Ischemic
Heart Disease
Ischemic cardiomyopathy
is a term that doctors use to
describe patients who have reduced heart pumping (squeezing) due
to coronary artery disease. These patients often have congestive
heart failure. "Ischemic" means that an organ (such as the
heart) is not getting enough blood and oxygen. "Cardio" means
heart and "myopathy" means muscle-related disease.
Ischemic cardiomyopathy results when the arteries that bring
blood and oxygen to the heart are blocked. There is usually a
buildup of cholesterol and other substances, called plaque, in
the arteries that bring oxygen to heart muscle tissue. Over
time, the heart muscle does not work well, and it is more
difficult for the heart to fill and pump blood to the body.
Risks for this condition include:
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• High-fat diet
• Obesity
• Personal or family history of heart attack, angina, unstable
angina, atherosclerosis, or other coronary artery diseases
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy often have symptoms of
angina or heart failure.
Symptoms may include
Chest pain,
Fatigue, Dizziness, Shortness of Breath,
Swelling of legs and
ankles, Nausea, Vomiting, Cold sweat,
Feeling of Heart Burn or
Indigestion, Palpitation and Loss of Appetite.
Management of ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and treat the cause
of the condition. If symptoms are severe, patient may need to
stay in the hospital.
The best way to prevent Ischemic Cardiomyopathy is to avoid
getting heart (cardiovascular) disease (for example, high blood
pressure and coronary artery disease).
• Avoid excessive drinking
• Eat a healthy diet full of whole grain cereals, pulses,
legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat milk and milk
products and occasionally lean meat.
• Exercise as much as possible
• Maintain a healthy weight
• See your doctor to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and
diabetes
• Stop smoking
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