Can Exercise Help Cardiomyopathy?

People suffering from cardiomyopathy and display no signs/symptoms may not require any treatment. In a few situations, a dilated cardiomyopathy that comes suddenly fades away on its own. For other patients, treatment is necessary. The doctor chooses an appropriate treatment depending on the category of the cardiomyopathy that an individual is suffering from, its severity, complications, and symptoms. Additional factors include gender, age, overall health, and race.

The Main Aim of Treating Cardiomyopathy

The 4 main goals of treating cardiomyopathy include:

  1. Managing the conditions that are responsible or contributing to the occurrence
  2. Stopping the disease from aggravating
  3. Controlling the symptoms or signs to allow the patient to lead a healthy life
  4. Reducing the complications or risks that result in sudden cardiac arrest.

Can Exercise Help Cardiomyopathy?

Can Exercise Help Cardiomyopathy?

Exercises play a crucial role in improving the overall health. In case of a patient suffering from cardiomyopathy, it is preferable to seek the assistance of the doctor to ensure that are participating or increasing the physical activity will be helpful in reducing the symptoms or signs responsible for cardiomyopathy. However, considering the overall health and certain underlying illnesses that pose a threat to the occurrence of cardiomyopathy, participating in regular physical activities prolongs the lifespan and assists in the reduction of the symptoms, complications, and risk factors that can lead to coronary artery diseases or heart failure.

Healthy Diet

Apart from participating in physical activities, it is also crucial for patients suffering from cardiomyopathy to follow a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes the inclusion of a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and grains. Opting for whole-grain products is necessary. The menu also consists of food that is low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat. Healthy foods include fish, lean meats, beans, paltry without skin, low-fat dairy products. Reducing the intake of sodium content also helps in keeping away from symptoms that are responsible for the development of cardiomyopathy.

Avoiding aerated drinks, alcohol, and beverages that are rich in sugar is preferable. Staying fit and aiming for healthy weight is a healthy way to prevent the symptoms of cardiomyopathy.

Additional Lifestyle Changes

  • Losing excess weight
  • Avoiding drugs such as cocaine
  • Reducing stress
  • Quitting smoking
  • Providing the body with the needed amount of sleep and rest
  • Treating underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes

Medicines

A doctor can prescribe medications to treat cardiomyopathy. These include:

  • Lowering blood pressure using ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, and angiotensin II receptor blockers
  • Using antiarrhythmics to keep the heart beating in the normal rhythm
  • Balancing the electrolytes in the body with the help of Aldosterone blockers
  • Using diuretics or water pills that help in removing excess fluid and sodium content from the body
  • Using blood thinners or anticoagulants that prevent the formation of blood clots
  • Using corticosteroids that are helpful in reducing the inflammation.

Surgical Procedures

A few types of cardiomyopathy require surgery. They include:

Septal Myectomy – it is an open-heart surgery for patients detected with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The operation is helpful for younger patients and for those where medicines are not controlling the symptoms.

Implanted Devices – placing devices in the heart is useful in helping it to function appropriately. The best example is a pacemaker. It is a small device placed under the skin of the abdomen or chest to control arrhythmias. It produces electrical impulses that prompt the heart to beat at the normal rate.

Heart Transplant – it is a procedure that requires replacing the diseased heart with that of a heart acquired from a donor. It is the last resort in treating cardiomyopathy.

Also Read:

Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:October 11, 2018

Recent Posts

Related Posts