focused on symptom control and improving the heart function. Some patients will progress to needing a mechanical circulatory support device or cardiac transplant to improve survival. Our goal at the Chahal Cardiovascular Centre, is to recognize and manage restrictive cardiomyopathy early and prevent the progression to the end-stages, if possible.
Still have a question about restrictive cardiomyopathy? Speak to your doctor about a referral to the Chahal Cardiovascular Centre for an Advanced Heart Failure consultation.
