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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Cardiomyopathy and Congestive heart failure
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
Cardiomyopathy and Congestive heart failure
by Brenda, Dec 07, 2000 12:00AM
After a bout of viral pnuemonia, my 76 year old father was diagnosed with chf. Recently I took him to the E R for heart burn and discoloration of his hands. The doctor there said that he has irregular heart beats due to cardiomyopathy. Is this the same as the chf? If not, is this common to have both? What are some things I should watch for with the cardiomyopathy?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC, Dec 11, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Brenda,
Congestive heart failure describes a set of symptoms that includes shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling and congestion of the lungs. Cardiomyopathy is a cause of CHF and means "muscular dysfunction of the heart". There are several different types of cardiomyopathy the most common of which is ischemic cardiomyopathy. The main symptoms to watch for are an increase in fatigue or shortness of breath, an increase in swelling or rapid weight gain and difficulty lying flat. You should alert his doctor should he have any of these symptoms.
Congestive heart failure describes a set of symptoms that includes shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling and congestion of the lungs. Cardiomyopathy is a cause of CHF and means "muscular dysfunction of the heart". There are several different types of cardiomyopathy the most common of which is ischemic cardiomyopathy. The main symptoms to watch for are an increase in fatigue or shortness of breath, an increase in swelling or rapid weight gain and difficulty lying flat. You should alert his doctor should he have any of these symptoms.
