What is the Life Expectancy Of A Woman Who Has Cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy refers to any type of disorder affecting the muscles of one’s heart. This forces the heart of a person to lose its capability of pumping blood in a well manner. In some of the cases, the cardiomyopathy, especially in women causes disturbance in the heart rhythm. These results in irregular heartbeat called as arrhythmias.

Viral infections in the heart of women are the prime causes of the problem of cardiomyopathy. However, in some cases, other problems may even result in cardiomyopathy. This may include complicated congenital heart problems present during birth, uncontrollable and fast heart rhythms, nutritional deficiencies or specific forms of chemotherapy available to treat cancer. Other causes will include high blood pressure, alcohol abuse, coronary artery problem, specific medicines and so on.

Life expectancy of a woman who has cardiomyopathy depends on specific type of cardiomyopathy and its aspects. Until now, experts associated with cardiology studies have unable to know the exact numbers of years a woman may survive with the problem of cardiomyopathy. However, as per their analysis, life expectancy may increase with the proper management of the problem, which further depends on its type, as mentioned in this article.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy takes place whenever muscles of the left ventricle of one’s heart become thick. This blocks the flow of blood to remaining parts of the entire body. Even it affects the mitral valve of women’s heart resulting in leaking backward of the blood from heart valves.

This type of cardiomyopathy is a rare one and it comes in a majority of causes in inherited forms. The problem affects women and men (in some cases) belonging to every age, while symptoms related to the problem may develop in either adulthood or childhood. Although, individuals with this type of problem may survive for long time; but in case if individuals have arrhythmias, they may suffer death suddenly. A few people may even deal with breathing shortness, fainting, angina or chest pain, dizziness and similar others.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is another frequent type of cardiomyopathy problem. In this problem, cavity present in one’s heart stretches and enlarges, while compromises the ability of one’s heart to do the regular pumping function and get relax appropriately. This problem takes place often in adult people aging between 20 years and 60 years.

Eventually, individuals develop the problem of heart failure. Dilated cardiomyopathy may take place because of heavy usage of alcohol and other similar type of nutritional deficiencies. Even this type of cardiomyopathy takes place as a complication of childbirth and pregnancy.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy takes place whenever the muscles of one’s heart become stiff and fails to fill it with the blood in a right way. This is a least common form of the problem and often takes place among women of the United States.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy also takes place because of any underlying problem, which includes hemochromatosis, scleroderma, amyloidosis or sarcoidosis. Restrictive type of problem never seems as inherited one, but a few of such diseases leading to the respective condition are of inherited types. Symptoms in this case are swelling of legs and arms, fatigue and difficulty in taking breath while exertion.

ARVD i.e. Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia refers to a rare form of cardiomyopathy and it takes place when muscular tissues of right ventricles die and scar or fat tissues replace them. Major problem is that the condition disrupts the patients’ heart electrical system and cause arrhythmias. ARVD mainly causes among young adults and teens, while cause sudden cardiac arrest among various young athletes. Symptoms of the problem are fainting and palpitations, especially post physical activity.

Also Read:

• Cardiomyopathy – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
• Causes & Symptoms of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy or ARVC
• Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
• Causes of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy & Its Treatment
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, Prognosis
• What is Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis