Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the chronic long-term abuse of alcohol leads to heart failure. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy. Due to the direct toxic effects of alcohol on heart muscle, the heart is unable pump blood efficiently, leading to heart failure. It can affect other parts of the body if the heart failure is severe. It is most common in males between the ages of 35-50.
Symptoms
Symptoms presented by the occurrence of alcoholic cardiomyopathy are the result of the heart failing and usually occur after the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Therefore the symptoms have a lot in common with other forms of cardiomyopathy. These symptoms can include.
* Ankle, feet, and leg swelling
* Overall swelling
* Loss of appetite
* Shortness of breath, especially with activity
* Breathing difficulty while lying down
* Fatigue, weakness, faintness
* Decreased alertness or concentration
* Cough containing mucus, or pink, frothy material
* Decreased urine output (oliguria)
* Need to urinate at night (nocturia)
* Palpitations
* Irregular or rapid pulse
Diagnosis
Abnormal heart sounds, murmurs, EKG abnormalities, and enlarged heart on chest x-ray may lead to the diagnosis. Echocardiogram abnormalities and cardiac catheterization or angiogram to rule out coronary artery blockages, along with a history of alcohol abuse can confirm the diagnosis.
