3. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: Exploring the Rigid Heart
The third type of cardiomyopathy is Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM). This is the least common type of cardiomyopathy and is characterized by rigid heart walls that are unable to expand and fill with blood properly. This rigidity restricts the amount of blood the ventricles can take in, reducing the volume of blood pumped to the body with each heartbeat.
RCM can develop due to various reasons. Some people can develop the condition due to idiopathic causes, which means the cause is unknown.
Others may develop RCM due to diseases that affect the body’s tissues, like amyloidosis, where abnormal proteins build up in the body’s organs, or hemochromatosis, where too much iron builds up in the body. Other causes can include sarcoidosis, which causes inflammation in the body’s organs, or the buildup of scar tissue in the heart for no known reason.
Symptoms of RCM can be quite debilitating and include fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, and swelling of the abdomen and lower extremities. These symptoms occur due to the heart’s inability to fill with and pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Moreover, due to its restrictive nature, the condition can lead to complications like heart failure, arrhythmias, and thromboembolism, where blood clots form within the heart and subsequently get dislodged.
When it comes to managing RCM, the main goals are symptom control and improving quality of life. The treatment typically involves medications like diuretics to help remove excess fluid from the body and reduce swelling, anticoagulants to prevent blood clot formation, and antiarrhythmics to control heart rhythm.
In some cases, if the underlying cause is known and treatable, treating it may improve heart function. However, the most severe cases might require a heart transplant.
Lifestyle changes are crucial to manage RCM, which include low-sodium and low-fluid diet, regular monitoring of weight, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, and engaging in light exercise as tolerated. It’s also essential for individuals with RCM to get emotional support to cope with the stress and anxiety that can come with this chronic condition. Support groups and counseling can play a vital role in providing this support. (3)
