Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Definition

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is a term that doctors use to describe patients who have congestive heart failure due to coronary artery disease.

"Ischemic" means that an organ (such as the heart) is not getting enough blood and oxygen. "Cardio" means heart and "myopathy" means muscle-related disease.

See also:

• Angina
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart failure

Symptoms

Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy usually have symptoms of angina and heart failure.

Symptoms of angina include:

• Chest pain that occurs behind the breastbone or slightly to the left of it. It may feel like tightness, heavy pressure, squeezing, or crushing pain. The pain may spread to the neck, jaw, back, shoulder, or arm.
• A feeling of indigestion or heartburn
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Nausea, vomiting, and cold sweats
• Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained tiredness after activity (more common in women)

Symptoms of heart failure usually develop slowly over time. However, sometimes symptoms start very suddenly and are severe. Common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath, especially with activity
• Shortness of breath that occurs after lying down for a while
• Cough
• Fatigue, weakness, faintness
• Swelling of the abdomen (in adults)
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling of feet and ankles (in adults)
• Pulse may feel irregular or rapid, or there may be a sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)

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