Is it possible to improve the performance and well being of a heart impaired with "cardiomyopathia dilatata" ?
402094
Dilated cardiomyopathy leads to heart enlargement and an overall decrease in efficiency of the pumping action of the heart. Clinically, it is one of the causes of congestive heart failure (CHF).\n\nThe topic is bit complicated, but both the treatment and the prognosis hinge on one thing: etiology (or what is the underlying cause of the dilation). Some common causes include ischemic heart disease (due to coronary blockages), hypertension, alcohol use, or genetics. Some less common causes include peripartum cardiomyopathy in women, autoimmune problems (like celiac sprue) and infections (HIV or viral myocarditis for example). I state these, because the corner stone of treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy is to address the underlying cardiac issue (by controlling hypertension, opening up the blockages, etc). \n\nAside from the optimization of the underlying cardiac problems, dilated cardiomyopathy merits specific medication regimen. I do not want to trivialize this question and would advise you to definitely work with your physician with respect to the exact nature of this regimen. In general, treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy involves careful titration of ace inhibitors (like lisnopril), beta blockers (carvidelol is preferred), diuretics and in some cases digoxin (for people with particulary poor pumping action of the heart). For blacks, hydralazine plus a nitrate drug combination has been shown more beneficial than for whites. The goal of titration of these medications is to make the patient comfortable with respect to common heart failure symptoms. The medicaitons also reduce mortality (with ACE inhibitors having most effect) Interestingly, cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of aerobicexcercise routines can also help.\n\nYou asked about prognosis. It also depends on etiology, but the mortality due to ischemic causes (most common; again due to blocked arteries...usually associated with prior heart attacks) has been shown to be about 50% at 10 years in a study of 1230 patients. Other etiologies carry other mortality percentages with some better and some (particularly HIV) worse prognosis. Proper long-term treatment reduces mortality significantly. \n\nOne final thought. If ejection fraction (EF) is below 35%, one may need an internal defibrillator device. That is a topic in itself...just ask your doctor about it. Hope that helps!
922620
My mother had severe lung problems all of her life. At 17, she  hemorraged so bad 1/2 of her left lung had to be taken out. She had a lung disease called bronchiestasis(spelling is Variable). She was told that she probably wouldn't live past forty. She went on to have five children, but did suffer constantly from her condition. She did live until she was 69. Many improvements and medical treatments have come along way in the treatment of many lung disorders. Yet, there is no cure for this disease.\nKnowing she had limited lung capacity, she did many things to try to improve her life. One thing that probably added a few more years to her life was to eliminate all aerosol usage. I built her a "clean" room that not only included ac/heat, but also air scrubbing using various filters and insuring that they were always clean.\nThere are some foods that are no-no's when it comes to taking oxygen right out of your system. It would be very beneficial to visit a lung doctor and get a good diet from him. There are also foods that enable you to produce more oxygen. It is going to tkae some \nself involvement and require you to make some adjustments to your life style, but you can help yourself a little. I hope these words are helpful nad know that you have someone who has travelled this road and knows of the problems and downfalls to not being able to get a good breath. Take care and God bless you.
1039395
Dear Greensomega,\nYou've certainly brought your medical concerns to the right place! The Y!A community members are fully aware of and do appreciate the intimate conditions involving your prognosis.\nMost recognized doctors in the field of medicine would employ a holistic approach to your ailment. Greensomega, please begin your day with a well balanced breakfast to include an ample portion of fruits and grains. After your morning routines are finished, enjoy a brisk walk around the block. If you happen to meet any stray dogs along the way, it would be a good idea to antagonize the creatures in order to add some vigor to your workout.\nNow Greensomega, the remaining portions of your day should be filled with interesting activities and new studies to keep your mind active and in balance, complimentary to what you have done with the physical side of yourself.\nAfter loitering around at the public library all afternoon with a bunch of smelly hobos, you can appreciate a warm bath and time to be good to yourself. Begin to collect an archive of various music genres that you can resolve one day to enjoy after you get the rest of your chores done.\nGreensomega, if after following my advice, simply take two aspirin and forget we ever had this little discussion.\nThank you, Greensomega. Have a great day!\nDr. Zealnik
581377
a more efficient heart
734793
my dad passed away when he was 42 from heart attack...\nso i share the same concern with you\n-first try to control the diet by reducing fat in it encourage  fruit and vegitble intake \n-by the age of 20 let them do lipid profile test to see the amount of fat in their bodies\n-avoid hypertension(don't add extra salt for their food)\n-avoid smoking\n-avoid alcohol \n-avoid obesity\n-do exercise \nwhat i want to tell you here is that for ischemic heart disease there are unmodified risk factors and modified risk factors \nunmodified it means that you can not change it as ;age,male gender,family history,race\nand the modified risk factors which i told you above how to beat\nwish you luck
914953
diet and exercise alone should be enough for a very mild version of disease, I would recommend you to consider systemic immuno suppresive therapy if symptoms are persisting or getting worse, good luck
1065723
This doesn't necessarily mean the MD  did anything wrong, and the minor blockages could potentially be problematic. It may not have been anything he could fix. There may be enough blood flow from the new grafts to give blood flow to the areas with the blockages. Im sure they have been advised of diet and lifestyle changes. Hopefully they are involved in a cardiac rehab program. My advise is to be as healthy as possible, now that they have new grafts to take care of, because it does mean that they wont clot off in the future. Good luck to you and your family.
