9. Metabolic Disorders: Unseen Errors with Tangible Consequences
Next, we delve into the world of metabolic disorders, a group of conditions that often fly under the radar but can have a significant impact on heart health. Metabolic disorders involve problems with the processing of proteins, fats, or carbohydrates, which can lead to an array of health issues, including metabolic cardiomyopathy.
Fabry disease, a rare genetic disorder, is one such condition that can lead to cardiomyopathy. In Fabry disease, the body can’t break down a particular type of fat, leading to its accumulation in various body cells, including heart cells. This accumulation can damage the heart, leading to what’s known as Fabry cardiomyopathy.
Similarly, disorders of the mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, can also lead to cardiomyopathy. Mitochondria are responsible for creating most of the energy needed by a cell to function. Mitochondrial disorders, which often have a genetic basis, can prevent heart muscle cells from producing enough energy, leading to mitochondrial cardiomyopathy.(9)