801783
As someone who, like your friend, developed heart failure in middle age (I was 49 at the time), I can tell you that his life expectancy is directly related to how well he takes care of himself.  And that, of course, is bad news for your friend.\n\nAs you realize, he is doing everything wrong.  The shortness of breath would be relieved if he lost weight, gave up the cigarettes and dropped the sodium.  I don't know what medications he was prescribed, but probably at least one of them would help him shed the fluid that may be getting into his lungs and making it harder for him to breathe.  \n\nIt's no wonder he is always fatigued.  How would anyone feel if they have reduced heart function and reduced lung capacity?\n\nAs to his other meds, there are wonderful drugs now that can lighten the load on his heart and make it easier for the heart--the part that's still funtioning--to do its job.  If he doesn't take them, he is overstressing the working portion of his heart as it tries to do the job of the entire organ.  It can't, at least not without help.\n\nThe nausea is a very worrisome symptom.  That one suggests angina, which sometimes comes out that way.  His poor heart, overworked as it is, may be sending out distress signals which are perceived as nausea.  \n\nDepending on how much alcohol his is consuming, daily drinking may or may not be a problem.  One or two drinks a day (NO MORE, and NO doubles) actually seems to benefit the heart.  But some people think that if one is okay, four must be great.  It's not.  The beneficial aspects of alcohol completely reverse if you have more than about 2 drinks (just one for a woman).\n\nOverall, this man needs to go back to his doctor and lay all his cards on the table.  Could he be depressed and "giving up"?  That is very common with heart patients.  He needs to tell his doctor *everything* he is doing and not doing, and why.\n\nI believe that patients have rights, and so does your friend.  But he also has children, which means he has a responsibility to be around for them until they are well established on their own.  If he lets himself die while they are still young, they will never fully forgive him.  What's worse, he will have missed out on seeing them grow up, which one of the best parts of life.\n\nGood luck!!
568341
Yes. I was given 1-3 years to live almost 3 years ago with a terminal lung disease. Am on oxygen 24/7. Started Xango mangosteen juice Feb 21, 2006. Saw my doc yesterday and she is astounded at the changes in my condition. She bought a bottle herself for her Fibromyagia and for her son's allergies. This is a medical doctor who has an open mind - a rare breed indeed!\nsee www.carrcollins.com
592021
My husband has an ICD. After he recovered his doctor told him he could resume his usual activities as tolerated. Losing weight is a good idea. You should discuss types of exercise, frequency, etc. with your doctor. It won't do you any good if you push to far, too fast and hurt yourself. Then you would have to start all over after you've recovered.
423142
warming up exercises, a little jogging and walking..just to strengthen ur leg muscles again..\nthis would surely help.\nage is no barrier for what the heart truly wants..good luck,
254493
Sadly there is no "CURE"\n\n   The disorder isn't a disease.\n\n   There are advances in the technology available to increase his comfort, education, mobility, and in general his quality of life.\n\n   He will always be confined to many aspects of his condition, but depending on its severity, he can enjoy life, within a range that is comfortable for him.\n\n   I will keep him and your family in my prayers.\n\n   Love him as if nothing is wrong.\n\nRev. Steven
848417
Sure! You can do whatever kind of exercises you want. As long as you're not experiencing any weird heart problems (a possible side effect) you should be good to go. \n\nHere's a really good, to-the-point website on all sorts of meds. \n\nHope this helps!
454894
Find all the information you can about it that will show he can still live a productive life. Since it's a genetic disorder, does he have any relatives with it? More specifically parents? Are they still living. If so, you could perhaps point to them and remind him that they are still alive. Also, he is lucky it was discovered BEFORE he died of it. As long as they keep an eye on his heart and aorta, chances are very good for him. Did they start him on a beta blocker? The problem with that medication is sometimes it can cause depression. So, that will compound his worry over his condition. \n\nCheck out this website which I think is the BEST website about Marfan's. This is by a woman who has it. (Also her brother has it, and her father had it.) I think he will find encouragement there. Yes, people used to die from Marfan's in their 30s, but that was before they had treatment for it. \n\nI think you are a good friend to want to help your friend that way. Best of luck. I hope this helps.\n\nhttp://www.io.com/~cortese/marfan/
552959
It depends on how serious your MVP is. If you have palpitations or erratic heartbeat in addition to a heart murmur, it would be best to speak to your health practitioner before embarking on any exercise. Indeed, even if you don't have palpitations/erratic heartbeat, I would still speak to a health practitioner to find out what sort of exercise you can do, the duration and the intensity of working out, just to be on the safe side.
92271
Cardiomyopathy is a chronic and sometimes progressive disease in which the heart muscle (myocardium), is abnormally enlarged, thickened and/or stiffened. The condition typically begins in the walls of the heart's lower chambers (ventricles), and in more severe cases also affects the walls of the upper chambers (atria). The actual muscle cells as well as the surrounding tissues of the heart become damaged. Eventually, the weakened heart loses the ability to pump blood effectively and heart failure or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias or dysrhythmia) may occur. \n\nThe medication that she is being given is probably being used to help the heart contract or function better.   The medication being given by machine is just to make sure it isn't given too quickly because of how small your child is.\n\nIt is likely she will need some sort of medication the rest of her life.  If she is a candidate for a heart transplant, she will still need to be on some sort of medication the rest of her life.\n\nYou need to speak to your daughters Pediatrian or Cardiac Doctor if you have questions.  This site can't address these questions as well as he/she could for you.
1187746
Atrophy.\n\nExcercise prevents it.  Even modest resistance excercise (like weight lifting light weights.)\n\nElectrostimulation may help some too.